Darden, U.Va.-Wise Team to Deliver Executive Business Education to Southwest Va.

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U.Va.-Wise Center for the Arts

February 18, 2010 — The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business recently announced an executive education venture, the Darden/U.Va.-Wise Partnership for Leadership Development, a partnership with the University’s College at Wise.

Through discussions with business leaders from Southwest Virginia, the idea of a concentrated effort of high-level business education was formed and cultivated in the Partnership for Leadership Development.

This joint venture between two U.Va. institutions founded in 1954 will offer an array of six key courses, from which participants at companies in the Southwest Virginia region will select four, to complete the full program and earn a Certificate in leadership development. All programs will be delivered in the Southwest Virginia region.

David Newkirk, Darden’s CEO for executive education, said the partnership is designed to bring together Darden's world-class executive education capabilities with U.Va.-Wise's deep relationships in Southwest Virginia.

“By helping develop the next generation of leadership, we hope to deliver on each institution's mission – in Darden's case, 'to improve society by developing principled leaders for the world of practical affairs,' and the University of Virginia's College at Wise, serving as 'an engine for economic growth,'” Newkirk said.

Rooted in an expressed need for focus on and development of management skills, influence, and strategic and functional acumen, participants can build an excellent learning portfolio through which they will grow, and ultimately, help their businesses and the region grow.

“This is a remarkable opportunity for the University to support the development of the business community in Southwest Virginia,” U.Va.-Wise Chancellor David J. Prior said. “Through our partnership with the Darden School, Southwest Virginia now has access to the highest level of executive training.”

The Darden/U.Va.-Wise Partnership will:

• Strengthen U.Va.-Wise’s promise of management development and deepen relationships with their client organizations.

• Connect Darden Open-Enrollment and Custom programs to businesses and organizations in the region.

The initial course for the partnership, "Negotiating Success," with Darden faculty members Sherwood Frey and Melissa Thomas-Hunt, will be delivered May 12 and 13. The second course option is "Finance for the Non-Financial Manager," with faculty members LuAnn Lynch and Mary Margaret Frank. This course will be offered Sept, 21 through 23.

Darden directors for the program are Colin Winter and Susian Brooks and for the College at Wise, economic development director Shannon Blevins.

For information, contact Darden_Exed@Darden.virginia.edu.

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