Alumnus Establishes the Patrick Sheridan Endowed MBA Scholarship Fund to Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at McDonough

For Patrick Sheridan (MBA’09), work has no borders and no boundaries. 

That is the philosophy that guides his company, Modus Create – a global team of remote consultants that provide digital transformation and future of work strategies for companies throughout the world.

To carry forward his emphasis on diverse perspectives, Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business recently established the Patrick Sheridan Endowed MBA Scholarship Fund, a merit-based award to support the diversity, enrichment, and advancement of McDonough and its community. 

All full-time and flex MBA students are eligible to apply for the scholarship, with special consideration given to those who are able to uniquely contribute to the diversity and cultural understanding of the McDonough community.

“When we incorporate varied perspectives and experiences into our work and collaborate to solve some of the most difficult challenges or biggest opportunities, we can create meaningful impact for both our clients and our communities,” said Sheridan. “This scholarship is an extension of my company’s mission, my personal values, and the shared vision for the McDonough MBA program.”

Grounded in the Jesuit values of community in diversity, the McDonough School of Business is committed to creating an inclusive environment where students of different backgrounds and perspectives have access to opportunities and resources needed to pursue their goals. 

And these professional goals, Sheridan recognizes, rarely follow a linear path. 

“It took me nine years to identify my career path and earn a degree, so I know firsthand how challenging it can be to pursue employment with a non-traditional background,” he said.

“My firm is known for leveraging self-taught and highly accomplished technologists in undertapped communities throughout the world. We look beyond traditional qualifications, and instead seek employees who view growth and learning as a continuous process.” 

Modus Create identifies opportunities to maximize potential – for both their client’s digital strategy and for Modus’s own talent sourcing approach. Sheridan implemented a fully remote, global recruiting strategy to ensure his company identified the best talent, regardless of their location. Their global network of employees span across six continents and 50 global cities. 

In 2021, his company was named one of the Top 25 Companies in the Greater D.C. Area for Diversity by the Washington Business Journal.

The Patrick Sheridan Endowed MBA Scholarship Fund is an extension of a larger movement to progress diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at McDonough. In addition to his philanthropic contributions, Sheridan also serves as a member of the MBA Alumni Advisory Council (MAAC) DEI subcommittee as an advisor and partner in advancing diversity initiatives and programming for graduate students.

In 2020, Sheridan and his co-founder, Jay Garcia, also established the Modus Create Endowed MBA Scholarship, a merit-based award to develop the workforce in Latin America and support international full-time and flex MBA students.  

“Diversity and inclusion are central to the McDonough MBA experience, and we are continuously seeking new opportunities to recruit, support, and celebrate a diverse class of students,” said Prashant Malaviya, senior associate dean for MBA programs. “Patrick exemplifies the very best of our Georgetown community, and his generosity will enable the MBA program to further DEI efforts on a much larger scale.”

As Modus continues to expand to new countries and communities throughout the world, Sheridan hopes to create new touchpoints for service and outreach to build up the workforces in these regions.

“It is imperative that we look to the future of our communities of influence, including partners in business, technology, and academics, to ensure we maximize the potential of our international talent pool and do our part as a global citizen to serve others. This scholarship is a wonderful way to support our emerging global leaders – both in the existing workforce and the one we’re hoping to create.”