Raising the (Business) Bar: How Dr. Andy Tiger is Reimagining Business Education at UMHB

RAISING THE STANDARD

One of Tiger’s most ambitious goals is pursuing accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), a distinction held by fewer than 6 percent of business schools worldwide.

“That’s the highest global standard for business schools. Just being in candidacy is a distinctive,” he said.

While the process can take several years, Tiger emphasizes that the impact begins immediately. Accreditation signals rigor, quality and competitiveness, which would place UMHB alongside top-tier institutions.

“If you said, ‘What could you do that would increase enrollment and that would help with fundraising?’ The number one thing I would say is to earn AACSB accreditation,” he said.

For students, that means a degree with growing national – and global – credibility.

THE LANGUAGE OF BUSINESS

While AACSB represents an external benchmark, Tiger is equally focused on internal transformation, starting with one of the most practical tools in business: Microsoft Excel.

“Having Microsoft Excel skills is the most important thing that students need to be able to do,” Tiger said. “We need our UMHB business students to be the best Excel person wherever they work.”

Tiger has rewritten the curriculum for incoming students to take a fully Excel-focused course in their first year, followed by an analytics course built on those same skills. Along the way, they’ll have the opportunity to earn Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification at no cost.

“We want all our students to have the MOS Excel specialist before they graduate,” Tiger said.

Despite years of predictions that Excel’s relevance would fade, the software program is still a powerhouse in daily business and continues to evolve by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), predictive analytics and advanced modeling capabilities.

“As long as we stay current in what we’re teaching, being an expert in Excel will give students a tool that will set them apart,” Tiger said.

SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION

Named for the family of Elizabeth and Drayton McLane Jr., who is well known as a global leader in logistics and distribution, the McLane College of Business is doubling down on its namesake’s legacy by expanding its supply chain program with cutting-edge technology. A key component of this effort is introducing simulation software that allows students to model real-world systems, from fast food lines to hospital logistics networks.

“This is a differentiator,” Tiger said, pointing out that very few schools the size of UMHB have this software. “To find this type of technology, you’d have to go to a much larger school.”

The software enables students to create “digital twins,” or virtual replicas of real systems where they can test strategies, analyze outcomes and make data-driven decisions without real-world risk.

“Simulation allows you to be innovative and an out-of-the-box thinker,” Tiger said. “We’re creating tools for students to be innovative and be able to do it in a way that’s cheap.”

In a region where distribution centers and logistics hubs are rapidly expanding, the timing couldn’t be better.

“Supply chain management is a big thing that is only going to continue to grow as populations increase,” he said. And while artificial intelligence is transforming the field, Tiger is quick to point out that the human element remains essential.

“Distribution and moving products around the world still ultimately needs a physical aspect to that,” he said. “AI will help us, but it won’t replace us.”

REAL MONEY, REAL EXPERIENCE

Inside the classroom, Tiger is also expanding hands-on learning opportunities. One example is how he converted the student-managed investment fund, which was backed by a generous donor several years ago, from a student organization into a class requirement tied to a grade, encouraging deeper engagement and better results.

“This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to buy and sell,” he said.

That emphasis on experiential learning is also shaping Tiger’s vision for the future of the McLane College of Business.

Looking ahead, he hopes to launch several high-energy initiatives designed to engage not only business students, but the broader campus community as well. One idea is a campus-wide Shark Tank-style business pitch competition modeled after successful programs at other universities. Open to students from any major, the competition would culminate in live pitches before judges from the local business community.

“This event has a lot of high energy, a lot of cheering and clapping,” he said.

Tiger is also exploring the creation of a finance trading lab designed to mirror professional trading environments, complete with live data feeds and advanced software.

“If you walk into a business college, what is the one thing that would make you think, ‘Oh, I’m in the business college?’” he asked. “A trading lab.”

LEARNING THAT LASTS

Tiger’s path to UMHB combines an extensive history of industry experience and academic leadership. Before joining UMHB, he served at Angelo State University for seven years, including three years as department chair of the College of Business and four years as dean, where he led academic strategy, faculty development and program growth.

Professionally, Tiger brings a strong background in industrial engineering, supply chain systems and quantitative analytics. His experience includes work at 3M, where he gained hands-on experience in large-scale manufacturing and operations, followed by roles in supply chain software development at Chesapeake Decision Sciences and consulting with AspenTech. He also worked at Ernest and Julio Gallo, where he developed advanced optimization models for complex production planning across hundreds of products and multiple production lines. He uses this experience to teach his students how to use analytics to solve large-scale operational problems and free people to focus on more creative and strategic tasks.

Tiger is also known for his research in golf pace-of-play modeling, working with organizations like the USGA to analyze how course design, player behavior and policy decisions impact the flow of play in professional tournaments.

Across his academic appointments at Texas A&M University, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Union University, Angelo State and UMHB, Tiger has emphasized blending theory with real-world application, focusing on developing students’ technical and quantitative skills while helping them understand how those tools are used in practice.

He says working at Union, a small Christian institution in Tennessee, left a lasting impression on him and was one of the reasons he wanted to return to a faith-based university setting. When that opportunity came at UMHB, he was thrilled because it is also the alma mater of his daughter, Josephine “Jo” Tiger ’23, who works as an acute care nurse at Baylor Scott & White in Temple.

Together, all Tiger’s experiences shape his mission at UMHB, which is to prepare students with strong analytical skills, practical insight and a purpose-driven mindset grounded in both professional excellence and Christian values.

“You want a professor to blend their theory with some practical knowledge,” he said. “You want to be able to have the students appreciate how it’s used in the real world.”

A DISTINCTIVE FUTURE

As Central Texas continues to grow, so does the opportunity for UMHB students to step into meaningful, impactful careers. With new programs, enhanced technology, and a clear vision for excellence, the McLane College of Business is positioning itself as a leader in the region and beyond.

But for Tiger, success isn’t measured by rankings or recognition alone.

“I want to do something where Drayton McLane Jr. is proud to put his name on it,” he said.

And perhaps most importantly, it’s about preparing students to use their gifts with purpose.

“We can free people up to do things that God made us good at,” Tiger said, “like being creative.”