BUIES CREEK, NC – Second–year students from Campbell University’s BB&T Business Fellows Program spent two days in Greensboro last week, visiting businesses and participating in the Emerging Leaders Certification program at the BB&T Leadership Institute.
The objective of the trip is to help the students develop leadership skills, learn from successful entrepreneurs in fields like real estate development and restaurants, and to better understand some of the social issues that they will encounter in their future lives and careers.
On February 6, the Business Fellows received a guided tour of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in downtown Greensboro, followed by a talk.
The students then visited The Forge, a “maker space” designed for crafts, tech, trades and manufacturing, and HQ Greensboro, the region’s leading entrepreneurship co-working space. Business owner and developer Andy Zimmerman spoke to the group about his path to becoming a successful entrepreneur and how he has redeveloped a once-declining part of Greensboro into a vibrant downtown destination.
On February 7, the Fellows received skills assessment and leadership training at the BB&T Leadership Institute. The Emerging Leaders Certification program focuses on guiding students to develop greater self-awareness to become a more effective leader. The full–day session helped students learn more about their strengths, values, and the role of a leader in business.
“This trip was a great success,” said Dr. Mark Steckbeck, director of the BB&T Business Fellows Program at Campbell. “The knowledge these students gain, and the leadership skills they develop, help them grow in both their personal lives and in their future careers. Through the meetings and the BB&T Leadership training, our fellows see firsthand what makes a successful leader and receive valuable guidance in identifying and building upon their own strengths. Campbell is fortunate to have the support of BB&T in developing our Business Fellows into future leaders.”
Parker Spear, a student from Mechanicsville, Virginia, said of his experience: ”My favorite part of the trip was the training at the BB&T Leadership Institute. I learned a lot not only about myself, but also about the other business fellows in attendance. It was very interesting to learn about different leadership styles and how they all work together in the business world.”
Campbell University’s BB&T Business Fellows Program is a selective, four-year cohort program designed to provide unique academic, service, and professional developmental opportunities to exceptional incoming freshmen. The goal of the Business Fellows Program is to provide students a unique opportunity to build skills in leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving to prepare students for a successful business career.