Smith Business Leadership Fellows
Smith Business Leadership Fellows
Exceptional Learners. Fearless Leaders.
The Smith Business Leadership Fellows (SBLF) is a flagship program emphasizing leadership and mentorship in business through a cohort-based program. Established in 2022, the SBLF Program explores two pillars, a “Focus on Me” and a “Focus on We” during students’ freshman and sophomore years. SBLF culminates in a Capstone Project centered around today's Grand Challenges, where our students design solutions that can be implemented to make a direct impact in the state of Maryland. SBLF currently serves 300 students spread between four Cohorts. We help students grow holistically, exploring how business connects to themselves and their values. Through intentional co-curricular opportunities, students have the ability to attend corporate site visits, participate in our signature NYC Trip, mentor other students, study abroad with the SBLF Program, attend national case competitions, and expand their networking opportunities from the moment they arrive on campus.
Admissions
All first-year applicants admitted to the Robert H. Smith School of Business are automatically considered for invitation to SBLF; there is no separate application for SBLF.
Curriculum
To earn an SBLF program notation on your college transcript, SBLF students are required to complete four 3-credit classes (one class during each of their first four semesters of college).
Students complete a Consulting Project during their first semester, which culminates in a final Poster Presentation Session. The SBLF Capstone Course is taken in the spring semester of their sophomore year. This course ties together the learning concepts from the previous three courses and culminates in a final Capstone presentation, which is held at the end of every spring semester. The final Capstone project is a case competition surrounding President Pines’ Grand Challenges of our time.
Fall
BMGT162: The Future of You, Business and Society | 3 Credits
This course is designed to help you explore the future of you, business, and society. Even as the nature of business (the how) evolves with technology, the purpose of business —to create individual and social prosperity (the why) —remains the same. This course will integrate the “why” and the “how” to prepare you for the future of work. You will learn the foundational concepts of how to lead yourself with purpose and develop win-win relationships. You will also learn how organizations solve unmet needs in society, and how they develop and leverage the power of technology and new business practices to create value in a sound and ethical way.
Spring
BMGT262L: The Enterprising Leader | 3 Credits
This course is designed to help develop your leadership skills so you can identify your personal and professional purpose with an entrepreneurial mindset, and create strategies that will help you develop your abilities and achieve your aspirations by collaborating within teams and organizations. The course applies insights from recent scholarship in entrepreneurship, leadership and strategic management and provides students the opportunity to collaborate in teams to solve a problem they find meaningful and pitch their solution to industry.
This course fulfills a Scholarship in Practice and Big Questions General Education requirement.
Fall
BMGT263: Challenge your Thinking, Challenge the Conversation | 3 Credits
“Challenge your Thinking, Challenge the Conversation” is an important component of training the next generation of leaders to address the Grand Challenges of today. It is designed to help you challenge your own thinking and also challenge conversations you encounter within business and socio-economic settings to create meaningful change. You will learn conceptual frameworks and engage in experiential opportunities to develop an active mindset, create psychological safety within yourself and in team environments, and engage in rational and respectful discourse on “hot topics and issues” of the day.
Spring
BMGT264: Capstone Project | 3 Credits
Students in the Smith Business Leadership Fellows Program (SBLF) complete this capstone opportunity by competing in a cohort-wide case competition. Chosen by the students in the program, the case competition each year centers around two of the university’s Grand Challenges. Students’ final projects are evaluated by industry experts. The course culminates in a case competition showcase where all teams present their proposed solutions to a wide audience. Student teams enhance their skills in critical thinking, collaboration, negotiation, quality management, and communication.
Small, specialized sections of required Major and General Education courses are available to SBLF students. These courses are taught by some of the most experienced and esteemed professors in the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
- BMGT110L: Introduction to Business Value Chain
- BMGT220L: Principles of Accounting I
- BMGT221L: Principles of Accounting II
- BMGT230L: Business Statistics
- BMGT367L: Career Search Strategies in Business (restricted solely to SBLF students)
- COMM107B: Oral Communication: Principles and Practices (fulfills Oral Communication General Education Requirement).
Program Activities
Fellows are provided with unique opportunities to engage in community throughout their tenure in SBLF. From our signature NYC Trip, networking events with Industry Professionals, an optional study abroad experience, national case competitions, and community events, we constantly provide Fellows with opportunities to connect with their peers, grow their professional network, and hone essential skills for the future.
Alumni Reflect on the SBLF Program
Jannah Nassar, Xylea Keyfauver, and Sydney Reeves, became the first alumni of the Smith Business Leadership Fellows Program when they graduated from the University of Maryland and the Robert H. Smith School of Business. As members of Cohort 1, our alumni were the first to earn the SBLF transcript notation and complete the SBLF Program. Highly involved in the SBLF community during the program, these students continued to stay involved afterward completing SBLF by working as a Teaching Assistant, serving as a Mentor for our BMGT162 students, or being leaders in our student organizations.
SBLF 2025 Annual Report
This past year was full of exciting innovations for the SBLF program. We are excited to continue growing the program to continuously meet student needs and provide them with exceptional opportunities for learning, growth, and community.
Meet Our Team
Our acclaimed faculty and staff combine real-world knowledge with hands-on learning to help our students not only succeed, but thrive during their time in the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
2025 Freshman Mentors
Marissa Behal
Finance and Management
“I became a mentor for SBLF because my mentor helped me grow so much throughout my first semester, especially in showing me how I can take advantage of the business school and the content of the first SBLF class! I wanted to stay involved in the program and hopefully help my mentees get involved early within the program and the Smith School.”
Campus Involvement: Smith Ambassador, SBLF Ambassador, Phi Chi Theta Business Fraternity, Smith Start Mentor
Giana Colonna
Marketing and Management
“I want to be a mentor because SBLF truly shaped and pushed me throughout my first two years at UMD. I was encouraged to learn and grow, get involved, and make connections, and I want to help the next cohort thrive right when they start their journey.”
Campus Involvement: American Marketing Association VP of Events, Zeta Tau Alpha Director of Sisterhood, TA for BMGT262L, Strategic Design Fellows
Emily Davis
Accounting and Management
“During my freshman year, my SBLF mentor was extremely helpful as I transitioned into college. I would love to be a resource for incoming freshmen as they dive into Smith and SBLF!”
Campus Involvement: Dean’s Student Advisory Council, UMD Athletics Marketing, College Park Scholars - Civic Engagement for Social Good, Club Softball, CRU Ministries
Megan Fannon
Finance and Marketing, Real Estate Development Minor
“I am an SBLF mentor so that I can pay it forward to the new SBLF cohort. I love SBLF because the program helped me get acclimated to the business school and make friends. I can't imagine that I'm done with the program, so I became a mentor! I can't wait to stay involved with the new cohort and support them through their first-year projects.”
Campus Involvement: Real Estate Club, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, SBLF Ambassador, Civic Engagement for Social Good Scholars program
Kathlene Flebbe
Operations Management & Business Analytics
“I wanted to be a mentor because I struggled during my freshman year and know how isolating that experience felt. Having someone to turn to made a huge difference for me, and I want to be that source of support and reassurance for others. I want to help new students navigate challenges with confidence and remind them that it’s okay not to have everything figured out right away.”
Campus Involvement: Warrior Canine Connection Club President, Outreach and Event Coordinator for the Ed Snider Center, SBLF Advisory Board Co-Chair, Undergraduate Assistant with the Smith Advancement Team
Lindsay Funes
Finance and Supply Chain
“I hope to inspire the new cohort and guide them to become the best versions of themselves! I've been in their shoes and I want to help them adapt to the college lifestyle and soak up every opportunity Smith has to offer.”
Campus Involvement: President of Women’s Investing Society, Engagement Intern for the Ed Snider Center, Former president of International Economics and Finance Society, Club Basketball and Lacrosse
Emely Martinez
Information Systems and Operations Management Business Analytics
“I really enjoyed my experience in SBLF and loved how much my mentor supported me throughout my first semester in college. I wanted to do the same for others and be a guide for those adjusting to college and showcase how SBLF has impacted my educational journey. Being a mentor also sounds like a fun way to get to know the new cohort!”
Campus Involvement: Smith Diversity Equity Council, Alpha Kappa Psi, SBLF
Audrey Rea
International Business, Law and Society Minor
“SBLF has really given me so many opportunities to become the best version of myself in all different aspects, but from the very beginning, it really has been so special in how it has shaped the way that I approach leadership today. I would love to be able to say that I did that for someone and I’m able to share that experience with others who are deserving of that same feeling, especially through a mentor role!”
Campus Involvement: UMD Women's Club Volleyball Fundraising Chair, Gamma Phi Beta Administrative Vice President, SBLF Operations Assistant
Margarita Salazar
Finance
“SBLF has provided me with a great community, and I hope to share that experience with the next cohort. As a first-generation college student myself, I understand how huge and challenging this transition can be for many students. My goal as a mentor is to guide them through their journey and be a reliable resource. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and supporting students as they navigate college life.”
Campus Involvement: QUEST Honors Program, First Generation Student Association, Collegiate Financial Management Association (CFMA), Office of Student Orientation & Transition
Maeve Smarick
Marketing, Sustainability Minor
“I want to be an SBLF mentor because I want to help support and uplift the next cohort of SBLF!”
Campus Involvement: UMD Club Swim Vice President, American Marketing Association VP of Marketing
Will Walton
Supply Chain and Finance
“I want to be a mentor for this class because I greatly enjoy contributing to the growth of the SBLF program. The people and resources here have done a lot for me and I feel the urge to give back through my service.”
Campus Involvement: SBLF, Smith Community Council, Zeta Psi Fraternity
Evan Wershiner
Marketing
“I really enjoyed the SBLF experience and I see the value in the process. I hope to guide a few of the incoming cohort 4 on the path that helped me succeed.”
Campus Involvement: Eppley Recreation Center, Rock Climbing
Contact Us
If you would like more information about the Smith Business Leadership Fellows Program, please contact:
Amy Bielicki
Program Manager, Smith Business Leadership Fellows
301-405-9570
sblf@umd.edu