An Investment in the Future of Your Community
The Centers of Excellence comprise vital links between the best and brightest on the UCI campus and the vibrant local, national and international business community to the benefit of all. With the support of our donors, we build and maintain these vital links, bridging the Merage School with the Orange County community and beyond.
Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship announced its exciting new program, The Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE) degree – the first and only program of its kind in the UC system. This program provides extensive integrated and immersive academic and practical experience for students looking to embark on careers as entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. With its pioneer class, there are a total of 41 students, from across the globe that have looked to the Merage School to provide them a one-of-a-kind experience.
See first-hand what it means to be a part of this new program from John Freeman MIE ’20.
Center for Digital Transformation
The Center for Digital Transformation (CDT), along with the entire Merage School, shifted to an entirely remote delivery for our students earlier this year – faculty, students and staff alike have experienced a year unlike any other. With many pivots during the spring, summer and now fall, we just completed our 6th annual signature Road to Reinvention Conference. This was our first virtual conference, with guests from over 250 companies and 7 countries. We hosted conversations with talented executives who exemplified the forward-thinking leadership necessary at this time, demonstrating not just their expertise in digital strategy and innovation, but also optimism and empathy. We had over one hundred Merage School students in attendance, and their participation prepares them for their specialization in Digital Transformation. Read more.
It is at the core of our mission to educate the workforce for success in a technology-intensive world. The Center’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) Roundtable is a networking experience for the most senior level executives and students. This knowledge sharing forum partners with the Merage School to help lead their companies to succeed in a digitally-driven world. Our members and donors within this forum have access to MBA and undergraduate students for employment opportunities, such as internships or full-time jobs. They speak in IT-related classes and also mentor MBA students interested in IT-related careers.
Center for Global Leadership
The Center for Global Leadership (CGL) names its inaugural faculty director, Dean Eric Spangenberg, to lead the center and continue its vision to create a more culturally aware student body.
Prior to Spangenberg transitioning into this new role, alumni, faculty and staff came together to celebrate his vision and tenure, and through this generosity, the Spangenberg Scholars for Global Leadership Award was created. This endowment supports the mission of the Center for Global Leadership, to build leaders with a sustainable global vision. Providing this access for undergraduate students sparks a lifetime of learning, helping them develop their skills to function professionally in both national and international markets.
During the 2019 – 2020 school year, The Spangenberg Scholars for Global Leadership Award was presented to its first recipient, Ruby Osorio, a first-generation undergraduate student seeking exposure to global markets through an international residential offered by the Merage School.
Center for Health Care Management and Policy
Building stronger ties with the healthcare community in Orange County and beyond by engaging our partners in collaborative research and education efforts as well as community service programs is just a fraction of what the Center for Health Care Management & Policy provides to the Merage School community.
The annual Health Care Forecast Conference has become one of the largest and most prominent public offerings at UCI and has become a much anticipated local and regional annual event with participation of nearly 350 attendees. Sponsorships for the conference over the years have been generous and have made the conference possible. It has served to create long lasting relationships between the Center and organizations in the health care community. Nationally renowned executives, academics and present and former government officials are invited to speak at the conference and have served to create visibility for the School’s distinct resources in health care management and education. Next year, the School is excited to celebrate its 30th annual conference.
Center for Investment and Wealth Management
The Center for Investment and Wealth Management (CIWM) is this year’s recipient of a $25,000 grant from PwC 2020 Reimagine.
The Center’s mission and programs align with that of PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. and was awarded this grant to help integrate digital skills training into the LIFEVest Financial Literacy Program, a summer program for underserved incoming 9th and 10th graders as well as into events for LifeVest Alumni, and to create and deliver a suite of digital upskilling workshops for undergraduate students. In conjunction with this grant, PwC provides volunteer hours to support these programs. These skills workshops provided students the opportunity to participate in areas of data analytics, Microsoft Excel, social media, and Google – all while being taught by PwC professionals.
Center for Real Estate
The Center for Real Estate had the honor to award the first recipient of the newly endowed scholarship, the California Homebuilding Foundation Scholarship Award. In support of a merit-based graduate or undergraduate student who has demonstrated a keen interest in pursuing a career in the home building industry, Charlie Jackson FEMBA ‘21 was the perfect candidate to receive this award and honor the legacy of the late Bill Halford.
In 2018, the Center for Real Estate received a gift from the Bixby Land Company to create an endowed scholarship, and honor the life of Bill Halford. As a passionate supporter of higher education, he served as chairman of the Center for Real Estate Advisory Board for many years and led numerous initiatives, including the Center’s Real Estate Mentorship program, which today has become a school-wide program incorporating all disciplines at the business school.
A scholarship from the California Homebuilding Foundation would have an enormous impact on my life and give me the flexibility to further pursue my education and eventually achieve my goal of opening up a home building company.”
Charlie Jackson
