Business Scholars Program

The Business Scholars Program (BSP) seeks to provide targeted support, academic resources, and co-curricular programming to promote the success of first-generation, limited income (FGLI) college students who pursue business as a field of study. Housed under Georgetown’s Center for Multicultural Equity and Access (CMEA), BSP offers first-year McDonough students opportunities throughout the academic year to promote the success and retention of underserved and FGLI students in business education.

Mission

Through early curriculum exposure and mentorship, BSP seeks to enhance each scholar’s introduction to both Georgetown and the McDonough School of Business. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion drives our pledge to scholars to continually bridge gaps for first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students in McDonough to ultimately expand access and growth opportunities in and out of McDonough. BSP values the unique backgrounds and experiences of our community and strives to empower all scholars. By providing access and programming to BSP scholars, we open the door for them to succeed and thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

Program Components

Before Year 1

BSP scholars take two summer courses at Georgetown: MARK 220 (Principles of Marketing) and WRIT 012 (Reading and Writing Seminar) to earn 9 credits towards their degree program.
Throughout the summer, BSP scholars are engaged in workshops with McDonough faculty and the Undergraduate Program Office on topics such as networking, personal branding, preparing for the first semester, and more.
Summer scholars gain valuable insight into how to be a successful McDonough student by being on campus before other students arrive.

Year 1

In the fall semester of the first year, BSP scholars are automatically enrolled in UNXD 050 (Mastering the Hidden Curriculum), a 2-credit course that is intended for students that identify as FGLI to equip them with the skills and cultural capital to navigate Georgetown’s academic community and collegiate environment. By the end of the course, students will gain knowledge of available Georgetown support systems, tools for academic empowerment, and a great understanding and awareness of their identity.
Throughout the first year, BSP scholars will participate in workshops with their peers and the McDonough Undergraduate Program Office and BSP team on academic and co-curricular topics.
BSP scholars have access to various McDonough signature programs, including Smart Start, a partnership with PwC. Additionally, BSP scholars will have the opportunity to apply to the McDonough Success Fund, created to reduce financial barriers for Georgetown McDonough students.

After Year 1

BSP scholars will continue to work with CMEA and the McDonough Undergraduate Program Office team for personalized advising and degree completion.
Scholars will have access to guest speakers, lecturers, and academic workshops in accounting, statistics, and finance, and seminars for career and summer planning support for their business courses and beyond.
BSP scholars can serve as mentors for future scholars, either through CMEA or by becoming a mentor with McDonough’s pre-orientation program, Building Undergraduates Invested in Leadership Development (BUILD).