Scholars Program
Leadership for Society
Scholars Program
Earn credit for exploring a topic of societal importance that you’re passionate about and learn how to lead on the pressing issues of our time by becoming a Leadership for Society Scholar.
Program Overview
The Leadership for Society Scholars program provides MBA students with the opportunity to deeply engage on issues of societal importance and lead peer dialogs on these issues. Students apply to the program in Winter Quarter of MBA 1 and participate through their MBA2.
In this program, Scholars develop a course of inquiry on a particular issue in partnership with advisors and the Stanford network. These self-chosen projects help students cultivate an understanding of the historical and social context for their chosen issue area, develop a perspective on existing and possible solutions, and identify opportunities for societal progress.
Scholars also learn the skills needed to create space for competing viewpoints and put these skills into practice by managing peer dialogs on the Leadership for Society conversation series.
Upon completion of the program, participants will have:
- A clear point of view about their chosen issue area
- The language and skills needed to interact across for-profit business, civil organizations, and government
- The professional network necessary to be an effective leader about this topic in their field
- A deliverable that demonstrates expertise on the chosen topic and readiness to engage on the issues
Focus on an Issue of Societal Importance
Scholars may choose any line of inquiry on an issue of societal importance
Example of possible student projects include, but aren't limited to:
- How should we address potential inequities associated with the gig economy?
- How can we promote fair and productive work cultures?
- How can we ensure geographic equity in the distribution of work?
- What changes to work brought about by COVID should be made permanent? Who has been helped or hurt by these changes?
Engagement
The Scholars Program requires an ongoing engagement over the course of multiple quarters. Starting in the spring of 2023, MBA1 Scholars take GSBGEN 496, a course that facilitates students self-chosen projects on issues of societal importance, providing support from GSB faculty and staff members in order to grow understanding and gain introductions to relevant key stakeholders.
During winter of MBA2, Scholars generate productive discussions across the GSB by managing peer dialogs on Prof. Lowery’s weekly conversations (GSBGEN 495). To learn these skills, Scholars enroll in GSBGEN 494. The next series of conversations, beginning in Winter of 2023, will focus on People and Planet in the Information Era.
Academic Credit
In spring of MBA1, Scholars enroll in GSBGEN 496, a 3 unit course that helps students cultivate an understanding of the historical and social context for their chosen issue area.
During Winter of their MBA2, Scholars are required to take GSBGEN 494, a 2 unit course co-taught by Prof. Lowery & Hugh Keelan, to learn and practice creating productive conversation on issues of societal importance including amongst those who disagree.
Application
Applications for the 2022-23 cohort were due Monday Jan. 31st at 9am.