Erb Institute

The Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise is a dual-degree program at the University of Michigan that fosters professional education, as well as opportunities for research and engagement supportive of business sustainability. The core educational activity of the Institute is the Master of Business Administration (MBA) / Master of Science (MS) Program, wherein students earn a MBA from the Ross School of Business and an MS from University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE). The Institute draws on faculty expertise throughout the University and has a dedicated Faculty Director -- Joseph Arvai, and two core professors Thomas P. Lyon, and Andrew Hoffman, who have joint appointments in Ross and SNRE.

The Erb Institute was created in 1996 via donations from Frederick A. Erb (BBA ’47) and his wife, Barbara, and is a partnership between the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) at the University of Michigan.

• Focuses on advancing understanding of the complex dynamics of coupled human and natural systems in relation to economic activity;

• Promotes an interdisciplinary approach integrating the natural, social and engineering sciences;

• Links knowledge generation with social action by connecting scholars with practitioners in the search for creative strategies and approaches to transformation; and

• Relies on a strong collaborative network, both internally and externally, to accomplish its objectives.

The schools stated mission is to create a sustainable world through the power of business. To this end, the Institute works to cultivate bold business leaders who adeptly transform companies, industries, and entire economies for systemic sustainability.

When the Erb Institute was founded in 1996, the University of Michigan was home to a few, small-scale activities related to sustainable enterprise. Since then, the Institute has significantly expanded and aligned research, education and outreach efforts. The center's goals include continually expanding and integrating sustainable enterprise work within the larger University, with the ultimate goal of facilitating societal transformation through the development of leadership within the domain of sustainability.

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