- Unique educational collaboration promotes opportunities and awareness of graduate business programs for African-American scholars -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Wake Forest School of Business today announced an agreement with the Ron Brown Scholar Program to participate in a shared commitment to promote and support opportunities for Ron Brown Scholarship winners and applicants to pursue graduate studies at the School of Business, including its nationally recognized Master of Arts (MA) in Management, Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs. The agreement includes the recommendation of a Ron Brown Scholar for an annual Corporate Fellowship Award to include full tuition and $10,000 living stipend to attend the 10-month MA in Management program.

“We are very pleased to establish this partnership with the Wake Forest University School of Business,” said Michael A. Mallory, president & executive director, Ron Brown Scholar Program. “Our organizations share a commitment to developing the next generation of business leaders who will lead with integrity and use their success to help in meaningful ways within their communities and society as a whole.”

As part of the agreement, Wake Forest will collaborate with the Ron Brown Scholar Program to identify candidates for the Corporate Fellowship Award and additional interested students for applicable graduate programs at the School of Business. The partnership represents one of several new initiatives the School is pursuing to increase the number of underrepresented students across its graduate and undergraduate business programs.

“Valuing diversity, leadership and service is core to our mission at Wake Forest,” said Charles Iacovou, vice dean at the School of Business. “The Ron Brown Scholar Program embodies this ideal and we are proud to establish a deeper relationship with this outstanding organization and its exceptional group of students and alumni who share these principles.”

Since 1997, a total of 338 Ron Brown Scholars have been selected from more than 110,000 applications on the basis of demonstrated academic excellence, leadership potential, social commitment and financial need. With a graduation rate of 99% and 54% completing graduate studies, Ron Brown Scholars are committed to education, while 100% are involved in extensive community service projects demonstrating a strong dedication to enriching lives in their local communities and worldwide.

“As a Ron Brown Scholar, I have experienced first-hand the benefits of access to opportunities in higher education, leadership training and social service, which has prepared me well for the demands of a graduate business program,” said Simone Watson, 2009 Ron Brown Scholar and 2014 candidate in the Wake Forest School of Business MA in Management program. “My experience as an MA candidate at Wake Forest has reinforced these strong values within a collaborative, hands-on environment that emphasizes the development of passionate business leaders who can positively impact the practice of business. The Ron Brown Scholar Program and Wake Forest provide a unique combination of ethical ideals and learning opportunities that will help me achieve my personal and career goals.”

For more information on the Ron Brown Scholar Program and the Wake Forest University School of Business and its various programs, please visit the website for each organization listed below.

About Ron Brown Scholars (ronbrown.org) The Ron Brown Scholar Fund is a 501(c) 3 public charity, managed by an independent Board of Trustees. The Ron Brown Scholar Program, named for the late Secretary of Commerce and inspired by his dedication to public service, was established in 1996 by the CAP Charitable Foundation to provide academic scholarships, service opportunities and leadership experiences for young African Americans of outstanding promise. The Ron Brown Scholar Program provides Scholars with the financial resources to attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the country. Acceptance into the Program means Scholars are also provided with the nurturing and mentorship to succeed and flourish in college and beyond. Graduating Scholars go on to outstanding careers in the arts, sciences and public service, and many more pursue professional degrees in law, medicine and business.

About Wake Forest University School of Business (business.wfu.edu) The Wake Forest University School of Business offers undergraduate programs in finance, accounting, mathematical business, and business and enterprise management, and graduate programs including a Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accountancy and Master of Arts in Management. Our programs are consistently ranked among the world’s best in surveys by U.S. News & World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, the Economist, Forbes, and the Financial Times. Wake Forest MBAs who sat for a Six Sigma green belt certification exam in 2011 and 2012 had a 100% pass rate. Wake Forest accountancy graduates earned the highest passing rate in the nation on the CPA exam last year and have maintained the top CPA exam pass rate among universities with accounting programs for 11 of the past 15 years.

Source: Wake Forest School of Business

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