UNI’s Family Business Center offers new management course to students
The University of Northern Iowa’s Family Business Center (UNI FBC) provides networking, consulting and educational opportunities to Iowa family businesses and, for the first time, is now offering the undergraduate course Family Business Management at UNI to teach students how to navigate a career within a family-operated business. Family Business Management, instructed by Dan Beenken, UNI FBC director, explores generational succession, family governance, management complexities and other key issues unique to family-owned companies.
“Throughout the fall, students will engage with regional family-owned businesses to apply course materials in authentic family business contexts,” said Beenken. “We have a unique opportunity to show students the real-life applications of what they’re learning in the classroom.”
Family firms make up roughly 80% of Iowa’s economy, and these businesses face a unique set of challenges and opportunities including succession planning, next-generation development, governance and other issues impacting the firm's longevity. To help these businesses succeed, the UNI FBC, positioned with UNI’s Business & Community Services, offers panel discussions, annual conferences, peer learning opportunities, direct consulting services, board member matching programs and more.
“Family business is the backbone of Iowa’s economy. It powers most of our state commerce, in particular the small businesses and farms. UNI’s caliber of support is vital to the companies that remain a stable and resilient force in their respective communities. UNI has created an effective, niche resource that is unique compared to other states, and that has positively impacted many family-owned businesses,” said Emily Schmitt, chief administrative officer, generational counsel and third-generation family member of Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield.
To continue providing such programs and services that support Iowa's family-owned businesses, UNI received an additional $400,000 in state appropriations for the current fiscal year to enhance UNI's Family Business Center and UNI's Institute for Decision Making.