Dean’s Fellows: A chance to lead and give back

Susan Hedglin (MBA ’17) with classmates.

Dean’s Fellows have the opportunity to give back to UNC Kenan-Flagler through a mini consulting engagement. These projects, called Dean’s Fellows Projects, tackle issues that the Dean has identified as priorities for the School.

Past Dean’s Fellows Project teams have provided recommendations on increasing sustainability-related programs, expanding outreach to women MBA applicants, improving alumni outreach, expanding global business programs and creating new concentrations and focus areas. Many of these proposals have been implemented at UNC Kenan-Flagler.

Here are a few of the many takeaways I’ve learned from my time as a Dean’s Fellow Project team leader.

The priorities are real and the solutions will make an impact.
These projects address priorities identified by our Dean. Research and proposals by Dean’s Fellow teams have led to the creation of several new programs at UNC Kenan-Flagler, including the MBA Healthcare Concentration – one of the most popular concentrations in the Business School. The Dean and other clients within the School count on us to provide realistic recommendations that they can actually implement.

It’s a great opportunity to lead and give back.
As a team leader, I am responsible for liaising with our clients within the School and managing the project workflow. I’m working with other Dean’s Fellows on my team to develop a research framework and identify solutions for our client, the Global Business Center. It’s a great opportunity to further develop my project management skills and give back to the School at the same time.

Dean’s Fellow Projects help you see a different side of the Business School.
As students, we often work in a bubble with other students and career services. I’ve enjoyed learning more about the administration, research and program development that goes on behind the scenes at School. My project has been an excellent opportunity to meet administrators that I would not normally work with and learn about an area that’s outside my comfort zone.

I’ve enjoyed working on my Dean’s Fellow Project, and I’m looking forward to delivering some actionable recommendations to the school.

By Susan Hedglin (MBA ’17)