UNC Charlotte names MBA program in honor of Joe L. Price ’83
UNC Charlotte has named its Master of Business Administration program the JL Price MBA Program in recognition of the totality of alumnus and longtime University leader Joe L. Price’s decades of service and generosity. Price’s latest philanthropic commitment supports the Belk College of Business, student mental health services and athletics, with both immediate-use funding and planned giving.
The Charlotte MBA, offered through the Belk College of Business, is the No. 1 part-time MBA among North Carolina’s public universities and ranks No. 49 nationally in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings. The program is ranked in the top 20% of the 241 programs evaluated nationwide.
Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber says the naming reflects the lasting impact Price has had across the University.
“Joe, along with his wife, Christine, embodies what it means to invest in the full student experience,” Gaber said. “Through their combined leadership, philanthropy and belief in UNC Charlotte’s mission, they have strengthened academic excellence, student well-being and campus life. Their impact can be felt across our University today and will continue to help make a difference in Charlotte’s future for generations to come.”
Price, a 1983 graduate in accounting, believes his continued involvement with UNC Charlotte is rooted in the role the University played in his life.
“UNC Charlotte was a fundamental springboard for putting me on a path where I was positioned to succeed,” Price said. “The University took a personal interest in me and provided me with the competencies needed to build a strong career and fulfilling life. From that, you can see why staying involved is both a thank you to my alma mater and a way to be part of a University that can provide that same pathway for others.”
Richard Buttimer, dean of the Belk College of Business, said Price’s latest gift will strengthen the MBA program’s ability to serve working professionals and emerging leaders.
“Joe Price understands the power of an MBA that is deeply connected to industry and grounded in real-world problem solving,” Buttimer said. “His support allows us to continue evolving the MBA program in ways that expand opportunity, enhance experiential learning and prepare graduates to lead with confidence in an increasingly complex business environment.”
Price served from 2007 to 2019 on the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees, including as chair from 2016 to 2019, during a period of significant growth for the University. He and his wife, Christine, have focused their philanthropy at the University on areas they believe support students as whole people, including significant investment in the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, housed in a building named in Christine Price’s honor.
Hugh McColl, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Falfurrias Group and a University trustee, has witnessed Price’s leadership in business and on campus firsthand.
“I have known Joe Price for many years as a colleague and a friend, and I have great respect for the way he approaches leadership and service,” McColl said. “We share a deep belief in the importance of UNC Charlotte and the role the University plays in shaping Charlotte’s future. Joe’s support reflects his confidence in the University’s ability to develop talent and strengthen this region in meaningful ways.”
Looking ahead, Price sees investing in UNC Charlotte as an investment in the city and region’s future.
“I was privileged to serve on the board for about 12 years, long enough to see a lot of our University’s growth,” Price said. “Our leadership is doing a tremendous job integrating the University’s capabilities into Charlotte, including preparing a strong, talented workforce that contributes directly to the success of businesses across the region, being a critical partner for industry and providing civic assistance that helps shape our city’s future. This all contributes to being a reason for business growth and relocation to our city. I think the University’s contribution to the Charlotte region’s success will only grow and become more impactful in the years to come.”
More about Joe L. Price ’83
Joe L. Price ’83 is a business leader, investor and longtime advocate for higher education and community impact. He is a partner at Falfurrias Management Partners, where he joined full-time with Fund IV after previously supporting the firm’s portfolio and leading its Industry First campaign focused on technology-enabled services for financial institutions.
Prior to joining Falfurrias, Price served in senior executive roles at Bank of America, including president of consumer and small business banking, chief financial officer and global corporate and investment banking risk management executive. Earlier in his career, he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Price has held numerous leadership and governance roles, including chair of Habitat for Humanity’s worldwide board of directors and chair of the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees. He is also an emeritus member of the Belk College of Business Board of Advisors and has served on the Belk College Turner School of Accountancy Advisory Board. He additionally served on the Campaign Executive Committee for Exponential: The Campaign for UNC Charlotte and on committees that supported the launch of 49ers football and major athletics facilities initiatives.
He received the Belk College Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2022 and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree that same year for his service to the University and the broader region.
Beyond UNC Charlotte, Price supports a range of national and local organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the recent redevelopment of Discovery Place’s Nature Museum, the Charlotte Symphony, Freedom Communities and local at-risk elementary schools.