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As we begin a new era at UNC Kenan-Flagler, our core vision is to be a leading, global professional school of business as we continue our rise to the top echelon of the world’s business schools. Together with the wonderful support of alumni, friends of the school, foundations and corporate supporters, we can pursue opportunities that will lead to even greater achievements for Kenan-Flagler.
While most schools have leadership programs, Kenan-Flagler’s Leadership Initiative is a distinctive point of advantage for our school and students and has the potential to be the best in the world. Our hands-on approach helps students assess and develop their leadership skills to better prepare them for business careers. The program exposes the students to leadership principles, inside and outside the classroom, and then gives each student the opportunity to practice leadership in meaningful, real-world situations and simulations.
Whether the training revolves around classes for all student-elected leaders or student consulting projects for companies across North Carolina, our students learn how to become successful as the next generation of business leaders around the globe. As we continue to expand this initiative during the next few years, we will offer new opportunities to BSBA students and tap into our corporate and military connections as we train our students to be effective leaders. In the spring of 2009 the school also introduced a one-of-a-kind Leadership Immersion experience for graduating MBA students.
Enhanced Technology
Over the past twenty years, an explosion of new technology has changed not only the way we live but the way we learn. Students today grew up with technology, and for them, it’s not exotic – it’s expected. Although the school has made progress in incorporating some of these features into our educational programs, the creation rate of new ideas in technology is greater than the rate at which we’ve been able to use them.
We are currently performing an assessment of new technologies available to enhance student learning and which of those can have the most impact at Kenan-Flagler. Examples may include web and video conferencing, podcast lectures and the use of more sophisticated business simulation systems. A wealth of technology is available, and students are increasingly demanding it.
Globalization
Kenan-Flagler has come a long way in the area of globalization during the past 10 years, but as we move forward we must continue to build the school’s presence and brand around the world. As we explore the possibilities of establishing more joint programs and pilot projects in areas such as China, Africa and the Middle East, private funding will be necessary to cover travel and start-up expenses.
Additional funding is also needed as we work toward our goal of providing every student with the opportunity to study or travel abroad. These firsthand cultural experiences help students become much more effective as they begin their careers. It is critical that we enhance our global image in order to be considered a top business school in the future.
Research Impact
At Kenan-Flagler our faculty is known for publishing research in top academic journals, but the impact doesn’t stop there. Our goal is for business leaders and policymakers to see the school as a source of innovative ideas for business practice.
Ultimately, we want to research and teach issues that are going to be relevant in the real world.
This will greatly benefit the school in the long-term as the competition for talented professors, researchers and students continues to rise. Kenan-Flagler needs to be competitive with any school in the world. Impactful research not only builds our brand but also attracts future students and faculty to the school.
One University
As the university and number of students continue to grow, our goal is to keep Kenan-Flagler connected and engaged with the rest of campus. As part of this effort to bring the business school closer to the university and vice versa, we want to increase the number of students who minor in business.
Expanding our business minor program will enable more UNC students to pursue a liberal arts or science-based education and still get a firm grounding in business, which makes good sense to students as well as corporate recruiters. By creating new joint degree programs at UNC and with other universities, Kenan-Flagler can collaborate more effectively across campus to ensure that students get the business background they need to be successful in their areas.
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