Wake Forest University School of Business joins more than 45 business schools at the White House
Best practices affirmed to promote female and family-friendly policies for business education and business
(Winston-Salem, N.C., August 5, 2015) Today, Wake Forest University School of Business is honored to attend a convening at the White House hosted by the White House Council on Women and Girls and the Council of Economic Advisers. Charles Iacovou, Sisel Distinguished Dean of the School of Business, was present to affirm the School’s commitment to the changing needs of the market place.
“This convening provides a most meaningful opportunity for leaders of industry and education to conceive a fresh approach to graduate business education and leadership to reflect the changing dynamics of the workforce,” Iacovou said. “With our emphasis on pre-experiential and flexible working professional graduate programs, Wake Forest is a national leader in defining, not just following, best practices in this area.”
The convening focuses on opportunities for business schools and the business community to collaborate on adapting to the changing needs of the workforce by expanding opportunity for women in business. Bringing together leaders from the business and business school communities along with other stakeholders, the group meets for an impactful conversation on recruiting, training, and retaining leaders for the 21st-century workplace and the importance of implementing policies that work for families.
The School joined more than 45 business schools in committing to a set of best practices to build a business school experience that prepares women for the workforce of tomorrow. A White House fact sheet offers more information. These best practices focus on four key areas:
· Ensuring access to business schools and business careers
· Building a business school experience that prepares students for the workforce of tomorrow
· Ensuring career services that go beyond the needs of traditional students
· Exemplifying how organizations should be run
As enrollment figures from the most recent academic year show, the School is dedicated to leading in this area. In 2014-15, pre-experience programs like undergraduate were 47% female, Master of Arts in Management (MA) students reached 42% and Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) students reached 50% female enrollment. Our graduate programs for working professionals ranged from 27% to 32% female students.
“Our leadership in this area has given us a good foundation,” Iacovou said. “Our incoming class enrollments show the trajectory for female students continues to rise. Our new class of MA students, which began just four weeks ago, has not only expanded in overall enrollment, but grew seven points to 49% female. We are proud of the work we have done and are ready for additional challenges as we affirm these commitments.”
Media contact: Stephanie Skordas at 336.758.4098 or skordas@wfu.edu.
