STAR - Student Teams Achieving Results - Leadership Development

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UNC Kenan-Flagler's Student Teams Achieving Results program, or STAR, is a hands-on learning program in which students learn by doing as they take on the role of consultants to real companies. We are redefining the boundaries of consulting and education as we execute a relentless pursuit of learning and business impact. Our goal is become the premier project-based learning experience – internationally recognized by students and clients alike.

STAR sends teams of top MBAs and Undergraduates to build comprehensive and actionable strategies for corporations and not-for-profit organizations seeking to strengthen their competitiveness. Teams are typically comprised of 5-7 students, undergraduates and MBAs (with one of the MBAs serving as the Project Leader). All teams are guided by both a faculty advisor with significant business consulting/corporate experience and an executive from the client organization.

Mission

Our mission is to build the leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills of participating students by providing real clients with fact-based, actionable recommendations that will make substantial improvements in their organization's performance.

STAR sets itself apart from other programs due to the combination of three distinctive elements:

Talented Student Consultants — from UNC Kenan—Flagler and the top global business schools;
Experienced Consulting Faculty — from major consulting firms and Fortune 50 companies; and
Proven Methodologies — state of the art tools, including the best-selling TEAM FOCUS model.

Vision

We seek to become the premier experiential learning program at the Kenan-Flagler Business School and the best in the country.

Benefits

We offer the following key benefits to our two key constituents – students and clients.

Students	Clients
Brings business school courses to life Teaches integration of key analytical frameworks Builds two types of leadership skills: thought and people leadership Adds relevant experience to the resume Provides potential placement with client organizations	Provides fresh ideas from the brightest young minds in the world Offers dedicated analytical review on key strategic issues Ensures quality advice by partners with significant consulting/business experience Affords direct recruiting access Saves significant cost as compared to traditional consulting services

Clients

Shown below are a few examples of recent STAR clients.

History

While experiential learning and company-based projects have been a part of UNC Kenan-Flagler for over 20 years, the formal STAR program launched in 2005. Our goal for 2011-2012 is to complete 32 projects -16 domestic business projects and 16 global business projects.

Major Milestones:

Student Teams Achieving Results launches in Spring 2005
Dr. Lynne Gerber is appointed Director of STAR, expands offering to Spring and Fall semesters
Global Business Project Consortium launches in 2008, with students from 13 universities
July 2011, Dr. Paul Friga becomes Director of STAR Domestic Business Projects; the Global Business Project (GBP) moves under the STAR umbrella, with Dr. Lynne Gerber continuing as Director of STAR Global

People

Leadership

Dr. Paul Friga, Director of STAR Domestic Business Projects (DBP)

STAR Practice Leader – Knowledge Management
Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Author of The McKinsey Engagement
Director of Consulting Concentrations
20 years of academic and real world consulting experience (PwC and McKinsey)

Dr. Lynne Gerber, Director of STAR Global Business Projects (GBP)

STAR Practice Leader - Outcomes
Director of Action Learning at UNC Kenan-Flagler
Founder of the Global Business Projects and MBA Enterprise Corps
Former Director of UNC Kenan-Flagler CIBER Program
30+ years of higher education and action learning experience

Dr. Nick Didow, STAR Practice Leader, Marketing and Economic Development

Associate Professor of Marketing
Responsible for building out 20 for-profit and non-profit entities
Taught hundreds of marketing courses for more than 30 years at UNC Kenan-Flagler
Lead Faculty member in community and economic development
Kenan Institute – Faculty Fellow

Steve Jones, STAR Practice Leader, Strategy and Quality

Former UNC Kenan-Flagler Dean
Significant experience as a consultant (McKinsey) and corporate leadership (CEO of Suncorp Metway and ANZ-New Zealand)

Allyson Dyer
STAR DBP Program Manager and GBP Consortium Representative

Masters in Library Science from UNC
Background in technical services, research and business reference

Debbie Williams
STAR GBP Program Manager

Over 20 years of experience working with international programs, including MBA Enterprise Corps and Executive Development.

Faculty Advisors

Steve Beisser
Lisa Jones Christensen
Gary Clinton
Robert (Bob) Fellows
Pat Garner
Wendell Gilland
Meghan Gosk
Noel Greis
Kevin Leibel
Ann Maruchek
Shannon McKeen
Randy Myer
Stu Pearman
Dean Silverman
Thomas Stith
Lauren Whitehurst

Consulting Corps

The Consulting Corps, a group of MBA and undergraduate students, serve as the Student Executive Committee for STAR.

Jay Guadagna, Student Director (MBA 2012)
Heather Engel (BSBA 2013)
Ashley Fiala (BSBA 2012)
Haley Tan (BSBS 2012)

“STAR was a critical stepping stone in my preparation for entering the consulting world as it allowed me to put into action the concepts learned in the classroom.”

Brent Garber
KFBS MBA ‘11

Dr. Paul Friga, Director, STAR Domestic Business Projects

“We run STAR projects as if they were part of a management consulting firm. Our focus is on impact for clients and development of our students.”

Dr. Lynne Gerber, Director, STAR Global Business Projects

“STAR is intended to be the best in the business of experiential learning. Our success is determined by ensuring positive client and student outcomes.”

Marcel Apud, AGCO Corporation, Logistical Manager

“The same results as working with a professional consultant, but with a lot more fun and a special opportunity to teach and to be taught by young talents.”