Wake Forest University announced the grand opening of its new permanent campus at The Pearl innovation district in Charlotte on May 14. University leaders marked the occasion by cutting a Deacon gold ribbon across the entrance to the new suite on the 10th floor, welcoming community members and celebrating an expanded presence in one of America’s fastest-growing cities.
The move is part of Wake Forest’s ongoing effort to deepen its connection with Charlotte, a city consistently ranked among the top five places to live nationally. Charles Iacovou, founding dean of the School of Professional Studies and vice provost for Wake Forest’s Charlotte programs, said that establishing a home at The Pearl demonstrates “the university’s commitment to delivering world-class learning.” He added during his remarks, “Wake Forest has been part of Charlotte for several decades — students, faculty, staff and alumni building their careers here and helping shape this city. We are an integral part of Charlotte’s history and helped shape its dynamic trajectory.”
The new campus suite covers approximately 6,700 square feet with workspaces and meeting rooms overlooking Uptown Charlotte. Lower floors provide classrooms and gathering spaces for students. Over the next year, additional programs from the School of Law—including externships—and study away semesters will join existing offerings from the School of Business and School of Professional Studies at The Pearl.
Since launching operations in Charlotte in 2021, Wake Forest’s School of Professional Studies has provided online master’s degrees, graduate certificates, bootcamps, and executive education. The School of Business has offered an MBA program tailored for working professionals since 1995; more than 2,000 business professionals have earned degrees through these programs. More than 8,600 Wake Forest alumni now reside in Charlotte.
The medical school also plays a central role: In 2025 Wake Forest opened a four-year medical school at The Pearl as part of a partnership led by Atrium Health and Wexford Science & Technology. Dr. L. Ebony Boulware—dean of the School of Medicine—said that bringing together education with research and industry “allows our ideas to move more quickly” while supporting academic excellence.
President Susan R. Wente reflected on her vision when she began her tenure: “I remember thinking that this was a place where Wake Forest could do something even more meaningful…by extending our purpose in terms of education and research missions.” She said partnerships within The Pearl are building “a community committed to innovation” as well as educating future leaders.
Stacie Petter—acting dean for the School of Business—noted that experiential learning opportunities abound because “business does not operate in isolation.” Petter said: “At Wake Forest, education is not just about knowledge… It’s about relationships… With the new Charlotte campus we have an extraordinary opportunity to live that mission.”
