Experiential learning is a key component of the educational experience in the School of Business. Through a variety of initiatives, most notably our Learning Accelerators, we offer our students the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience while still in the classroom. These accelerators include:

• UConn/GE edgelab, a partnership between UConn and General Electric
• Student Managed Fund, in which students administer a $2 million endowment
• SS&C Technologies Financial Accelerator, where students develop solutions to insurance and financial industry challenges
• Innovation Accelerator, in which students learn to identify and capture business opportunities
• Sustainable Community Outreach and Public Engagement (SCOPE), which promotes social entrepreneurship

In this issue of UConn Business, we take a look at our newest learning accelerator, SCOPE. SCOPE promotes social entrepreneurship and innovation by working with organizations that have social outreach and community impact as a significant part of their strategic missions. In "Student Perspectives," we feature the reactions of two students who participated in one of SCOPE's first initiatives, the Social Entrepreneurship in Guatemala internship.
In addition to our accelerators, the School of Business also engages in a number of experiential partnerships with prominent local companies through our Executive Education Program. One of the most innovative of these endeavors is the Northeast Utilities Finance Academy.

In "Research Notes," we look at Business Law Professor Robert Bird's assessment of how many corporations fail to recognize the competitive advantages to be gained from their legal departments.

Jean M. LaVecchia '81 MBA, Vice President of Human Resources at Northeast Utilities, has enjoyed a diverse and rewarding career. "On the Business of Energy" brings the insights she has gained to our "Alumni Perspective" segment.

In addition to the articles cited above, we also present recent news and events in our Business Briefs and Alumni Notes sections. For up-to-date information on what's been happening in the professional and personal lives of our alumni, please be sure to take a look at these features.

We hope you enjoy this issue of UConn Business, and we encourage you to contact us with comments and suggestions. As always, we trust that this magazine will keep you informed about your alma mater and will be a reminder of the diversity and vitality of our faculty, students and alumni.