UNCW MBA Students and Small Businesses to Benefit from Organizational Shift
5/13/2004 8:51:57 AM
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Starting this May, MBA students at the UNCW Cameron School of Business will experience an array of real world learning experiences by working with small businesses who receive counseling and educational experiences through the Small Business and Technology Development Center, hosted at UNCW. An organizational restructuring moves the SBTDC from the Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies into the Cameron School of Business.
Wilmington, N.C. – Students and small businesses will both benefit from an organizational restructuring that reflects UNC Wilmington’s increased emphasis on the economic development of Southeastern North Carolina.
As part of her commitment to improving the quality of life for citizens of this region, Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo has been reviewing how people experience UNCW’s expertise and leadership in their daily lives.
Much of UNCW’s outreach has been managed by the Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies. With the search underway for a new vice chancellor for this unit, DePaolo is evaluating the programs and structure of the division and seeking to strengthen and more closely align its work with the mission of the university.
DePaolo tapped Dr. Robert E. Tyndall, associate provost and vice chancellor for information technology systems, to conduct a thorough review of the division and provide recommendations to make sure every resource is being used strategically. The alliance of SBTDC and the Cameron School of Business was one of the major actions to come from the review and is effective immediately.
“To ensure that our institution remains strong, the people of our region must not only understand the important role our university plays as a learning center, they must also experience the impact of the knowledge, creativity and civic commitment of our faculty and students in their daily lives,” DePaolo said.
“We plan to become more focused, streamlined and purposeful in what we do, particularly in the area of economic development,” she said. “UNCW has one of the best Small Business and Technology Development Centers in the state, offering management counseling and educational services to small, mid-sized, and start-up businesses.
“Moving the SBTDC into the Cameron School of Business will better leverage the skills and knowledge of business faculty and students in collaborative efforts to serve small businesses in southeastern North Carolina.”
This new structure will integrate real world learning into business programs and engage faculty and students in the public outreach component of economic development.
Beginning with the incoming MBA class that will start in May, students will work in teams with different SBTDC small business clients as a part of a new MBA Learning Alliance Program under the guidance of Dr. Vince Howe, MBA director.
Cameron School of Business Dean Larry Clark said, “This transition provides great practical experience for our students, as well as providing a unique service to the regional and local communities. Cameron School of Business has served this university and community for 25 years. This partnership will be another way we can keep our students in touch with the needs of the business community.”
Leslie Langer, SBTDC director, says the initial client feedback is extremely positive. “The selected clients welcome the anticipated enthusiasm, knowledge and insights of the MBA students. It is definitely a win, win situation for all, including the SBTDC.”
New business start-up and business growth lead to job creation, revenue generation and wealth accumulation for entrepreneurs in southeastern North Carolina, Langer noted. She said the staff of the SBTDC looks forward to a strong partnership with the Cameron School of Business.
UNCW’s SBTDC is a part of the University of North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center network. The state network provides management counseling and educational services to small and mid-sized businesses throughout North Carolina from 17 offices across the state, each affiliated with a college or university. The network mission is to help North Carolina businesses grow and create new jobs within the state. Most SBTDC services are free of charge, and all SBTDC services are confidential. The SBTDC will continue to be located at 5051 New Centre Drive.
Last year, the SBTDC provided more than 3,300 hours of counseling services to 550 businesses in the seven-county region. Its clients received $2.3 million in financing, creating or retaining 75 jobs, and as a result of its efforts, clients in eastern North Carolina received more than $184 million in government contracts.
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For more information, contact Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo at 910/962-3030; Dr. Robert E. Tyndall at 910/962-3888; Cameron School of Business Dean Larry Clark at 910/962-7301; Dr. Vince Howe at 910/962-3882; and Ms. Leslie Langer at 910/962-4248.
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