In the spring, Liberty University will pilot its first course in automotive dealership management, thanks to a partnership with Hendrick Automotive Group, the nation’s largest privately held automotive retail organization. Liberty plans to offer a full specialization next fall, under its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Dan DeHass, executive general manager for Mall of Georgia Mazda, Mall of Georgia MINI and Rick Hendrick Buick GMC, said there is a ‘giant void’ for educating students in automotive dealership management and that most college students may not realize the ‘unbelievable opportunities within the industry.’ Only two other colleges in the nation have these programs, even though the U.S. has the second-largest automotive industry in the world (behind China). Students will be trained in managing a dealership as well as how to adapt to technology in an ever-changing marketplace. ‘The purpose is building future owners of dealerships,’ Hicks said. ‘If we can get students to think like owners and to learn the business that well, they are going to make phenomenal employees and, potentially, owners.’ Hendrick Automotive Group is working with Liberty to develop the curriculum, and some of its employees will contribute to course instruction, including prerecorded and live videos. The North Carolina-based automotive company has an extensive training program in place, which will be incorporated into expanding Liberty’s curriculum.(Liberty University)(11-28-2016)
