Giving Back: The Johnson School Board Fellowship Program
By Edward Walker JGSM '10
Issue date: 12/1/09 Section: Features
The Johnson School Board Fellowship Program was formed in 2008 adopting a model created by other top-tier business school programs. Now entering its second year, the Program aims to improve our community by leveraging the education of tomorrow's business leaders and using nonprofit boards as vehicles of empowerment. The Board Fellowship Program matches MBA candidates with nonprofit organizations in Ithaca and the Greater Tompkins County area. Fellows are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to service and a history of academic and professional excellence.
Once selected, the student is paired with a nonprofit organization, serving on the board of directors from September through April of his/her second MBA year. Although the Fellow does not participate in voting matters, he/she gains a substantive understanding of board governance and operations, as well as the complexities of nonprofit management. Fellows are expected to actively participate by attending board meetings and joining committees-providing valuable insight while simultaneously learning to navigate the boardroom environment. Accordingly, the Board Fellowship Program helps strengthen ties between the Johnson School and the Ithaca community, fostering collective empowerment and experiential learning. Fellows commit approximately ten to twelve hours each month attending board and committee meetings.
During the 2009 - 2010 academic year, the Board Fellowship Program has partnered with the following local organizations: Cancer Resource Center, Franziska Racker Center, Women's Opportunity Center, Science Center, Community Foundation, Kitchen Theatre, Hangar Theatre, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and the United Way.
Our community is richer due to the contributions by these and many other nonprofit organizations, whose dedication of time and resources helps fund and promote the arts, education, literacy, health, and family and child development. However, these organizations are not without need. The education we receive at the Johnson School is one that can be applied both to Fortune 500 companies and to the nonprofit sector that serves our community. The Board Fellowship Program represents one way that we can give back to a community that has given us so much.
Once selected, the student is paired with a nonprofit organization, serving on the board of directors from September through April of his/her second MBA year. Although the Fellow does not participate in voting matters, he/she gains a substantive understanding of board governance and operations, as well as the complexities of nonprofit management. Fellows are expected to actively participate by attending board meetings and joining committees-providing valuable insight while simultaneously learning to navigate the boardroom environment. Accordingly, the Board Fellowship Program helps strengthen ties between the Johnson School and the Ithaca community, fostering collective empowerment and experiential learning. Fellows commit approximately ten to twelve hours each month attending board and committee meetings.
During the 2009 - 2010 academic year, the Board Fellowship Program has partnered with the following local organizations: Cancer Resource Center, Franziska Racker Center, Women's Opportunity Center, Science Center, Community Foundation, Kitchen Theatre, Hangar Theatre, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and the United Way.
Our community is richer due to the contributions by these and many other nonprofit organizations, whose dedication of time and resources helps fund and promote the arts, education, literacy, health, and family and child development. However, these organizations are not without need. The education we receive at the Johnson School is one that can be applied both to Fortune 500 companies and to the nonprofit sector that serves our community. The Board Fellowship Program represents one way that we can give back to a community that has given us so much.
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