Make summer matter.
Interested in business?
Want to start a company or become an entrepreneur?
Getting ready for college?
If you’re a rising high school junior or senior with an interest in business, consider the Tar Heel Business Academy. This pre-college academy is an outstanding opportunity for you to develop important critical thinking and leadership skills. You’ll work with your classmates on dynamic projects for a real company and apply goal-setting lessons that will help you plan for the college application process.
You’ll learn important business concepts from world-class professors from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. At the end of the week, you’ll finish with a presentation to your “client” – and receive a Recognition of Achievement and a group photo – and leave the Academy prepared to take the business world by storm!
Program details
Business Essentials Cost: $2,995 includes course fees and lunch/snacks |
Start your application!Our next application deadline is January 5. All applicants meeting the priority deadline will be notified of decisions by January 23. |
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What you’ll learn
At the Tar Heel Business Academy, you’ll explore the business world – and have a fun time doing so!
Knowledge is power.
You’ll be introduced to key business topics through real-world applications, case studies and group projects. This new knowledge will prepare you for a wide range of careers in business and beyond. In addition, throughout the program, your professors will provide guidance on how to use generative AI to amplify your creativity.
Put it into practice.
You’ll work with your classmates and professors to produce and present a project for an entrepreneurial leader from the area. This practical experience will help you succeed in college and later when you enter the professional world.
The soft skills that matter most.
You’ll develop critical teamwork, presentation and networking skills that will make you an impressive leader, further strengthening your resume for college and job applications.
Advice for your future.
You’ll learn more about academic journeys from your teaching assistants, who are students or recent graduates from UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Undergraduate Business Program, and career paths from executive guest speakers and entrepreneurs.
The course
Business Essentials: Core Skills for Future Leaders
July 20-24 in Chapel Hill
Learn about five important areas of business – strategy, finance, marketing, operations and leadership. Then, use what you’ve learned to become a consultant, helping a real company solve a real business challenge. You’ll also learn how to use AI as a thought partner, working with cutting-edge tools like ChatGPT, Copilot and data analytics platforms to make smart decisions, create impressive presentations and prepare for college and beyond!
Program highlights and benefits
The Tar Heel Business Academy is an exciting, weeklong experience that will introduce you to the college experience.
Experience a “college” classroom.
You’ll learn from professors who teach undergraduate and graduate students at UNC Kenan-Flagler and experience the rigor and engagement of a dynamic college-level course.
Learn from business leaders.
You’ll meet executives from major companies who work in the same areas that you’ll study, giving you a chance to learn about possible career paths. Last year, we were joined by leaders from Coca-Cola Consolidated, Wells Fargo, the Charlotte Hornets, Wray Ward (an advertising agency), and McKinsey (a business consulting firm).
Make new friends and learn new skills.
No matter which program you choose, you’ll build new relationships and add new skills that you can tap into for years to come.
Create something real.
You’ll help an actual company tackle an actual problem. You’ll have something impressive to call your own and to talk about in your college applications.
Program agenda
Each day begins with a look at the day’s agenda.
From Monday to Thursday, you will tackle different business topics with overview discussions, a review of real-world applications and related case studies, team-building exercises, time to work on team projects, coaching sessions with the professors and visits from local entrepreneurs and business leaders.
On Friday, you and your team members will present your projects and receive valuable feedback on your work from your peers, the professors, and your client. Prizes will be awarded for the best ideas and delivery.
Throughout the week, you’ll also explore topics related to collaboration and teamwork and participate in a variety of exercises that will help you put those skills to work!
“The Academy connected us with sharp, motivated students. Their marketing and strategy ideas were practical and inspiring and their insights are helping shape Eden’s real-world rollout.”
Meet the instructors
Chip Snively (Business Essentials)
Professor Chip Snively teaches various courses in finance, including investments, corporate finance, and a personal finance class for all students at Carolina. He teaches primarily in the undergraduate program, but also the Master’s programs and UNC Executive Development. Prior to teaching, Professor Snively worked for Intel in various senior management roles, including running manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, China and Puerto Rico and at American Airlines. He received his MBA from Indiana’s Kelley School of Business and an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Kentucky.
> Read Professor Snively’s full bio.
Karin Cochran (Business Essentials)
Professor Karin Cochran teaches courses in consulting and leads the STAR program, where students consult on projects for real companies around the world. She previously served as chief deputy secretary for the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which oversees agencies that manage the state zoo, state parks and aquariums, as well as many history and art museums and libraries. As a management consultant for Deloitte, Professor Cochran also worked on numerous mergers and acquisitions, healthcare initiatives and significant IT implementation projects. She received her MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler and her undergraduate degree in Asian studies from Hamilton College.
Frequently asked questions