Dive deeper into leadership
For those who want to dive deeper into leadership, MBA students can apply to selective cohort-based programs. Each program is at least a semester and has an educational component and an opportunity to apply skills to real situations. Whether it is personal leadership, team coaching, or navigating a boardroom, the skills MBA students learn will be used throughout their careers.
Johnson Leadership Fellows
The Johnson Leadership Fellows (JLF) program is an experiential leadership opportunity for second-year MBA students. JLFs coach first-year core teams, supporting their personal and team development, and helping them increase their team effectiveness. Students in this cohort program also take a customized leadership course to further develop role-critical skills such as coaching, facilitating difficult conversations, and resilience. Throughout the program, JLFs also develop a personal leadership portfolio.
Johnson Board Fellows
Johnson Board Fellows partner with local non-profit boards to learn about non-profit governance, gain board exposure, and give back to the community through service. As non-voting volunteer board and committee members, Johnson Board Fellows enhance their understanding of board dynamics, actively apply learnings in real-time with real stakes, and ultimately build critical skills for future service and business leadership roles.
Grand Challenges coaches
Grand Challenges coaches work with Dyson School undergraduate teams for a semester to support their client-facing capstone projects. MBA coaches participate in a highly interactive workshop curriculum to enhance their coaching skills. Coaches apply those skills as they guide their teams in client management, team effectiveness, and producing a high-quality project. Grand Challenges coaches have a unique opportunity to build relationships across the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business while developing their leadership skills.
Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows
The Roy H. Park Leadership Fellowship is a two-year scholarship program for MBA students that provides students a chance to grow as leaders while serving the Johnson School, Cornell University, and the broader Ithaca community. Park Fellows participate in a specialized leadership curriculum, take on leadership roles in the school, and complete service leadership projects for community organizations. Park Fellows are selected during the admissions process.
Hear from our students
The impact of our leadership offerings is best understood by hearing from our participants, whether they focused on one area or wove together multiple leadership experiences to reach their goals.
“Johnson’s leadership program is one of the strongest components of the MBA curriculum. As someone who placed a high value on leadership development when applying to business schools, I was amazed at how seamlessly the leadership program was integrated into the full length of my two years. The MBA goes by quickly, but the impact of the opportunities to continually practice skills and reflect on what kind of leader we want to be now and in the future are lasting.”
Ana Harris, MBA ’23, MILR ’23
“The Johnson Graduate School of Management is well known for their robust offering of Leadership courses. But what I found even more impressive, was how interwoven Leadership development is throughout the entire curriculum! The Johnson Leadership Fellows Program is a great example. From followership, to peer-leadership, to team coaching; being a JLF is a dynamic Leadership opportunity, and was a highlight of my MBA experience!”
Robert (Bob) Reed, MBA ’23
Ready to grow your leadership?
Eager to take on an MBA program that pushes you to lead in ways you never imagined? Apply to our full-time, two-year residential Cornell MBA program based in Ithaca.