In collaboration with the Office of Personal and Career Development, the Center for Global Programs and Studies is launching a new study away program in Charlotte, N.C. Designed primarily for sophomores and juniors pursuing careers in business, the program will welcome its first cohort in Spring 2027.
“The program extends our long-standing commitment to transformative, experiential learning by applying our high-touch, small-cohort model to a high-growth urban center right here in North Carolina,” Assistant Dean for Global Study Away Programs David Taylor said. “The program provides a dedicated pathway for students to develop their academic and professional identities while remaining fully supported by the Wake Forest ecosystem.”
New program offers hands-on experience
Students who join the WFU/Charlotte program will spend the semester in The Pearl, an innovation district surrounding the Wake Forest School of Medicine’s new Charlotte campus, which opened its doors in June 2025.
Taylor said the district is a growing hub for young entrepreneurs and researchers and “will ensure our students gain a comprehensive view of the professional landscape and the vast opportunities available in nearly every field imaginable.”
The study program will initially offer courses in Business and Applied Liberal Arts. Pointing to The Pearl’s partnerships with Atrium Health, the IRCAD North America surgical training center, the real estate company Wexford Science & Technology and the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Taylor suggested that future cohorts may also focus on health and human services.
“We are hoping to offer these additional tracks over the course of the next 2-3 years,” Taylor said.
Alongside three specialized courses, participating students will complete a professional internship with a company in The Pearl.
“It is incredibly exciting to see our internship partners embrace the idea of hosting Wake Forest interns, knowing that they will provide students with the kind of transformative experience that we believe defines a Wake Forest education,” Taylor said.
Students respond
Freshman Sophie Petronzio, an intended finance major looking to expand her professional experience, said she believes “the internship component would allow [her] to apply what [she’s] learning in finance courses to real-world situations.”
“While classes build technical knowledge in areas like financial analysis and markets, working with a Charlotte-based company would help me understand how those concepts translate into decision-making, client interactions and strategic thinking. It would also give me exposure to professional expectations early in my college career, helping me refine both technical skills and soft skills like communication and collaboration,” Petronzio said.
“I would hope to gain practical experience, professional mentorship and a clearer sense of direction within finance,” Petronzio continued. “Being in Charlotte would give me access to companies and professionals who are actively shaping the industry.”
University expands ties to a growing city
In 2025, Charlotte ranked second in the country for job growth, making the city a prime location for students to launch their careers. Additionally, The Pearl estimates its innovation district will create over 17,000 jobs in the next 15 years.
Wake Forest has a particular edge in the N.C. capital city’s job market. According the Wake Forest, over 5,000 young alumni of the university live in Charlotte – more than any other city in the world. Prospective students say they’re excited by the opportunity to begin building their professional networks there during their time as undergraduates.
Senior Sophie Baltzan plans to live in Charlotte after graduating in May to work in consulting for McKinsey & Company.
“Charlotte felt like the perfect place to launch my career because it offers the opportunities of a major city while still feeling approachable and manageable,” Baltzan, a business and enterprise management major with minors in entrepreneurship and psychology, said. “There’s incredible energy and growth happening there, along with strong networking opportunities. It has everything you could want in a city, while still being easy to navigate and full of young professionals starting their careers.”
Baltzan added that she benefited from Charlotte’s extensive Wake Forest alumni network during her job search. Over 5,000 young alumni live in the city.
“The Wake Forest alumni presence in Charlotte has been incredibly valuable,” Baltzan said. “It played a major role in helping me network and ultimately land my full-time role. Alumni were consistently willing to hop on calls, share their experiences and offer thoughtful advice on interviewing and networking.”
“Even after I received my offer, they were generous with their time—offering recommendations on neighborhoods, apartment buildings, and ways to get settled,” Baltzan continued. “That support has made the transition feel much more manageable and exciting.”
Long-term development is a key focus for the program. Leaders say they hope they will strengthen ties between Winston-Salem and Charlotte in the coming years.
“Over the next five to ten years, this program will become a hallmark of the Wake Forest experience,” Taylor said. “Our presence at The Pearl allows us to build vital bridges between Winston-Salem and Charlotte, deepen employer relationships and expand our alumni network. Ultimately, this initiative further establishes the University as a leader in high-impact learning, equipping students with the versatility and confidence to excel in any professional arena they choose to enter.”
