First Business Sustainability Certificate Graduate Shares Program Highlights

In December 2023, NC State celebrated its first graduate from the Business Sustainability Certificate program. Andre Little, who earned his MBA and MAC degrees simultaneously through Poole College of Management’s dual MBA/MAC program, chose to earn the certificate to add more value as a management consultant – and to work toward his goal of becoming a thought leader in the corporate responsibility space.

“I transitioned into the management consulting field in 2022 and was motivated to pursue the Business Sustainability Certificate to dive deeper into corporate responsibility sustainability,” Little explains. “The program was the perfect fit for me to explore these areas more thoroughly and equipped me with the skills to help clients achieve their sustainability goals and align these goals with their broader business strategies.”

According to Little, the hands-on experiences that the Business Sustainability Certificate program provided – including evaluating the B Impact Assessment, creating carbon emissions models and studying abroad in Brazil as part of the Business Sustainability in Emerging Markets in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro course – transformed his mindset, expanded his skill sets and gave him real-world exposure to best practices in sustainability.

“The program also provided access to great tools and networks, which allowed me to work on real projects with a renewable rug manufacturer and a sustainable tourism company in Brazil,” he says.

In addition to these hands-on experiences and real-world projects, Little also commends the Business Sustainability Certificate program faculty and curriculum. “The professors were knowledgeable and brought real-world experience to the classroom, which helped bridge the gap between theory and practice.”

Little also credits the faculty with his growth and development outside the classroom, which he found particularly valuable given his role at ScottMadden, Inc. In addition to working as a senior associate, Little serves on the firm’s corporate responsibility core team – which publishes the firm’s annual corporate responsibility report and advances thought leadership about environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations and corporate social responsibility.

“The faculty and resources at NC State were fantastic in supporting my growth both academically and professionally,” he says. “Jessica Thomas has been an amazing mentor and friend, providing guidance and support that’s been crucial to my development.”

The faculty and resources at NC State were fantastic in supporting my growth both academically and professionally.

Reflecting on the wealth of knowledge and professional growth he gained as part of the Business Sustainability Certificate program, Little recommends the program to others eager to advance their career and make a meaningful impact in the areas of corporate responsibility and sustainability – and he offers a few words of advice to future students.

“Dive in headfirst. Take advantage of the expertise of the faculty and seek out mentorship from those in the space who can offer personalized guidance. This includes faculty, certificate alumni and sustainability thought leaders that you will meet in the program,” Little says.

“And remember, corporate responsibility is more than just a reporting framework; it’s about integrating sustainability into strategic planning and daily operations,” he continues. “So, get involved in projects, study abroad and apply what you learn to real-world scenarios. These hands-on experiences will set you up for success in a career focused on sustainability and corporate responsibility.”