The Fairfield Dolan Consulting Hub connects partner organizations with student consulting teams for meaningful, real-world projects. Through these faculty-supported consulting projects, student teams provide impactful solutions for partner organizations.

How the Fairfield Dolan Consulting Hub Works

After an organization submits a project inquiry, a member of the consulting hub team will reach out to discuss project needs and goals. Whether a project is fully defined or still taking shape, the consulting hub will help develop a plan for a successful consulting engagement.

At the project intake phase, we work with partner organizations to:

  • Define a focused and achievable project
  • Establish clear expectations, timelines, and deliverables
  • Identify students with the right skills and interests
  • Provide faculty expertise and academic oversight
  • Support professional communication and project management
  • Deliver meaningful outcomes for the organization and students

Once project details are finalized, a student consulting team is assigned, and faculty advisors provide guidance throughout key stages of the project. Student teams then provide research, analysis, and actionable recommendations tailored to individual business needs.

Does your organization have a project in mind? Check back soon for our project intake form.

Key Features

Fresh Perspectives

Gain new ideas and perspectives from motivated business students who approach your challenge with curiosity and a willingness to explore new possibilities.

Actionable Insights

Student teams conduct research and analysis designed to produce useful recommendations and tangible deliverables.

Faculty Expertise

Fairfield Dolan faculty oversee projects and provide subject-matter guidance to help ensure projects meet professional level execution and maintain academic rigor.

Access to Talent

Engage directly with high-potential Fairfield Dolan students and build relationships with employee prospects. Your dedicated student consulting team will be selected based on your project’s needs.

Structured Engagement

Partner organizations will experience clear communication and defined expectations, creating an impactful experience for both the organization and student team.

Support Student Career Readiness

By participating, your organization is also providing an experiential learning opportunity for students. Throughout the project, students will advance skills in areas such as communication, collaboration, analysis, problem-solving, and project-management.

Example of Project Questions

  • How can we expand our customer base among a new target market?
  • What opportunities exist for us to grow into a new geographic market?
  • How does our competitive positioning compare with key competitors?
  • What should our organization consider before launching a new product or service?
  • What trends should inform our strategic planning for the next three years?

Frequently Asked Questions

We welcome project ideas from Fairfield alumni, employer partners, businesses, startups, nonprofits, and other organizations interested in working with Fairfield Dolan students.

No. Projects can span industries and business functions. The key is having a meaningful challenge that can be appropriately scoped for a student consulting team.

Most projects are designed to run approximately 4–14 weeks, although the timeline depends on the project scope, student experience, and format.

Partners should be prepared to identify a project contact, participate in an initial scoping conversation, provide relevant information or data when appropriate, meet with the student team at agreed-upon milestones, and provide feedback on the final deliverable.

Students lead the project, but they are not working without support. Fairfield Dolan faculty advisors and the Consulting Hub provide guidance throughout the engagement.

We ask that partner organizations discuss confidentiality requirements during the project-scoping process. The consulting hub team will work with partners to determine appropriate expectations around organizational information and project deliverables.

Eligible Consulting Hub projects have no fee.

Meet The Team

Fairfield University shield logo with red stag
James Hexter
Adjunct, Management

As faculty director, James Hexter establishes the academic standards and vision for FDCH, approves project quality and alignment, and serves as a liaison to Fairfield Dolan’s academic departments and curriculum.

Fairfield Dolan Faculty Advisors

Faculty advisors provide subject-matter expertise throughout the project, helping student teams navigate key milestones while ensuring professional-level execution and academic rigor.