{"id":73,"date":"2026-04-10T14:09:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T18:09:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/business.cornell.edu\/dyson\/?page_id=73"},"modified":"2026-09-03T14:20:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T18:20:36","slug":"grand-challenges","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/business.cornell.edu\/dyson\/grand-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
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Addressing real-world dilemmas, pressing global issues and inequities<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, we believe in doing business for the greater good. This ethos is epitomized by the immersive Grand Challenges Program. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else — and it’s one more reason Dyson graduates often stand out from their peers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Community-engaged and globally aware<\/strong>
The Grand Challenges Program is a hallmark of the Dyson academic experience. This multi-year program is embedded in the undergraduate curriculum. The program involves a sequence of courses — each building a foundation for the next — and culminates in a team-based capstone project centered on a pressing societal issue. Aligned with the priorities of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Grand Challenges coursework addresses topics such as hunger, climate action, sustainability, and equity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Develop smart and sharp skills through applied learning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Through Grand Challenges, Dyson students develop a robust set of “sharp skills” (e.g., statistical thinking and data analytics) and “smart skills” (e.g., communications and leadership) that make them uniquely qualified to tackle pressing challenges. The knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit fostered in Dyson turn ideas into actions that will impact the world for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students seek course and project options aligned with their passions. Coursework is human-centered and compels students to think critically about “stakeholders beyond shareholders.” Courses build on each other and must be taken in sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. In the first year, students are introduced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while emphasizing critical reflection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Next is a pre-project skills course focusing on the human dimensions of team performance and business success.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The final project course is a client-facing project, with teams working under the close supervision of a faculty member and an MBA coach on a real-world problem at the local, regional, national, or global level.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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    Benefits of the Grand Challenges Program<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n \n
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    The Grand Challenges Program gives Dyson students an unparalleled real-world, engaged-learning experience and a chance to make a meaningful difference in communities near and far. Grand Challenges projects may impact communities locally, regionally, domestically, and abroad. Through the Grand Challenges Program, students may collaborate with non-government organizations (NGOs), non-profits, large and small companies, and startups with innovative and novel approaches to global challenges.<\/p>\n

    No matter what career path you choose, your Grand Challenges experience will help you succeed by becoming a socially responsible leader who uses business knowledge to address society’s most pressing challenges.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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    Critical skills<\/h3>\n \n
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    Develop critical skills in communication, self-awareness, teamwork, cultural humility, project management, customer discover and leadership for societal impact.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n

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    Career connections<\/h3>\n \n
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    Prepare to engage with small businesses and high-profile companies on human-centered projects that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n

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    Community engagement<\/h3>\n \n
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    Become more active in your community and build connections for future engagement. In the Grand Challenges Program, students find a culture of support at Cornell and beyond.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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    Grand Challenges<\/div>\n

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