The Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte has received a $250,000 grant from The Belk Foundation to support the creation of a comprehensive professional-development program for undergraduate business students.
The Belk Foundation gift, along with a $50,000 donation from Belk College alumnus Mark Doughton of Winston-Salem, N.C. and his wife Susan, will provide startup funding for the Student Center for Professional Development (SCPD).
"Employers are telling many business schools that while graduates have a solid understanding of business concepts, they often lack the practical professional knowledge and experiences they need to be successful in the workplace," said Belk College Dean Steven Ott. "The SCPD will allow the Belk College to provide our students with a broad yet individualized series of career development programs that will give them an advantage in the job market and enhance their value to their employer."
The Belk Foundation, a private family foundation, refined its mission in 2010 to focus on increasing the number of students who achieve on grade level and graduate from high school on time, with an intentional path forward. "With this investment in the Belk College, we seek to strengthen students’ abilities to continue on their intentional path toward a career in business," said Belk Foundation Board Chair Katie B. Morris. "We know how critical mentors and advisors are to all students and look forward to seeing how this individualized support will enhance the Belk College experience."
The SCPD will open in January with a pilot group of second-semester freshman who will enroll in an Introduction to Business and Professional Development course. Students will have access to a network support team consisting of an academic advisor and a career advisor. They will participate in career planning activities, attend workshops on topics such as business etiquette and networking, and have access to special internship and study-abroad opportunities.
"After four years of solid preparation that complements the strong educational foundation our students receive in the classroom, they will be more knowledgeable, experienced and professional," said Daryl Kerr, associate dean for undergraduate programs. "We expect the SCPD to have a positive impact on retention and graduation rates within the Belk College and to provide the Charlotte business community with hundreds of well-prepared, skilled and enthusiastic graduates each year."
"Since the university’s founding, UNC Charlotte has benefited in countless ways from the generosity of the Belks – whether through the corporation, the foundation or individual family members," said Chancellor Philip L. Dubois. "The Student Center for Professional Development is an innovative concept that will positively impact the lives and careers of countless Belk College students, and we’re grateful to The Belk Foundation for their investment."
While several business schools in the region provide professional development services to their undergraduate students, Belk College officials say the SCPD will be unique in both the range of programming and opportunities available to students, and the organization of these programs within a centralized and dedicated function. Kerr expects to hire a director for the SCPD in early 2012 and to add a career counselor later in the spring.
About The Belk Foundation
The Belk Foundation, a family foundation based in Charlotte, N.C., is focused on supporting quality education by investing in schools and organizations that work aggressively to ensure all students graduate from high school and continue on an intentional path toward college, career and life. Now in its third generation of family leadership, The Belk Foundation serves as the public expression of gratitude and commitment shown by the family that created the Belk department store organization, which was founded by William Henry Belk and Dr. John Montgomery Belk in 1888. While The Belk Foundation is a separate entity from Belk, Inc. and its department stores, the two organizations sometimes collaborate on philanthropy and community service projects. The Belk Foundation had assets of more than $50 million as of September 30, 2011. Since 2000, The Belk Foundation has distributed more than $28 million to charities across the Southeast. More information is available at belkfoundation.org.