The Center for Business & Society's programs and student-run service organizations provide Tuck students with the opportunity to become involved with both global and local communities. Students can lend their muscle on a Saturday volunteer project, travel to a developing country to offer their insights as part of a consulting project, or apply to serve as on local nonprofit boards of directors. All these experiences teach an understanding of the problems communities face and the managerial skills required to make a difference.
National and International Programs
THE RESEARCH TRAVEL PROGRAM
The interests and activities of business and broader society often overlap resulting in both conflict and opportunity. How will you be prepared to lead when this increasingly complex intersection occurs? Originally called the 10 for 10 Program and conceived as a tribute of Allwin’s 10th anniversary at Tuck in May 2011, the Research Travel Program is open to all students who want to pursue hands on, meaningful research for their environmental or socially focused First Year Project (FYP) or independent study over March spring break. Successful projects are chosen on the merit of an application and awarded funds to support travel. Projects can be individual or in teams, and be regional, national or international in scope. Read about projects in 2013, or watch video of 2012 Research Travel Programs.
THE COUNCIL ON BUSINESS AND SOCIETY
The Council on Business and Society is an international partnership between five of the world’s leading business schools—Tuck, Essec Business School, Keio Business School, University of Mannheim Business School, and Fudan University’s School of Management. The Council is based upon the recognition of the role that businesses can play in helping solve large-scale problems. The Council's annual forum brings together expertise and research around the fundamental questions of how companies are governed and how they are led, and how that governance and leadership can better serve society, today and in the future. Read about past participants here.
TUCK GLOBAL CONSULTANCY
One of Tuck's signature courses is the Tuck Global Consultancy, which sends teams of students overseas for three weeks for a consulting project. The Center for Business & Strategy works with the TGC to develop consultancy projects with a social or environmental focus for nonprofit organizations, companies and NGOs around the world. Read about past projects here and here.
CASE COMPETITIONS
Challenge yourself to apply business knowledge to a vexing challenge, Tuck Student teams participate throughout the year in case competitions with other graduate programs. Topics include corporate citizenship practices, education reform, energy and environmental challenges, non-profit strategies and poverty alleviation. Teams are formed through the student clubs and supported by the Center. Read more about the recent Hult Case Competition.
Local Programs
COMMUNITY OUTREACH DAY
Community Outreach Day underscores the value MBAs can provide to their communities and calls attention to the important role business leaders play as civic leaders. During orientation each year, members of the entering class devote half a day to share ideas on an organizational challenge for nonprofits in the local area. The day culminates with a dinner at which a prominent guest shares personal views on the power of individuals to make a difference in a community and the world. Students find this focus on problem solving to be truly rewarding and a meaningful way to get to know others in the community. Learn more here.
REVERS FELLOWS BOARD PROGRAM
This program aims to strengthen local nonprofits and encourage students to continue their involvement with nonprofits in the communities in which they will live as Tuck alumni. Students use their business knowledge to act as nonvoting members of boards of participating organizations. They attend board meetings and may be assigned to board committees and asked to complete project work. Students benefit by gaining experience applying their business skills, while nonprofits benefit from the addition of newer members with business acumen.
Watch Dan Revers, T’89 and program supporter, discuss the value of serving on non-profit boards.