UNH Today

For local employers and professionals, executive education can sometimes feel out of reach because it’s either too time-intensive or too customized. 

The University of New Hampshire Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics is changing that with the Leadership Edge, a new executive development series designed with flexibility and accessibility in mind.  

Structured as short, two-day modules taught by Paul College faculty, Leadership Edge allows participants to take one, two, or all three modules. Each module carries a micro-credential, and completing the whole series can be stacked toward MBA elective credit.   

Fall 2025 modules include:  

• Leading People Effectively: Nov. 12–13  
• Innovating a Sustainable Future: Dec. 3–4  
• Driving Strategic Change: Dec. 10–11  

“This is a set of courses built on what we’ve heard companies we work with want and from our faculty’s conversations with peers at other universities,” says Peter Lane, a professor of strategy and strategic management, who is teaching in the program. “These represent the most in-demand skills managers and organizations need right now to be successful and competitive.”  

Creating a more compact and accessible program is key to extending its reach across the local business community, according to Carrie Rosalia, executive educational program coordinator. 

“Not every organization can afford a full custom program,” Rosalia says. “What’s exciting about Leadership Edge is that it takes the expertise of those offerings and makes it accessible to smaller organizations that may only be able to send one or two employees. It also opens the door to ambitious professionals who want to invest in themselves.” 

Billur Akdeniz, faculty director of executive education and professor of marketing, says another defining feature of the program is that it’s taught entirely by Paul College’s core faculty 

“It’s a higher level of instruction, delivered by research-active faculty who are publishing in top journals, writing books and articles, earning grants, and truly leading in their fields,” Akdeniz says. 

Additionally, Paul College has long-standing relationships across a wide range of industries — from healthcare and advanced manufacturing to consumer products, retail, banking, and supply chain — where faculty have developed custom executive education programs, giving them insight into the emerging needs of businesses. 

“Many of our faculty also work with businesses, which gives them insight into what organizations need now, not what they needed five years ago,” Akdeniz says. “The challenge is to stay timely without getting too far ahead. I like to think of it as a blend: the evergreen skills that will always matter combined with emerging needs driven by technology, workforce shifts, and policy changes.” 

Leadership Edge session sizes will be small, allowing participants to engage directly with faculty and peers. Lane compares the sessions to a scavenger hunt, noting there are always key takeaways to uncover, but the order and focus will shift depending on participants’ interests and experiences.  

“We’re not just talking at people,” Lane says. “There’s a small amount of pre-work — maybe some reading or a self-assessment — and then the sessions alternate between new content, group discussions, and activities where participants apply what they’ve learned. We finish by asking two questions: What did you find most interesting? And what are you going to do differently tomorrow?”  

Organizers also hope the sessions will inspire some participants to consider further education, creating a “glide path” for those who may decide to pursue an MBA.  

Early reaction to the launch of the program has been positive. Alumni have engaged with announcements on social media, with one writing on LinkedIn: “What awesome content and smart structure allowing the flexibility to attend à la carte.” That enthusiasm builds on the success of Paul College’s recent customized executive education programs, including the New Hampshire Physician Leadership Development Program and the Leadership Foundations Program with the New Hampshire Bankers Association, which have earned strong reviews from the business community. 

Lane, who has organized and taught in multiple customized executive education programs, says lowering the barrier to participation is especially important in New Hampshire, where most companies are small businesses — defined as those with 500 employees or fewer.  

“We hope that the program’s flexible design meets Paul College’s and UNH’s goal of making a positive impact on the state,” Lane says. “I care about this university and what it can do for New Hampshire, and making leadership education more accessible feels like the right thing to do.” 

The frequency and focus of future sessions will evolve based on participant feedback. Learn more about the program here.