UNC Asheville Launches School of Business

New school builds on existing programs with plans for additional majors, expanded partnerships, and more hands-on learning

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — October 15, 2026 — UNC Asheville today announced the launch of its School of Business, bringing together existing programs and laying the groundwork for new majors and expanded hands-on learning to meet regional workforce needs.

The School brings together UNC Asheville’s Department of Business and Department of Economics & Finance, connecting faculty expertise across programs that currently serve more than 250 students. While academic departments focus on individual academic disciplines, the School provides a shared structure for coordinating programs, supporting faculty collaboration, and developing partnerships with employers across related fields. 

Current offerings include Bachelor of Science degrees in Business, Accounting, and Economics, as well as a minor in Finance. New majors in Finance, Marketing, and Business Analytics are proposed for fall 2027.

Certificates in Digital & Social Media Marketing and Business Intelligence & Analytics are also available. Additional credentials in Health Care Management, Outdoor Enterprise, and Risk Management are in development, along with Certified Financial Planning preparation.

Chancellor Kimberly van Noort said the School will prepare students to interpret financial and economic data, evaluate business challenges, and understand how decisions affect people and communities. That preparation draws on UNC Asheville’s liberal arts foundation, with an emphasis on strong communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. Students will develop the ability to weigh different perspectives, explain complex ideas, and make informed decisions in a changing workplace.

“The School of Business is where we can combine the strengths of our business programs with our liberal arts roots,” said van Noort. “We want our graduates to have the judgment and adaptability that employers want, so they are prepared to make a contribution from day one.”

Responding to Workforce Needs

The expansion comes as North Carolina faces a shortage of graduates in key business fields. The UNC System’s 2026 Workforce Alignment Report identifies annual shortfalls of approximately 500 finance graduates and 1,000 accounting graduates relative to available positions.

“UNC Asheville’s School of Business gives us a better way to engage with employers and help students prepare for those opportunities,” said Roger Aiken, chair of the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees. “We want businesses to have a voice in what we’re building, so students graduate with skills they can use, and employers can find more of the talent they’re looking for right here in our region.”

Those needs are especially pressing in Western North Carolina as businesses and nonprofits recover from Tropical Storm Helene. The state’s December 2024 assessment estimated $3 billion in damage to business and nonprofit property, underscoring the need for expertise in financing, resource management, and long-term planning.

Leah Greden Mathews, who chairs the Department of Economics & Finance and the Department of Business, said the proposed finance major will respond to those challenges through a focus on financial resilience and risk management.

“We have an opportunity to help shape a stronger local economy,” Mathews said. “Our students can be part of that by bringing fresh ideas and the cutting-edge, practical skills that matter in their own community.”

Connecting Coursework with Community

Students will not have to wait for a diploma to start contributing. Every student in the School will complete a hands-on learning experience, such as an internship, undergraduate research project, or practicum with a local business.

Existing programs show how that work can benefit both students and the region. In spring 2026, Assistant Professor of Economics Muhammad Nawaz guided 12 economics seniors through a two-course research project with students examining financial literacy, the economic impact of tax refunds, and small businesses’ recovery from Helene.

In a separate UNC Asheville course, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, students put their knowledge to work one tax return at a time, gaining hands-on experience running a free tax clinic for eligible community members.

The School will create more of these connections, bringing students and faculty from different fields together on projects and working more closely with local employers. A dedicated career coach is also planned to help students find internships, get ready for interviews, and figure out where they want to go after graduation.

Meanwhile, new and improved learning labs will give students more room to investigate, test, and apply ideas. The Policy Lab, scheduled to open in January 2027, will bring students and faculty together to study regional economic issues. Also, upgrades to the Artificial Intelligence Lab will help students examine how businesses use emerging technologies and what those changes mean for organizations and communities.

For Mathews, these opportunities share a common goal: helping students connect what they learn in the classroom with what they can contribute in their careers and communities.

“The best part of my job is when a student realizes how the skills they’ve developed in courses can be applied to the real world. Seeing the value in their work is a superpower,” Mathews said. “With this School, we can create more opportunities for students to get there. They’ll graduate with a powerful skill set and a clearer sense of what they can do and the confidence to put it to work, here in Western North Carolina or wherever their careers take them.”

To learn more, visit unca.edu/school-of-business.

About UNC Asheville

UNC Asheville is North Carolina’s public liberal arts and sciences university of the future, marked by technology-driven solutions, hands-on learning, a student-centered focus, and career and professional readiness. With award-winning faculty, small class sizes, and 60+ academic programs, including a dual degree in Engineering/Mechatronics with NC State and the only Astronomy bachelor’s degree in the UNC System, the University provides free tuition and fees to eligible students through its Access Asheville program, as well as merit scholarships to all first-year students. In the US News & World Report 2027 edition of Best Colleges, UNC Asheville is ranked No. #18 in Top Public Liberal Arts Schools, and No. #12 in Princeton Review’s 2026 Top 50 Guide to Green Colleges. Known as the Bulldogs, UNC Asheville student-athletes compete on 16 NCAA Division I teams in the Big South Conference. For more information, please visit unca.edu.