MetLife Foundation and The University of North Carolina at Charlotte announced a partnership to establish a “Women in Business” leadership program in the University’s Belk College of Business.
“The Belk College of Business is thrilled to receive this generous support from MetLife Foundation and has been pleased to have MetLife as a new partner in the Charlotte region,” said Steven H. Ott, dean of the college. “This gift will provide more opportunities to female students in the College of Business, and it reinforces our connection with a major employer in the area.”
“At MetLife, we’re committed to giving back to the communities we serve and to creating a more diverse workforce,” said Jim Boylan, vice president of human resources for MetLife. “This contribution by MetLife Foundation aligns with both of those goals while deepening our relationship with UNC Charlotte, a key partner of ours since 2013 when we first opened our doors in Charlotte. We look forward to working with the university to help cultivate the next generation of women leaders in business.”
While much has been done to promote women in the workplace, women often continue to face more obstacles than men when it comes to securing employment and promotions for equal pay, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The goal of the Women in Business Leadership Program will be to better equip women undergraduate business students with the skills they need for career success. The program will create enhanced experiences to help undergraduate women prepare for the world of work by improving the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to confidently enter into leadership roles.
The Belk College’s Student Center for Professional Development will manage the program, to begin this year. Highlights of the program will include exclusive workshops, networking events, and speaker opportunities where students can learn from successful women leaders in the Charlotte region and underscore important topics for working women. A women’s student organization also will be created so students can apply learned skills and practice leadership among their peers. Students who participate in the program will have the opportunity to connect with mentors from the business industry and will be encouraged to complete internships to propel their careers in business. At the conclusion of the program, participants will receive a certificate of completion that can be marketed on their resume.
“We’re grateful to the MetLife Foundation for believing in the Belk College’s mission to be at the forefront of business education,” said Ott. “We hope this gift – and the resulting partnerships between the college and the company – will serve as a catalyst for other companies to get involved in our effort to further women in business as well.”
About the Belk College of Business:
The Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte is North Carolina’s urban research business school. Accredited by AACSB International, the Belk College of Business offers outstanding business education at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, along with executive education. With more than 3,100 undergraduate students, 700 graduate students, 87 faculty members and more than 26,000 alumni, the Belk College of Business is Charlotte’s leader in business education, research, employable talent and professional development. Visit belkcollege.charlotte.edu.
About MetLife Foundation:
MetLife Foundation was created in 1976 to continue MetLife’s long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Since its founding through the end of 2014, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $650 million in grants and $70 million in program-related investments to organizations addressing issues that have a positive impact in their communities. Today, the Foundation is dedicated to advancing financial inclusion, committing $200 million to help build a secure future for individuals and communities around the world. To learn more about MetLife Foundation, visit www.metlife.org.
About MetLife:
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.
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Media contacts:
MetLife: Al Killeffer, 980-949-3301, akilleffer@metlife.com
Belk College of Business: Kirsten Khire, APR, 704 687 7601, 704-885-4134 (cell); kkhire@uncc.edu
UNC Charlotte Public Relations: Buffie Stephens, 704 687 5830, 980 355 3110 (cell), buffiestephens@uncc.edu