Poets&Quants Unveils Inaugural Business Education Awards, Recognizing Excellence in MBA Programs

Poets&Quants, a leading resource for graduate business education coverage, has announced the recipients of its inaugural Business Education Awards for 2024, marking a significant expansion of its annual recognition program. The awards ceremony, held in Knoxville, TN, and hosted by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, showcased excellence across various categories in business education.

H. Rao Unnava from the University of California, Davis Business School was named Dean of the Year, while IMD Business School received the Program of the Year award. Dawna Clarke from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business was recognized as Admissions Director of the Year, and Ethan Mollick from Wharton earned the Professor of the Year title.

In a notable expansion of its awards program, Poets&Quants introduced Lifetime Achievement Awards to honor long-term contributions to business education. Recipients included Dawna Clarke for Lifetime Achievement in Admissions, Jeffrey Brown from Gies Business for Lifetime Achievement in MBA, and Jeremy Shinewald of mbaMission for Lifetime Achievement in Admissions Consulting.

The new Best in Class designations highlight schools excelling in specific areas of business education. Gies Business was recognized for Digital Learning, American Kogod for Artificial Intelligence, and IE Business School for Sustainability, among others.

John A. Byrne, editor-in-chief of Poets&Quants, emphasized the significance of these awards, stating, "Poets&Quants' leadership in the graduate business education market for nearly 15 years gives us unique insight into extraordinary accomplishments in this market. It was a natural progression for Poets&Quants to recognize lifetime achievements that have had an impact on business education."

This comprehensive awards program reflects the evolving landscape of business education, recognizing innovations in digital learning, artificial intelligence, and sustainability alongside traditional areas of excellence. By highlighting these achievements, Poets&Quants provides valuable insights for prospective students, educators, and industry professionals, shaping the future direction of MBA programs and business education as a whole.

The expansion of these awards underscores the dynamic nature of business education and the importance of recognizing institutions and individuals who are driving innovation and excellence in the field. As the business world continues to evolve rapidly, these awards serve as a benchmark for quality and innovation in preparing future business leaders.