MBA Dean - What does it take to succeed?

Education Reinvention

Francesca Cornelli envisions a transformative future for business education, emphasizing the need for reinvention to address emerging challenges. She argues that in times of uncertainty and disruption, business schools are more essential than ever, providing leadership, emotional intelligence, and innovation skills. Cornelli states, "Our plan for the next ten years is to reinvent a business education," highlighting the proactive approach needed to stay relevant 1. This reinvention aims to equip students with the necessary tools to navigate and lead in a rapidly changing world 2.

   

Practitioner Role

The integration of industry practitioners into business school curricula is crucial for bridging the gap between theory and practice. Francesca Cornelli emphasizes the importance of having private equity professionals mentor students and contribute to course content, offering real-world insights and experiences. She explains, "We have an entire course, for example, in which each week is a different alum successful in private equity, who comes and teaches something like fundraising," underscoring the value of practical knowledge 3. This collaboration not only enhances student learning but also enriches faculty research and understanding of industry dynamics.

   

Collaboration Benefits

Collaboration between academia and industry is pivotal in advancing business education and research. Francesca Cornelli highlights the benefits of alumni involvement, which fosters continuous dialogue between faculty and industry experts, leading to improved research and curriculum development. She notes, "Having alumni come back and teach and help with the students means you also have faculty who talk regularly with the alumni," illustrating the symbiotic relationship that enhances both teaching and research 3. This ongoing interaction ensures that business education remains relevant and aligned with industry needs.