From the Dean: A Potential New Space

Nelson Hall is a special place for many members of our Poole Pack community. It has been our home since the college was founded in 1992. Countless numbers of students and faculty have walked its halls, made meaningful connections in its offices, and explored new ideas in its classrooms. 

However, Poole College of Management is a very different college than it was 30 years ago. We have experienced tremendous growth over the years. In 1998, which was the earliest enrollment data I could find, the college was home to 2,660 students. Today, we have more than 4,500. That’s a nearly 68% increase in our enrollment. 

But it goes beyond student enrollment. The demand is higher than ever, as well. In 2006, we received 1,836 applications. This year? More than 6,000. In the last 10 years, our undergraduate application numbers grew by 160% and the number of degrees we issued increased by 68%.

Why all the growth?

Our reputation, like the reputation of NC State at large, has continued to rise. We are regularly topping the rankings in areas such as entrepreneurship, analytics, accounting, MBA programs and more. We have a great mix of faculty – thought leaders, researchers and industry practitioners – who all bring something unique to the college. Plus, we are developing critical skill sets that employers are looking for and students are seeking. 

All this to say – Nelson Hall can no longer accommodate us in a way that allows us to reach our full potential as one of the world’s top business schools.

All this to say – Nelson Hall can no longer accommodate us in a way that allows us to reach our full potential as one of the world’s top business schools.

We are proud of the work that’s come out of Nelson. Our Poole graduates have the second-highest number of job placements and starting salaries coming out of undergrad – just behind NC State’s College of Engineering. We are graduating dynamic business leaders in companies across the Triangle and around the world. We are meeting the needs that employers are looking for. We are driving the economy forward.

However, in order to continue to grow, we need more space. We’ve been creative in trying to maximize every square inch of Nelson Hall, but the fact remains that retrofitting an 85-year-old building is difficult and costly. And despite the improvements we have made and will continue to make, space constraints alone make it unsuitable for the college long-term.

We need a different space to get us where we want to go and allow us to more fully live our mission as a Think and Do business school. We need a space that encourages collaboration, tenacity, critical thinking and problem-solving.

We need a different space to get us where we want to go and allow us to more fully live our mission as a Think and Do business school. We need a space that encourages collaboration, tenacity, critical thinking and problem-solving. Our faculty desires to be shoulder-to-shoulder with our students – engaging them in conversations and challenging their thinking, not just speaking from behind a lectern. We want spaces that allow for interdisciplinary study and industry interaction. We want breakout rooms, flex spaces and areas where our exceptionally talented students can dream big dreams. 

But we are competing for these exceptionally talented students, not to mention faculty and staff, with other business schools that have state-of-the-art facilities. Our mission and vision have done its part in attracting bright young minds and world-class faculty and staff. Now, we need a space that matches the talent within this college.

Our mission and vision have done its part in attracting bright young minds and world-class faculty and staff. Now, we need a space that matches the talent within this college.

This August, we wrapped up a feasibility study to give us a more practical look at what a potential new space for the college could look like – and how much it would cost. We are incredibly thankful for the support of university leadership as we explore options to better serve our Poole Pack community. 

And that’s where you come in. 

We need our alumni and supporters to be excited about this opportunity – and to dream with us about different ways a new space can add value to the broader community.

We need our alumni and supporters to be excited about this opportunity – and to dream with us about different ways a new space can add value to the broader community. We need graduates with the skills of tomorrow to help bring innovations to market. That’s what we do really well. 

So, we ask that you continue to share the story of our success as a college and how we are making a difference with your colleagues and friends. If you’re in a position to do so, we will need financial support – either by coming alongside us as a donor or identifying partners who are willing to invest in the amazing things taking place at Poole College.

After all, it’s going to take all of us together. We are strongest as a Pack.

Always looking forward,

Frank Buckless

We are strongest as a Pack.