Global Leadership Development Program

The Global Leadership Development Program is a new initiative by the Full-Time MBA Program. Launched during the 2012-2013 academic year, the Program is aimed at fostering leadership and development of critical business skills in our MBA students within a global context. Research shows that MBA students who complete leadership programs are more likely to secure the jobs they want upon graduation. Demand for new hires with leadership skills is high, and employers target students with these types of experiences during recruitment. The Global Leadership Development Program is comprised of three parts:

1. The first year experience, which is required for all students, and includes two Global Leadership Forums, an executive speaker series, and PRIME travel
2. Second year elective coursework and leadership experiences, which are optional
3. The Global Leadership Fellows Program, offered through an application process to a select group of second year students

The First Year Experience

The Global Leadership Development Program begins with the first year experience. Each semester, all first year students participate in a Global Leadership Forum, held in conjunction with their core curriculum. The purpose of each Global Leadership Forum is to expose students to a variety of executives and leaders facing business challenges that reach all parts of the world. Past keynote speakers have included Steve Liguori, Executive Director, Global Innovation and New Models at GE; and Bob Eckert, former Chairman of Mattel, Inc. As part of the fall Forum, all 39 first-year core teams compete in a case competition as well, allowing students to apply their learning to a real global business issue.

The Global Leadership Speaker Series is a week-long event that takes place during the first semester. Senior executives are invited to speak to students during their core classes to discuss current issues they face as leaders of their organizations. The first-year experience concludes with PRIME international travel.

Second Year Experiences

To complement and enhance students’ first year Global Leadership Development Program experience, we recommend a number of curricular and extra-curricular activities to round out the second year. These experiences are optional and include recommended elective coursework, leadership positions within the Marshall community and global experiences, such as the International Exchange Program.

Global Leadership Fellows Program

The Global Leadership Fellows Program is an opportunity for a select group of Marshall Full-Time MBA students to strengthen and enhance their leadership skills through coursework and hands-on learning experiences during their second year. The Global Leadership Fellows Program emphasizes students’ personal leadership, understanding style and development by building on the foundations laid out in the core curriculum, the PRIME travel experience, and other components of the first year experience.

MOR-567: Interpersonal Influence and Power, is a required course for the Fellows Program. Under the guidance of Prof. Robert Turrill, students gain leadership experience through a number of activities, including selection and completion of a project for a non-profit organization. Students develop their personal set of leadership goals, reflect on their experiences and learn from each other throughout the process.

Students must also demonstrate leadership, scholarship and service in the Marshall community throughout their second year in order to earn the distinction of Marshall Global Leadership Fellow.