Kelley School of Business achieves new high international rankings

Competing against business schools from France to South Africa, The Kelley School of Business customized executive education program has been ranked first among U.S. public universities and 20th in the world, according to an annual survey put out by Financial Times Monday. \nThe rankings are determined by two questionnaires put out by the London-based publication -- a survey of statistical data compiled by the business schools and a client survey that accounts for 80 percent of the school's total score.\nDan Smith, Dean of the Kelley School, said he is especially proud of the program's improvements since last year's 29th place ranking and credits part of its success to its sixth place-ranking faculty. \n"We have a long history of success in partnering with companies to help them address their business challenges through executive education. I am proud of our executive development team and faculty who teach in our programs," Smith said. "The Financial Times ranking reflects their dedication to excellence."\nAdding to the school's 29th overall ranking worldwide, the school's food and accommodations ranked fourth, best value for the money ranked sixth and course designs ranked eighth in the world.\n"We have made a number of leadership changes in our executive education office in the past two years that are now bearing fruit," Smith said. "We have changed our approach to marketing our programs and have improved our service levels to our client firms."\nAs 13th in the nation, Kelley Executive Partners, the executive education arm of the Kelley School, works closely with big-name clients, like Microsoft, Rolls-Royce and General Motors, to offer individualized design programs. \nWith over 50 Kelley School faculty members from different departments working for several clients and firms, the program has been a leader since 1968, working directly to improve business in and out of the classroom.\n"Our programs are custom-designed to meet the needs of specific companies or a consortium of companies," Smith said. "We design programs based on faculty expertise and client company needs."\nProfessor of Business \nAdministration Tim Baldwin, who works for Kelley Executive Partners, said he finds the program rewarding because it allows him to see progress outside of a student setting.\nStaff participate in the program for numerous reasons, including extra supplemental pay and an opportunity to build lasting relationships with other companies; however, students generally aren't involved in the process.\nDespite benefits for staff, executive education is beneficial to the University by incorporating companies into their everyday programs. Baldwin said that it provides the school with more opportunities to maintain longer relationships and recruitment opportunities with familiar students and possible donations. \nBaldwin added he is thrilled about the recent rankings and is confident about the status of the executive education program for the future due to the increase in marketing efforts and its strength in providing custom programs that are specific for each individual client.\n"We have every reason to be positive about an increase in ranking next year," Baldwin said.\nThese new rankings follow recent recognition by Business Week, which ranked Kelley's undergraduate program 10th and its MBA program 18th.