What our MBA Students tell me about Social Innovation

Hello, and thank you for following our series on the future of business education.

Degree candidates in the School of Business at Clark University are an ongoing source of insights and inspiration for me, and I am constantly reviewing how our offerings align with what’s important to them.

Sound familiar?

Here are three recent takeaways from my interactions with our MBA students:

1. They believe it’s important for companies to make the world a better place
2. They favor companies that take a stand on key social, environmental, and political issues
3. They expect companies to join with government agencies and nonprofits to drive positive societal and environmental change

Bottom line: business as usual is changing, and so is business education.

At the School of Business, we believe it’s our responsibility as business educators to prepare our students for a changing world. And increasingly, the world is demanding more corporate responsibility, less climate risk, and ethical business practices at all times. That’s why our vision for our school is to be a leader in social innovation business education. We are introducing our students to new and sustainable business practices that achieve positive social change, with a focus on project-based learning and community engagement.

I’d be curious to learn what you are hearing from your students. What are their expectations for the way companies conduct business? And what are their employment aspirations once they graduate?

I’m reaching out to you and our fellow deans on these matters and would welcome the chance to connect with you to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to contact me at 508-793-7368 or aeisner@clarku.edu.

In the meantime, best wishes in the upcoming new year.

Regards,

Alan B. Eisner, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Business, Clark University