Skip to content Skip to Programs Navigation
Full-Time MBA student panel discussion at Experience Weekend 2022

Inside UNC Kenan-Flagler

December 1 & 2, 2023 | Chapel Hill, NC

At UNC Kenan-Flagler, we believe that a diverse classroom leads to a stronger learning experience. We’re dedicated to ensuring that our graduates are equipped with the inclusive leadership skills required to recognize and manage bias in the workplace, lean into challenging conversations, and harness the power of diverse thought, experiences and perspectives.

This isn’t something we can do alone. That’s why we’re proud to invite prospective MBA students to join us for Inside UNC Kenan-Flagler in Chapel Hill. You’ll find an agenda specifically designed to give you insight into our Full-Time MBA program and participate in important conversations about inclusion in business. You’ll also have the chance to network with current students and hear from our expert admissions staff.

Registration for Inside UNC Kenan-Flagler 2023 is now closed. We encourage you to check out our events calendar for other opportunities to connect with our admissions team and UNC Kenan-Flagler community.

"There's a myth that UNC Kenan-Flagler is full of white men who used to work in banking and want to go into real estate. Sure, we have students with that background, but our MBA program is full of career switchers of every industry, every work experience, every demographic, and every personal journey. The reason UNC Kenan-Flagler is so collaborative is because many of us have a background different than the subjects we are learning about, so we aren't afraid to ask questions and push our boundaries. In the end, this helps us grow from each other's experiences."

Olivia Koziol (MBA '20)

2023 Keynote Speaker: Lance Bennett

Lance Bennett smiles at the camera. His a black man with a short grey beard and glasses with clear frames. He is wearing a black suit with white shirt and striped pocket squareLance Bennett is the Founder and Managing Partner of L.E.B. Partners where their work is to promote and build inclusivity in the spaces they occupy. His company has worked with a number of top business schools around the country, companies in the private sector, Not for Profits and the military. He is also an MBA Prep Coach for Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), working with a cohort of MBA ready People of Color guiding them through the MBA admissions process. Prior to MLT, Lance was the Director of Diversity Admissions at the Kellogg School of Management and served on Kellogg’s Inclusion Coalition and Co-President of the African-American Employee Resource Group.

In 2003, Lance was certified as an internal Diversity Consultant, facilitating diversity workshops and consulting on diversity initiatives with senior leadership at the former Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo). Lance is known for his passion for helping others and his ability to build and foster relationships across a wide spectrum of identity groups.


2023 Event Agenda

Please note that the agenda is subject to change.

Friday, December 1

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Inside UNC Kenan-Flagler Check-in
Location: Kenan Center Lobby
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Welcome Lunch and Opening Remarks
Location: Kenan Center Dining Room
Speaker: Sarah Perez, Associate Dean, MBA Programs

Kick-off Inside UNC Kenan-Flagler with a warm and inspiring welcome from Sarah Perez, Associate Dean of MBA Programs. Sarah will set the tone for a weekend dedicated to celebrating diversity, fostering inclusivity, and embracing the rich tapestry of our Carolina community.
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Interactive Workshop: "Unconscious Bias: Recognizing and Overcoming"
Presented by 2023 keynote speaker Lance Bennett
3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Coffee Break
3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Student Panel: "Voices of Experience: MBA Student Life”

In this session, a panel of current MBA students will share their unique journeys and experiences in the program. Prospective candidates can gain valuable insights into the school's inclusive environment and learn how different perspectives contribute to a rich academic and social experience.
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Welcome Happy Hour at The Ackland Art Museum
101 S. Columbia St. Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Unlock the secrets to fostering a supportive and collaborative community at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Join us for a happy hour that brings together our current MBA students from a diverse array of affinity clubs and learn more about the student experience.

Saturday, December 2

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Grab and go breakfast
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Mock Class
11:00 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Coffee Break
11:10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Breakout sessions (choose one)
These breakout sessions will help youu gain a deeper understanding of offerings at UNC Kenan-Flagler, while also providing an opportunity to connect with current students and alumni and learn from their experiences. Choose a session that interests you most!

Promoting Wellness in an MBA Program
Location: McColl Classroom 2000
Facilitator: Karina Tates, Student Wellness Coach

Holistic wellness and prioritizing mental health are critical to success in your professional and personal life. At times, it can become challenging to identify what areas of our wellness need some TLC. In this session, we will explore the dimensions of wellbeing, and how each contributes to us being our whole, and most balanced selves. Participants will have the opportunity to play Wellness Bingo and win a prize!


Transitioning Military Experience to Business School Success
Location: McColl Classroom 2600

Hear from MBA students as they share insight on their transition to the MBA program, including finding community and utilizing resources, and how their military experience prepared them for success in the program and beyond.


Women’s Roundtable
Location: McColl Classroom 2650
Panelists:
Shellon Blanchard-Clarke (MBA ‘20), Founder & CEO, Human Ingenuity Advisors, LLC
Jasmine Terry (MBA ’21), Senior Lead Analytics Consultant, Wells Fargo
Phoebe T. Thermitus (MBA ’19), Vice President, Digital Solutions, Fidelity Investments

Listen to the insights of accomplished UNC Kenan-Flagler alumnae as they share their perspectives on the importance of advocacy and mentorship in today's workplace. Discover how these successful women navigated their distinctive paths as business professionals and utilized their UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA in the process.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 pm. Lunch with UNC Staff and MBA Students
Location: Kenan Center Dining Room
1:10 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Modeling Citizenship at Kenan-Flagler
Location: McColl Classrooms 2000 & 2050
Facilitators:
Cliff Parker, Assistant Director of Student Engagement, MBA Program
Jasmine Suitt, Senior Associate Director of Student Engagement

Explore the essence of Kenan-Flagler community membership and active citizenship in our MBA community; the Full-Time MBA Student Engagement team is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment rooted in our core values, delving into the meaning of citizenship and emphasizing the importance of valuing diversity in an interactive session where we challenge your capacity to integrate and leverage diverse thoughts, experiences, and perspectives, offering insights into Student Engagement at Kenan-Flagler and shaping your MBA experience into a transformative adventure through collaborative problem-solving.
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Admissions Workshop: Become the Admissions Committee
Location: Kenan Center Dining Room
Facilitators:
Lica Hertz, Associate Director, MBA Admissions
Nicole Wilhite, Associate Director, MBA Admissions

Ever wondered what happens behind the closed doors of an MBA admissions committee? Join us for a unique opportunity to get an insider's perspective in our "Inside the Admissions Committee" workshop. In this interactive session, you will have an opportunity to take a seat at the table and help build a class of MBA students. Here is your chance to learn firsthand the factors considered in an admissions process and see what it is like to evaluate candidates.
Registration for Inside UNC Kenan-Flagler 2023 is now closed. We encourage you to check out our events calendar for other opportunities to connect with our admissions team and UNC Kenan-Flagler community.

Optional: Alpha Challenge

The Alpha Challenge is one of the world’s premier MBA investment pitch competitions. Inside UNC Kenan-Flagler participants are invited to observe the Alpha Challenge, where students from top MBA programs pitch investment management solutions to a panel of distinguished judges.

If you are planning to attend, please email Pramita_Saha@kenan-flagler.unc.edu for more details. The Alpha Challenge will be held at the Carolina Inn (211 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516).

Thursday, November 30
1:00 p.m. | Credit Finals, Chancellor’s Ballroom
3:20 p.m. | Equity Finals, Hill Ballroom

Friday, December 1
10:15 a.m. | Casual conversations with Pramita Saha, Center for Excellence in Investment Management, email Pramita to schedule a chat
11:00 a.m. | Investment lessons learned: Stories from the trenches, Alumni room