Faculty and staff gathered at Queens campus in Myers Park on Feb. 27. They came from Elon University and Queens University of Charlotte. Four executives spoke about workforce needs and how the merger could help.

Queens Interim President Jesse Cureton kicked off the session with a challenge. According to elon.edu, he asked attendees to “challenge yourselves to think differently” while working through integration steps. The school has operated for almost 170 years, he said, and has fed workers into Charlotte’s growing industries — healthcare, finance, and tech.

Denise Rotondo leads the McColl School of Business as Dean and co-chairs the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee. She brought together Reggie Willis from Ally Financial, Vonda Huss from Brighthouse Financial, Margi Vagell from Lowe’s, and Kinneil Coltman from Advocate Health/Atrium. They discussed what Charlotte needs from its workers and how these two schools might supply it better together.

The Charlotte Talent Initiative drew attention during the talk. This program works with Ally Financial and Lowe’s to train students. It covers all costs. Students get classes, internships, and guidance from experienced leaders.

Huss talked about her time with the McColl School’s Center for Leadership and Executive Education, which trains managers and graduates. Vagell spoke up about wanting to “lean into our own community when it came to education” and wanting to “keep the talent local, and at the same time partner with academic excellence.” Local training matters.

Willis brought up his own story. Both he and his father finished the McColl Executive MBA Program. More than 50 people at Ally Financial went through programs at the school or earned certificates there.

After the speakers finished, SOAR Strategic Planning Committee members and Integration Team members split into smaller groups. They worked through plans, then ate lunch in McInnes Parlors. Afternoon sessions ended with teams sharing what they’d accomplished.

The merger needs approval from regulators. Paperwork has gone to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges for accreditation review. Strategic and integration teams meet every week. More face-to-face meetings will happen this spring.