Consulting and Business Development Center

Highlights

The CBDC embodies what it means to be a business school committed to community impact. Established in 1995 by Dean and Professor Emeritus William D. Bradford, Professor Emeritus Thaddeus H. Spratlen, and MBA student (now Director) Michael Verchot, the founding mission was to address real-world challenges and seize emerging opportunities for small businesses owned by people of color or those in underserved communities. Thirty years later, we now advance student careers while uplifting minority-owned and underrepresented businesses. By engaging students with real-world challenges, we enable business growth and deliver lasting benefits for students, businesses, and the communities they serve.

• Programs that train MBA and undergraduate students to directly support small businesses, applying their knowledge to solve real-world challenges in areas like marketing, finance, and strategy.
• In partnership with JPMorgan Chase, our national Ascend program provides a path to growth for diverse small businesses through mentorship, access to capital, and connections with corporate partners.
• Workshops and training programs for business owners to grow critical management, financial, and strategic skills, and position them for success in competitive markets.
• Guided by our innovative M3 model—management skills, access to capital, and market opportunities–businesses get essential resources and students gain hands-on experience.

More ways to get involved