Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning
Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning
The Institute transforms learning through business education innovation, unprecedented faculty support & development, and world-class educational facilities.
Mission
Made possible by the largest gift in Darden history from Sands Capital Founder, the late Frank M. Sands Sr. (MBA ’63), The Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning supports learners globally by providing transformational learning experiences in business education at all stages of their career, through both degree and non-degree programs, in a variety of formats. We achieve this through three primary focal points: world-class learning environments, innovative programming, and recruitment and retention of top-ranked faculty.
Thought Leadership and News
Faculty
Faculty support and development includes the establishment of new faculty chairs to bolster excellence and innovation in pedagogy and engagement with practice, including case writing and course and program development. A $35 million Sands Professorship Fund, comprised of a $21 million donation from Sands plus $14 million in matching funds from the UVA Bicentennial Professor Funds, will support 12 faculty chairs.
Four distinguished professorship chairs honor Darden professors with a legacy of exceptional teaching and commitment to the School:
Melissa Thomas-Hunt
Senior Associate Dean for the Residential Full-Time MBA Program, John D. Forbes Distinguished Professor of Business Administration, Professor of Public Policy at the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
George (Yiorgos) Allayannis
Robert F. Bruner Distinguished Professor of Business Administration
Alan R. Beckenstein
Robert D. Landel Distinguished Professor of Business Administration
Robert L. Carraway
Yiorgos Allayannis Distinguished Associate Professor of Business Administration
An additional eight emerging scholar chairs, called the Sands Professorships, will enable Darden to recruit and develop top faculty as the next generation of master teachers and scholars. In October 2020, the School announced the first faculty appointments to the Sands Professorships:
Toni Irving
Frank M. Sands Sr. Professor of Practice
Lynn A. Isabella
Frank M. Sands Sr. Associate Professor of Business Administration
Paul J. Simko
Frank M. Sands Sr. Associate Professor of Business Administration
Scott A. Snell
Frank M. Sands Sr. Professor of Business Administration
Kimberly A. Whitler
Frank M. Sands Sr. Associate Professor of Business Administration
Peter Belmi
Scott C. Beardsley Associate Professor of Business Administration
Elizabeth A. Powell
Julie Logan Sands Associate Professor of Business Administration, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Director, Compassionate Care Initiative
June A. West
Marjorie R. Sands Associate Professor of Business Administration
Leadership
Meet the team leading the Sands Institute, including the CEO and supporting staff.
In the face of global uncertainty, rapid changes in technology, and a dynamic marketplace, leaders must be able to continually grow, learn and develop to create positive change.