Best In Class: Fuqua School of Business School for Student Engagement

At the Duke University Fuqua School of Business, a unique culture sets it apart: Team Fuqua. More than just a catchphrase, Team Fuqua embodies the collaborative and inclusive spirit that defines the school. It’s about fostering meaningful connections, where students, faculty, alumni, and staff work together to create a community of trust, mutual respect, and support.

Team Fuqua thrives on the idea that leadership is best cultivated through collaboration rather than competition. From day one, students are immersed in an environment that values teamwork over individualism. Group projects, experiential learning opportunities, and community initiatives are designed to help students harness their diverse strengths to achieve common goals.

“It’s the feeling of never being alone. It’s the comfort of knowing that every slip is met with solace. It’s the fuel that sparks the fire of compassion and unity.”

That’s how Kaveri Gyanendra describes Team Fuqua at Duke University’s school of business. She earned her MBA from Fuqua in 2021 and has been working as an investment banking associate in New York for Bank of America.

Many applicants think Team Fuqua is marketing fluff. But once they enroll as students, they inevitably become true believers in a culture that puts student engagement first and foremost. They come to understand that the notion captures the spirit and community of the student body at the school. “We embrace a culture and mindset of inclusivity, trust, and respectfully challenging one another to push our own boundaries,” he adds. “In a ‘together we go far’ mindset, we unite to battle the many phases of business school: interviews and job searches, long-distance relationships, new and confusing curricula, and being away from the places we each call home. With a strong mentality of care and commitment, we bond to create a new home — one that embraces and celebrates our differences, expands our perspectives, broadens our reach, and develops a new understanding of unity and community.

“Woven into the basic fabric of our brand and culture is sincerity and strength that creates a positive, energetic, and determined community. When adversity hits, we band together for the various phases of exploring the problem, seeking answers, and discussing how our actions can positively influence a new outcome.”

Beyond academics, Team Fuqua extends into extracurricular activities and alumni networks. Clubs, conferences, and social events are powered by a sense of shared purpose, ensuring that everyone feels a part of something greater. This culture not only enhances the MBA experience but also prepares graduates for success in the real world, where collaboration is key to solving complex global challenges.

What truly sets Team Fuqua apart is its alumni network. With graduates spanning industries and continents, the network exemplifies the same spirit of generosity and support cultivated on campus. Whether it’s career advice, mentorship, or business partnerships, Fuqua alumni remain committed to lifting each other up.

At Duke, Team Fuqua isn’t just a tradition—it’s a way of life that leaves a lasting impact on students.

Best In Class: Olin Business School for Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship at Washington University’s Olin Business School stands out as a benchmark for innovation and impact, recognized as one of the very Best MBA Programs for Entrepreneurship by Poets&Quants. In fact, Olin topped the list for five consecutive years.  This prestigious award highlights Olin’s exceptional ability to prepare future business leaders with the skills, resources, and networks needed to transform ideas into successful ventures.

Olin offers over 50 entrepreneurship-focused courses, fostering interdisciplinary thinking and hands-on learning. Signature offerings like The Hatchery—one of the nation’s oldest business-plan courses—allow students to collaborate with local entrepreneurs and investors to bring business concepts to life. Another standout, The League of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs, operates as an accelerator, featuring mentorship from successful alumni like Jim McKelvey (co-founder of Square) and Maxine Clark (founder of Build-A-Bear).

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of Olin’s entrepreneurship program. Initiatives like CELect (Center for Experiential Learning) connect students with startups in St. Louis, San Francisco, and New York for real-world consulting projects. Competitions such as BIG IdeaBounce® offer aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to pitch ideas and secure funding, while the Holekamp Seed Fund provides financial support to student startups, from initial development to scaling.

Olin’s integration with St. Louis’s thriving innovation district, including the Cortex Innovation Community and T-REX incubator, extends learning beyond the classroom, embedding students in a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Coupled with its Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Olin provides a launchpad for business leaders who are ready to innovate and make a global impact.

Poets&Quants’ recognition underscores Olin’s unmatched dedication to empowering entrepreneurial success, solidifying its reputation as a leader in business education.

Best In Class: Darden School of Business for MBA Teaching Excellence

The MBA program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business is renowned for its world-class teaching quality, consistently recognized as one of the best in the world. This distinction stems from Darden’s commitment to providing an engaging, student-centered learning experience, led by a faculty dedicated to innovation and academic rigor.

Darden’s case-method teaching approach lies at the heart of its educational excellence. Unlike traditional lecture-based learning, the case method requires students to analyze real-world business challenges and actively participate in discussions. Faculty members skillfully guide these sessions, ensuring that every voice is heard and diverse perspectives are explored. This interactive and immersive environment sharpens students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

The Darden faculty’s dedication to teaching goes beyond the classroom. Professors are deeply invested in their students’ success, often spending extra time mentoring, coaching, and offering personalized feedback. Many faculty members are also renowned thought leaders and researchers who bring cutting-edge insights into the classroom, bridging theory and practice seamlessly.

Darden’s emphasis on teaching excellence is reflected in its accolades. The school consistently ranks at the top in global surveys for faculty quality and student satisfaction. Alumni frequently highlight the transformative impact of Darden’s teaching on their careers, emphasizing how the rigorous academic environment prepared them for leadership roles in diverse industries.

At Darden, exceptional teaching is more than a tradition—it’s a cornerstone of the MBA experience, shaping students into confident, capable, and principled leaders.

Poets&Quants 2024 Honors

Lifetime Achievement Award for A Dean: Jeffrey Brown of the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business

Lifetime Achievement Award for Admissions: Dawna Clark of the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business

Lifetime Achievement Award for MBA Admissions Consulting: Jeremy Shinewald of mbaMission

Dean of the Year: H. Rao Unnava of UC Davis’ Graduate School of Management

MBA Program of the Year: IMD’s Reimagining of the MBA

MBA Professor of the Year: Wharton’s Ethan Mollick

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