HIGHLIGHTS

• WFU is launching a new study away program in Charlotte for sophomores and juniors.
• The program blends rigorous coursework with high-impact professional experience.
• A Charlotte network of nearly 9,000 provides deep-rooted connections.

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Wake Forest University is launching a new study away program in Charlotte for sophomores and juniors that will integrate rigorous academic inquiry with high-impact professional experience. 

The program is designed to allow students to explore the intersections between business and the liberal arts. The first cohort in 2027 will tackle subjects ranging from the modern business landscape to data visualization and leadership and character.

“This program allows our foundational strengths—rigorous classroom learning and intense student-faculty engagement—to intersect with the opportunity to explore and shape professional life,” said Vice Provost for Global Affairs Kline Harrison. By capitalizing on Wake Forest’s presence at The Pearl, we are creating a powerful opportunity to integrate academic distinction with industry-aligned experiences.” 

Future offerings are expected to expand into health and human services, as well as medical device engineering and innovation—aligning with the district’s focus on life sciences.

Partnerships first

A hallmark of the program is its partnership with Wake Forest’s Office of Personal and Career Development. Unlike many internship programs where students search for roles independently, Charlotte participants will be matched with identified opportunities at small and mid-sized for-profit and non-profit organizations.

“Semester-long internships in emerging fields are vital to the evolution of higher education,” said Wake Forest’s Senior Vice President and Chief Partnerships Officer Mercy Eyadiel. “They provide the deep, hands-on experience today’s workforce demands.” 

Michelle Horton (MBA ‘02), vice president of Talent Development at Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, sees the program as a win for the community as much as the students. Opportunities to engage with the city’s industries while taking classes will help students build the knowledge, skills and experiences that employers are seeking. 

“Our student interns can contribute meaningfully while exploring how their academic strengths, interests and values connect to real work that strengthens our community,” Horton said. “We are excited about welcoming undergraduates, even those early in their academic journey, to learn from our teams, bring fresh perspectives, and see firsthand how talent and purpose intersect.”

The power of The Pearl district

Situated just 80 miles from the Reynolda Campus in Winston-Salem, the program allows students to remain connected to the University while immersing themselves in an urban landscape. Through The Pearl, Charlotte’s innovation district, Wake Forest is strengthening employer relationships and expanding experiential learning.

Over the next 15 years, the district is projected to generate more than 5,500 on-site jobs and 11,500 total regional jobs, making it a catalyst for economic growth.

“The Charlotte program will fortify our alumni network and provide extraordinary opportunities for our students to integrate their academic coursework with real-world leadership,” said David Taylor, assistant dean for Global Study Away. “We are building important bridges between Winston-Salem and Charlotte and between alumni and current students.”

Life in the Queen City

Following the University’s Wake Washington Center model, students will live in fully furnished, shared accommodations within easy commuting distance of The Pearl.

For students like Sophie Spangler (’25), a communications major whose Charlotte internship led to a full-time role, the “vibe” of the city is a major draw. “The opportunity to experience the city and what it is like to live and work there will be a draw for undergraduate students. You have a chance to see if you fit in—to find your favorite coffee shop or sports bar. And it will be less scary to build new friendships in a new place with other Wake Forest students doing the same thing.”