Offering nationally unique leadership training experiences, the Accenture Leadership Center will open its doors to undergraduate pre-business, business and engineering students at the University of Wisconsin this month.

According to the program's website, ALC will offer participants hands-on experience in a lab atmosphere, enabling students to practice their newfound skills and ideas about leadership in a realistic setting outside of the standard classroom form.

The center offers many levels of involvement "from introduction to immersion" according to Jim Wierzba, one of the founders of the center.

"We want this to be the highest quality program that teaches leadership skills based on key principles such as integrity," he added.

Open to any undergraduate student enrolled in the UW School of Business or Engineering — as well as pre-business students — the program offers one intensive six-day session of hands-on learning, as well as six shorter group sessions led by experienced business practitioners. The program also provides an opportunity to work on a major project for the School of Business or the broader Madison community.

Wierzba, a retired Accenture partner who earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from UW, is now working with other Accenture employees and retirees to run and fund the program. Accenture, a Milwaukee-based company, provides consulting, technology and outsourcing services across the United States and globally.

According to Wierzba, retired and active Accenture employees have been storing funds for years in hopes of making an impact on UW's School of Business.

"[We] wanted to give students the chance to identify and learn more about their own leadership styles," Wierzba said. "But, most importantly, [we wanted to] be able to practice it with the ultimate goal that the students will become better leaders and have a greater impact on the school, their peers and the broader community."

Wierzba added that one of the goals for the center, along with teaching leadership in a new way, is to help differentiate the students when they enter the job market while also differentiating UW from its peer schools.

The new program has generated much enthusiasm and support at UW.

"The great thing about [ALC] is that the program will capitalize on the UW's history of producing leaders," said Michael Knetter, dean of the School of Business. "We have a great legacy to build on."

As of now, no course credit is offered for the programs the center offers, but according to Knetter, participation in the programs "definitely would enhance an application" to a limited enrollment school.

And Wierzba and his associates are prepared to do what it takes to help their vision take shape.

"Beyond just giving our money, a number of us are making commitments to be on campus as instructors, coaches and mentors," Wierzba said. "We are prepared to roll up our sleeves and help make this a success."

More information is located on the ALC website, www.bus.wisc.edu/alc/about.asp.