McCombs Recognized for Teaching Social Ethics, Responsibility

By Lynn Freehill in Promote & Protect on September 22, 2011 at 5:56 pm | No Comments

McCombs’ commitment to social, ethical, and environmental concerns has landed the business school in the top 30 of the Aspen Institute’s biennial global MBA ranking.

In its first year to participate in Beyond Grey Pinstripes’ global, full-time MBA ranking, McCombs landed in the top third of 100 ranked schools, coming in at no. 28. Among U.S. programs, McCombs came in 22nd (ninth among public schools).

There are scores of different college rankings, of course, especially for business programs. While most MBA rankings attempt to measure things like reputation, selectivity, job offers, and graduate salaries—Beyond Grey Pinstripes scores something different.

The alternative ranking salutes business schools that are preparing students for the “business challenges of tomorrow” as they advance social, ethical, and environmental stewardship.

“We are very pleased to be among the top MBA programs that emphasize social and ethical responsibility,” Eric Hirst, associate dean of graduate programs, says. “Two of the four key pillars of our MBA program are responsibility and integrity, and a worldview of business and society. We emphasize—in our coursework, in our faculty research, and in our culture—that good business decisions must take into account long-term societal benefits.”

As evidence, Hirst points to several of McCombs’ new additions and stalwart offerings. The school recently began offering two new concentrations into the MBA curriculum: “Public and Governmental Affairs” and “Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility.” Two relevant MBA student organizations also launched: BIGS (Business, Industry and Government Society), which shines light on public policy’s impact on business, and CleanTech Group, which promotes an economically viable, sustainable and “intelligent-energy” future through technology innovations.

McCombs also has one a proud and active chapter of the national social stewardship group Net Impact, which aims to use the power of business to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable world.