As alumni of the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, you know firsthand the transformative power of a UNH business education. Now, Paul College has taken a bold step in shaping the future of business leadership by earning the prestigious PRME Champion School designation. This recognition places UNH among an elite group of institutions worldwide committed to integrating sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility into business education.
What is PRME and Why Does it Matter?
The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) is an initiative of the United Nations Global Compact, aimed at equipping future business leaders with the tools to drive positive change. Paul College became a PRME signatory in 2021, and in 2024 it was selected as a Champion School—one of only three in the U.S., alongside Bucknell University’s Freeman College of Management and Seattle Pacific University’s School of Business, Government, and Economics.
For Paul College alumni, this means your alma mater is leading the charge in preparing students to navigate the evolving business landscape—where sustainability and ethical leadership are no longer optional but essential. This falls in step with UNH’s commitment to sustainability—the university is recognized as one of the most sustainable universities in the nation.
What This Means for Paul College and Its Alumni
This PRME Champion designation affirms Paul College’s commitment to embedding sustainability and social responsibility into:
- The Curriculum – Expanding courses that address sustainability and societal impact across business disciplines and creating new courses.
- Faculty Research – Driving cutting-edge research that influences how businesses operate responsibly.
- Community and Corporate Partnerships – Strengthening collaborations with companies that prioritize the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit.
For alumni, this means your degree continues to increase in value as Paul College enhances its reputation as a national leader in sustainable business education.
“Our efforts to look at business education through the lens of societal impact clearly align with our mission, as well as with our AACSB accreditation standards,” said Luciana Echazu, associate dean for undergraduate education who leads sustainability initiatives for Paul College. “Business schools must do more than prepare students for careers—they must prepare them to be changemakers. Our business and economics students make up the largest proportion of UNH’s dual-sustainability majors, so it is evident that we are meeting a market interest.”
Aligning with Business Trends and Alumni Values
The workforce is evolving, and today’s business leaders—many of whom are Paul College graduates—are expected to drive social and environmental impact alongside profitability. Research shows that Gen Z and millennial employees seek employers whose values align with their own, prioritizing companies that are committed to sustainability.
Paul College Sustainability Fellow Shuli Du, professor of marketing, emphasized the significance of this shift.
“Businesses must adapt to the growing demand for ethical leadership”, said Du. “Paul College alumni are already making an impact in industries where responsible management is key, and this initiative strengthens our ability to support and inspire the next generation of business leaders.”
A Continued Connection to Paul College’s Mission
As a PRME Champion, Paul College will participate in global discussions on advancing sustainability in business education, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our focus on sustainability and responsible management is driven by our commitment to educating students who will make a positive societal impact and become sound managers and leaders. By prioritizing these areas, we ensure the long-term sustainability of businesses, as they are essential for anticipating and mitigating risks, thereby securing the survival and thriving of enterprises in the long run. This initiative ensures that Paul College alumni remain connected to an institution at the forefront of responsible business education.
Whether you’re already integrating sustainable practices into your work or looking for ways to make an impact, Paul College’s continued evolution reinforces the importance of ethical leadership in business. As an alum, you can take pride in knowing your alma mater is shaping the future of business for the better.
Interested in engaging with Paul College’s sustainability efforts? Stay connected and explore opportunities to mentor students, collaborate on research, or contribute to thought leadership in responsible management.
