PITTSBURGH - Community service spirit is strong at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University as evidenced by the launch of a student chapter of Net Impact, an influential network of approximately 10,000 MBA students and professionals from around the globe who are committed to employing their business acumen to create a better world. Dedicated to finding solutions to social and environmental issues, Net Impact marshals the talents and energies of its members to make changes that impact local and world communities.

Although new, the Tepper School's chapter is already setting an ambitious agenda. Tepper's chapter has launched a monthly faculty lunch discussion series that examines issues of corporate social responsibility.

The first lunch featured Lester Lave, the Harry B. and James H. Higgins Professor of Economics and University Professor. Lave, who also serves as director of the Carnegie Mellon Green Design Initiative and co-director of the Carnegie Mellon Electricity Industry Center, is a leading expert in energy economics and environmental impact.

The school's chapter also has taken steps to create an internship fund for students who choose to take positions in the nonprofit sector.
Other plans include hosting conferences with other Net Impact chapters, visiting social entrepreneurship organizations, holding faculty debates and establishing a case competition that tackles corporate social responsibility issues.

"While Tepper already offers classes in business ethics and has an active Community Outreach Club, Net Impact activities can build on those activities to broaden student exposure to corporate social responsibility issues," noted Andria Thomas (MBA 2006), president and founder of the Tepper chapter. "The student response to Net Impact has been very positive, and we expect interest to continue to grow."

The establishment of the Tepper School chapter of Net Impact is something that Dean Kenneth Dunn enthusiastically supports. "Encouraging this kind of awareness, this kind of spirit, is an integral part of responsible management education," said Dunn. "Our students have found a vehicle to effect real changes that can have positive impact, both here and around the world."

Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University

Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University

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