News Summary
A group of experienced executives has shifted from corporate roles to teaching at Chapman University and UC Irvine, aiming to enrich the educational experience for future business leaders. Notable figures like Hank Adler and Adam Fingersh are sharing their industry insights, facilitating real-world learning, and improving student enrollment. Their contributions have garnered attention from the Business Journal as they bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application for aspiring professionals.
Irvine, California – A group of seasoned executives has transitioned from successful careers in various industries to academia, sharing their extensive knowledge and experiences with students at Chapman University and UC Irvine. These professionals, including Larry Wilk, Hank Adler, Adam Fingersh, and Thomas Sherlock, aim to prepare future business leaders for the challenges they will face in the professional world.
Hank Adler, a former tax partner at Deloitte, began teaching at Chapman University immediately after retirement. He has been actively involved in teaching various accounting classes for over 20 years, witnessing substantial increases in student enrollment. Under his initiatives, accounting major graduates at Chapman’s Argyros College of Business and Economics have jumped from just 10 to between 50 and 70 per year.
Adam Fingersh, who has been with Experian PLC since 2005, took a teaching role at UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business six years ago. He teaches a course entitled “Business Transformation,” which focuses on the pivotal financial, cultural, marketing, and product transformations experienced by companies. Utilizing real-world case studies from major firms such as IBM and Starbucks, Fingersh engages his students in practical team projects. His classes, which initially saw low enrollment due to the pandemic, have grown to accommodate 45-50 students each year since the course was introduced. The Socratic method employed during lectures encourages students to integrate knowledge across various subjects, applying their learning in tangible ways.
Thomas Sherlock, who co-founded Talonvest Capital Inc. and has 25 years of experience in the real estate finance sector, teaches the graduate-level course “Management of the Real Estate Enterprise” at UC Irvine. He began this role in 2018, having previously connected with the university through a scholarship program for MBA students and various guest lecturing engagements.
Larry Wilk, a former Disney executive, highlights the importance of their teaching approach in equipping students for real-world challenges. The combined experience of these executives allows them to offer invaluable insights into the business world, facilitating a practical learning environment for their students.
The combined efforts of these esteemed professionals in academia have sparked interest in higher education, leading to a special report by the Business Journal focusing on their contributions. With a shared commitment to imparting industry insights, these educators hope to positively influence the next generation of Orange County’s business leaders.
This transition from corporate roles to teaching not only enhances the educational framework within local universities but also builds a bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical application. By guiding students through their wealth of knowledge, they are shaping a future workforce that is prepared, informed, and ready to tackle the complexities of the business landscape.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Chapman President Matt Parlow Settles into New Role
- OC Business Journal: Chapman Names Matt Parlow as Next President
- OC Register: Chapman University’s Mathematician President Hands Over the Reins
- LA Times: Chapman Students DEI Protest
- OC Business Journal: Struppa Says Chapman Doing Well Financially
- Wikipedia: Chapman University
- Google Search: Chapman University news
- Google Scholar: Chapman University
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chapman University
- Google News: Chapman University
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The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
