UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School was honored for its commitment to creating and incubating cutting-edge business innovations and fostering entrepreneurship in the next generation of business leaders by the AACSB International (AACSB), the world’s largest global education network.
The AACSB recognized UNC Kenan-Flagler for its Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, which leads the School’s action-based and experiential learning in entrepreneurship and bridges the gap between academia and practice.
“For more than 20 years we provided entrepreneurial education and today we are developing leaders who are the founders, funders and executives who grow enterprises,” said Douglas A. Shackelford, dean of UNC Kenan-Flagler.
“Our mission is to prepare future business leaders to have the entrepreneurial skillset and mindset to transform the future of the economic landscape and to have impact throughout their careers in leadership roles initiating ventures and driving existing enterprises,” said Ted Zoller, director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and T.W. Lewis Clinical Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship. “Our programs combine leading pedagogy with streetwise experience to prepare our students to go the distance in their entrepreneurial careers.”
AACSB’s Entrepreneurship Spotlight Challenge highlights AACSB-accredited schools that deliver innovative and creative best practices through entrepreneurship programs and centers. Central to the challenge was uncovering schools’ unique approaches to engaging the business community, expanding the reach of education beyond the classroom and positively impacting society.
“UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School is being recognized this year in AACSB’s Entrepreneurial Spotlight Challenge for its commitment to fostering in its students the creativity, problem solving, and innovative mindset required of future business leaders,” said Thomas R. Robinson, AACSB International president and chief executive officer. “Core to AACSB’s mission is ensuring that the future of business education is built on innovative and cutting-edge thinking, exemplified by UNC Kenan-Flagler, which we are proud to showcase.”
UNC Kenan-Flagler is one of 35 business schools around the globe to earn the distinction. A total of 120 nominations were submitted by AACSB-accredited schools across 34 countries, all of which highlighted unique approaches to fostering and developing entrepreneurship in undergraduate and graduate students. Nominations were reviewed by a panel of corporate leaders from a variety of disciplines, including venture capital, consulting and accounting.