UofL named to GE’s elite ‘executive schools’ list

Inclusion on the list is expected to mean more job opportunities for students

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 8, 2014) — The University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering has been named to General Electric Co.’s select list of “executive schools” and inclusion on the list is expected to mean more job opportunities for UofL students.

GE notified UofL officials of the school’s selection last week, according to Speed School Dean Neville Pinto. Schools are selected for the list based on how well graduates meet GE business and leadership program needs and company culture. Academics, diversity, research relationships and proximity to GE facilities also are considered.

Just 47 institutions have earned the executive school designation, according to information from GE. The list includes Indiana University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Notre Dame and Georgia Tech. UofL is the first executive school in Kentucky.

Pinto said the executive school designation will generate more internship, co-op and full-time employment opportunities for UofL’s engineering students.

“We are delighted that a global industrial leader has selected the J.B. Speed School as an executive school,” he said. “We are now part of the top 50 engineering schools for GE recruitment. Seventy percent of GE’s engineering hires are from executive schools.”

The new hires are frequently tapped for entry leadership programs at GE and given the chance for advancement within the company, according to Pinto.

“Additionally, I expect that the designation will provide many additional opportunities for us to partner with GE, building on an already rich relationship,” he said.

UofL and GE currently collaborate on a number of research projects and university professors teach courses at GE’s Appliance Park.

Recently, GE announced plans to open its first micro-factory, called FirstBuild, on UofL’s Belknap Campus.