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Fogelman College Of Business And EconomicsEdit

The Fogelman College of Business and Economics stands as the business school component of the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. Named to honor the philanthropic contribution of the Fogelman family and its supporters, the college anchors business education, research, and workforce development in the region. It offers a range of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and holds accreditation by the AACSB, signaling a commitment to rigorous curriculum, ethical standards, and applicable outcomes for students entering a competitive economy. The college emphasizes practical, market-oriented training aimed at preparing graduates to lead in private-sector enterprises, public institutions, and entrepreneurship.

In its approach to education, the college foregrounds applied learning, analytics, and real-world engagement. Students gain experience through internships, capstone projects, and collaborations with local and regional employers. The college maintains close ties to the Memphis business community and seeks to align its curricula with the demands of a fast-changing marketplace, where quantitative skills, technological literacy, and prudent decision-making matter for long-term profitability and job creation.

History and naming

The Fogelman College of Business and Economics grew from the University of Memphis’s longstanding business programs and scholarship initiatives. Its naming reflects a substantial endowment and ongoing support from the Fogelman family and affiliated philanthropic efforts to expand business education in the region. This philanthropic backing has helped recruit faculty, expand facilities, and broaden opportunities for students to engage with the private sector. The college’s history sits at the intersection of public higher education and private-sector partnerships that seek to produce graduates who can contribute to local growth while competing in wider markets. The institutional emphasis has consistently been on a balance between core business disciplines and practical, career-oriented preparation.

Programs and curriculum

Undergraduate programs

Graduate programs

  • The college offers graduate degrees designed to deepen technical competencies and strategic thinking. The MBA program is a centerpiece, with options for full-time and professional study designed to fit working professionals’ schedules. In addition, there are Master of Science degrees in select business disciplines to prepare students for specialized roles in analytics, economics, and related fields. The curriculum integrates data-driven analysis, managerial insight, and practical applications to foster career advancement and leadership capability.

Accreditation and centers

  • As an accredited member of the AACSB, the college adheres to international standards for faculty qualifications, curricular rigor, and student learning outcomes. While centers and institutes can evolve over time, the college’s emphasis remains on aligning research and instruction with the needs of business practitioners and policymakers.

Campus facilities and resources

The college operates within the campus environment of the University of Memphis and benefits from modern classrooms, computer labs, and research facilities that support data analytics, accounting information systems, and management studies. Students have access to advising, career services, internship programs, and opportunities to engage with the broader business ecosystem through guest lectures, industry partnerships, and alumni connections.

Faculty, research, and impact

Faculty within the Fogelman College of Business and Economics represent a spectrum of expertise across core business disciplines, including Accounting, Economics, Finance, Information Systems, Marketing (business), and Management. Faculty members publish in peer-reviewed journals and collaborate with industry partners on applied research, case studies, and consulting engagements. The college emphasizes outcomes such as job placement, starting salaries, and the development of practical skill sets that translate into organizational value.

Debates and controversies

Like many modern professional schools, the Fogelman College has navigated debates around diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and their role in business education. From a market-facing perspective, proponents argue that a diverse, inclusive environment better prepares students to lead in a global economy, fosters more robust decision-making, and expands talent pipelines for employers. Supporters typically point to the real-world benefits of inclusive leadership, cross-cultural collaboration, and the ability to serve a broad customer base.

Critics—often writing from a stronger emphasis on merit-based, market-driven curricula—argue that some diversity initiatives can divert attention from core competencies and measurable outcomes such as readiness for certification, internship performance, and post-graduate employment. They contend that resources should be allocated toward tangible training, rigorous assessment, and demonstrable return on investment (ROI) for students and taxpayers alike, rather than toward programs that may be perceived as ideological. Proponents of a more restrained approach argue that business education should prioritize profitability, accountability, and a clear pathway to career success.

From this viewpoint, the case for or against particular DEI and inclusion programs should be evaluated principally by their impact on student outcomes, employer satisfaction, and the college’s ability to compete for talent and investment. Critics of broad “woke” critiques contend that concerns about political activism in classrooms can obscure constructive conversations about ethics, governance, and inclusive leadership that are essential for operating in diverse markets. The right-of-center perspective generally stresses that the ultimate standard for business education remains the ability to develop capable leaders who can drive growth, manage risk, and create value for shareholders, employees, and communities.

See also