The School connects the Department of Business and the Department of Economics & Finance, providing a shared structure for faculty collaboration, employer partnerships, and learning across disciplines. Key highlights include:

• New degrees and certificates: New majors in Finance, Marketing, and Business Analytics are proposed for Fall 2027, expanding on existing Bachelor of Science degrees in Business, Accounting, and Economics, plus a minor in Finance. Two certificates are available now: Digital and Social Media Marketing and Business Intelligence and Analytics. The School is also developing credentials in Health Care Management, Outdoor Enterprise, and Risk Management, as well as Certified Financial Planning preparation.

• Workforce-ready learning for all: Every student will complete a hands-on experience, such as an internship, undergraduate research project, or practicum with a local business, applying classroom knowledge to practical challenges.

• Dedicated career support: A dedicated career coach is planned to help students find internships, prepare for interviews, and identify next steps. The School will also expand connections among students, faculty across fields, and local employers.

• New and improved labs: The Policy Lab is scheduled to open in January 2027, and the existing Artificial Intelligence Lab is being upgraded to expand opportunities for applied learning and research.

• UNC Asheville’s liberal arts foundation: Students will build strong communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills alongside business expertise, supported by small classes, a 14-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, and generous financial aid packages and merit scholarships.

The launch comes as North Carolina faces a shortage of graduates in key business fields. The UNC System’s 2026 Workforce Alignment Report identifies annual shortfalls of approximately 500 finance graduates and 1,000 accounting graduates relative to available positions.

In Western North Carolina, recovery from Tropical Storm Helene adds urgency to those needs. The state’s December 2024 assessment estimated $3 billion in damage to business and nonprofit property, underscoring the need for expertise in financing, resource management, and long-term planning.

“The School of Business is where we can combine the strengths of our business programs with our liberal arts roots,” said UNC Asheville Chancellor Kimberly van Noort. “We want our graduates to have the judgment and adaptability that employers want, so they are prepared to make a contribution from day one.”

Existing courses show how that preparation can benefit students and the community. In spring 2026, Assistant Professor of Economics Muhammad Nawaz guided 12 economics seniors through research examining financial literacy, the economic impact of tax refunds, and small businesses’ recovery from Helene. UNC Asheville’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance course also gives students practical experience while running a free tax clinic for eligible community members.

The School will build on these experiences through closer collaboration with local employers and projects that bring students and faculty from different fields together. The planned career coach will help students connect that work to internships and career opportunities.

The academic programming and opportunities will extend into the School’s learning labs, where students can investigate regional economic issues and examine how emerging technologies affect businesses and communities. The Policy Lab and upgraded Artificial Intelligence Lab will give students greater opportunities to work with faculty on questions relevant to the region’s future.

“UNC Asheville’s School of Business gives us a better way to engage with employers and help students prepare for those opportunities,” said Roger Aiken, chair of the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees. “We want businesses to have a voice in what we’re building, so students graduate with skills they can use, and employers can find more of the talent they’re looking for right here in our region.”

For more information, visit unca.edu/school-of-business.

Source: UNCA.