AACSB and UNC Kenan-Flagler Partner to Design Leadership Simulation

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School have partnered to create a unique leadership simulation to help business school students develop essential leadership skills for the workplace.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121003/DC85432LOGO )

"Leadership programs are becoming an increasingly important feature of business programs today," said John J. Fernandes, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International. "Business schools are working to meet the demand for graduates who understand the responsibilities of leadership and can inspire, influence, and guide their colleagues."

'Up Your Game: A Leadership Challenge' is a custom simulation tool designed by UNC Kenan-Flagler and AACSB to help business schools enhance their leadership programs by testing students' readiness to demonstrate their capacity for leadership and assume responsibility.

The partnership came about after UNC Kenan-Flagler participated in AACSB's Redesigning the MBA Symposium and Curriculum Development Seminars in 2011 and 2012. The two organizations realized they could broaden their impact by creating and offering a simulation free of charge to AACSB member schools.

"AACSB and UNC Kenan-Flagler share the common goal of engaging schools that have a strong interest in leadership development in on-going conversations about best practices," said James W. Dean Jr., dean of UNC Kenan-Flagler. "Every time we benchmark with another school, we learn something valuable in return. The most successful businesses track the best practices used by other firms – whether public or private, small or large – and look for ways to adopt them to improve their own organizations. As business schools, we are fortunate to be part of a community that values the sharing of research and best practices."

Building on that partnership, AACSB and UNC Kenan-Flagler will host the Curriculum Development for Leadership Seminar on January 14, 2013, and a 'Train-the-Trainer' workshop addressing the practical use of the simulation will be offered January 15, 2013, both at UNC Kenan-Flagler's Rizzo Executive Conference Center in Chapel Hill. The seminar explores effective ways to enhance leadership development activities by leveraging ongoing student experiences, existing resources and the schools' unique capabilities.

The simulation includes a self-assessment workbook for students to complete after the simulation, which assists facilitators with feedback. "These tools complement UNC Kenan-Flagler's model for developing leaders: principles, practice, feedback and reflection," said Mindy Storrie, director of leadership development at UNC Kenan-Flagler. The simulation, student workbook and a simulation manual for educators are available through the AACSB Exchange, and AACSB members can access the simulation if unable to attend the workshop.

About AACSB International

AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), founded in 1916, is an association of more than 1,300 educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations in 83 countries and territories. AACSB's mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership, and value-added services. As the premier accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting, the association also conducts a wide array of conferences and seminar programs at locations throughout the world. AACSB's global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida, USA and its Asia Pacific headquarters is located in Singapore.

About UNC Kenan-Flagler

UNC Kenan-Flagler is known for a collaborative culture that stems from our core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork. Professors' unparalleled dedication to teaching and research create extraordinary learning experiences that prepare students and executives to excel in a global environment. Graduates are known for quantitative skills and effective, principled leadership – results-driven leaders who make business an engine for positive global change.

For more information, please visit: www.aacsb.edu or www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu.

SOURCE University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School