The School of Business Administration has been ranked among the top 25 programs in the world for its expertise in family business, joining Harvard, Cornell, Pennsylvania, Northwestern and Kennesaw State as the only U.S. representatives.

The ranking by Family Capital, a publishing company dedicated to the global family business sector, is reflective of the efforts of Business School Dean Sanjay Sharma, who arrived in 2011, and Professor Pramodita Sharma, a world-renowned scholar in family business. A revamped curriculum by Dean Sharma prior to the 2011-12 academic year with input from faculty put entrepreneurship/family business at the forefront of a strategic plan that also included a focus on sustainable business and international business.

“Family business was important due to the very high percentage of our students who come from family-owned businesses and the importance of succession and longevity for these businesses,” said Sanjay Sharma. “The ranking for family business amongst the top business schools in the world is a quick and early recognition of all the efforts made thus far. A school’s reputation and ranking in a specific area is based on achievements of its faculty members and we are fortunate to have a global leader in this domain.”

Professor Sharma, editor and chief of Family Business Review – the leading journal in family business and the No. 4 ranked business journal overall – is responsible for starting a number of key family business initiatives. Listed in the article as a “star professor,” she launched in 2013 the Annual Family Enterprise Case Competition – the only Global Case Competition featuring 24 teams from around the world focused on the unique dilemmas of family enterprises – and UVM Family Business Awards celebrating four inspirational family enterprises run by UVM alumni.

“A large majority of our students are going to be working in or with family enterprises throughout their career,” said Pramodita Sharma. “In Vermont, and at UVM, we are uniquely positioned to carve a leadership role in this important and significant segment of our economy and society. Like most scholars in this field, who deeply understand the integral role of family firms in society, I am pleased with this first ranking of universities at the leading edge of family business education and delighted that UVM is in this coveted list.”

PUBLISHED

09-09-2015
Jon Reidel