The University of North Carolina Asheville has received a $1.1 million Federal grant to fund the first year of its five-year project “From Classroom to Career: Improving Career Readiness and Technical Skills of Students in Business, Accounting, Finance, and Economics.” This grant is part of the U.S. Department of Education's Title III-Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) and is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Additional funding for the project is expected to be released in the future for the remaining years of the project. As part of the University’s newly announced School of Business, this project will expand career preparation, hands-on learning, and financial literacy opportunities for students.

• A $1.1 million Federal Title III-Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant will fund the first year of a new five-year project titled “From Classroom to Career: Improving Career Readiness and Technical Skills of Students in Business, Accounting, Finance, and Economics.”

• The project is part of UNC Asheville’s new School of Business.

• Funding will support construction of a Bloomberg lab, hiring a full-time career coach and lab manager, and expansion of the number of credit-bearing internships.

The grant will fund construction of a Bloomberg Lab, which includes 20 Bloomberg Terminals. Students can use these specialized computer workstations to explore financial markets, analyze real-world economic and business data, conduct research, and develop financial literacy and skills relevant to careers in finance, accounting, business analytics, and other fields.

The Bloomberg Labs will also give students the opportunity to earn Bloomberg certifications, including Bloomberg Market Concepts, Bloomberg Finance Fundamentals, and the Bloomberg Environment, Social, and Governance Certificate. These credentials provide additional experience with financial markets, investment fundamentals, and sustainable finance.

It will also support a full-time career coach and lab manager and expansion of the number of credit-bearing internships. Together, these investments will connect students with industry-standard financial tools, career development resources, and market-aligned postgraduate opportunities while expanding financial literacy programming across campus.

“This grant represents an important investment in our students and their futures,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Yvonne Villanueva-Russell. “By expanding access to career coaching, professional tools, and hands-on learning, we’re connecting classroom experiences with the skills and opportunities students need to succeed after graduation.”

The investment comes as North Carolina works to address workforce gaps in financial services, accounting, and other industries. The UNC System’s 2026 Workforce Alignment Report identifies critical shortages in these fields, underscoring the need for graduates with relevant skills and experience. Through hands-on learning, industry-recognized certifications, and access to professional tools, UNC Asheville will help prepare students for evolving career opportunities while contributing to Western North Carolina’s economic and financial resilience.

This Federal grant will fund 83%, or $1,155,080, of the program’s total costs. The remainder of the project’s costs, which amounts to $229,440 or 17%, will be funded by non-governmental sources.

Source: UNC Asheville.