Corporate Fellowships Boost Minority Enrollments at Wake Forest University

The School of Business at Wake Forest University has instituted a corporate fellowship program that offers full tuition for its 10-month master of arts degree in management and a $21,000 stipend to cover living expenses. The fellowships are offered to students from underrepresented minority groups or students who have shown leadership in efforts to increase diversity on their undergraduate campus.

The students accepted for the eight fellowships also receive personal mentoring from the CEOs of the companies that are sponsoring the program. The firms involved include Frito-Lay, BB&T Bank, and Flow Automotive. Dean of the business school Steve Reinemund hopes to double the number of corporate fellowships in the near future.

The program has had a significant impact in diversity at the Wake Forest business school. Applications for admission are up 1500 percent. Underrepresented minorities make up 44 percent of the current entering class. This is up from 18 percent a year ago.

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