Smith Business Leadership Fellows
Smith Business Leadership Fellows
Exceptional Learners. Fearless Leaders.
Smith Business Leadership Fellows (SBLF) is a flagship program promoting mentorship and community-building in the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Introduced in 2022, the SBLF Program explores two pillars, a "Focus on Me" and a "Focus on We" during students' freshman and sophomore years. The "Focus on Me" pillar explores how to develop personal goals and aspirations that will align with students' personal values while the "Focus on We" pillar focuses on leadership development, working in teams, and building skill sets to enhance the future of business and society. Each of the four SBLF courses exposes Fellows to important topics in today's business world including design thinking, the entrepreneurial mindset, change management and innovation, critical thinking, conflict resolution, and leadership development. SBLF's cohort-based model and co-curricular programming allow students to hear from industry experts, build relationships among peers, hone their business skills, 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. Students who are invited to join the SBLF Program will be notified in early February. Email sblf@umd.edu with any questions.
Curriculum
To complete the SBLF program and qualify for the transcript notation students must complete the four courses outlined below in their first 4 semesters of college. Additionally, SBLF Students have access to specialized sections of required business courses.
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. A “Scholarship-to-Practice” course designation is being sought for this course because it applies insights from recent scholarship in entrepreneurship, leadership and strategic management.
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
Provides students in the Smith Business Leadership Fellows Program (SBLF) with a capstone opportunity to learn in teams in a real-world setting. Companies engage teams of SBLF students with meaningful organizational challenges and dedicate resources to help students address these problems. Student teams enhance their skills in critical thinking, collaboration, negotiation, quality management and communication. These teams then apply these skills to offer value to a client. In the process, students will improve their teamwork skills.
Smaller sections of required Major and General Education courses are available to SBLF Students.
- BMGT110L: Introduction to Business Value Chain
- BMGT220L: Principles of Accounting I
- BMGT221L: Principles of Accounting II
- BMGT230L: Business Statistics
- 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 hosting talks by industry experts, to social events, to study sessions, to exclusive opportunities to network and connect with esteemed faculty and Deans who work at Smith, we constantly provide Fellows with opportunities to connect with their peers, grow their professional network, and hone essential skills for the future.
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.
SBLF 2024 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.
2024 Freshman Mentors
“I wanted to be a mentor for SBLF because in my two years as a student and fellow I have learned so much about Smith and the business world. This position will give me the opportunity to share my knowledge with our younger SBLF community.”
Campus Involvement: SBLF, UH Mentor, CSVC Case Competition Lead, T. Rowe Price Intern, IBM Accelerate Participant
Keola Evans
Marketing and Information Systems
“I am a mentor for SBLF because I want to give back to the same community that has given me so much. I want to pay it forward to the incoming class and provide as much as possible to those around me!”
Campus Involvement: Kharis Campus Ministry
Richard Lee
Marketing and International Business
Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation Minor
“SBLF has been an integral part of my time at UMD thus far. It has helped me with everything from transitioning to college, finding community on campus, developing my goals, and progressing in my career search. I can’t wait to stay involved with this incredible program and meet all the new students.”
Campus Involvement: QUEST Honors Program, SBS, SBLF
Jimmy Miller
Accounting and Management
“I wanted to be a mentor to connect with the younger cohort! Coming into college and being a part of SBLF is such a special experience and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help with this transition and make Smith a second home. I can’t wait to see all that these students accomplish throughout their time in SBLF and at Maryland!”
Campus Involvement: Vice President of Operations for Delta Phi Epsilon, former Vice President of Programming for College Mentors for Kids, DSAC, Smith Ambassador, SBLF Ambassador, former TA for BMGT262L
Joanie Morningstar
Finance and International Business
“I have always been very passionate about mentoring, so I jumped at the opportunity to be able to support the incoming class of 2028. This program has really allowed me to grow and flourish throughout my college career, and I look forward to giving those same opportunities to other students.”
Campus Involvement: Smith Start Ambassador, Delta Gamma Sorority, Club Sports
Sydney Reeves
Finance and Information Systems
“I am a mentor for SBLF because I want to contribute to the positive impact of the Smith community. Mentoring allows me to share my knowledge and guidance with incoming freshmen, just as others have supported me. The SBLF program fosters growth, learning, and leadership, making it exciting to help others on their journey at Smith while being part of a rewarding community.”
Campus Involvement: Scholars Program - Public Leadership, Smith Business Leadership Fellows, Maryland Figure Skating Club - Synchro Team & Treasurer, Advanced Practicum Research
Scarlette Rengifo
Accounting
“I want to be a mentor because I want to be a voice and support system for incoming freshmen as they become acclimated to the college environment: socially, professionally, academically, and emotionally. SBLF has taught me the importance of building an encouraging community and I want to be a part of continuing to grow ours.”
Campus Involvement: VP of Consult Your Community, Dance Captain Terp Thon, Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority, Ambassador for SBLF
Elizabeth Runsdorf
Marketing and Supply Chain Management
“I wanted to become a mentor for SBLF to give back my knowledge and guidance that my mentor provided for me freshman year. My hope is for students to feel comfortable coming to me with questions, and I'd be happy to provide advice about Smith, coursework, or college life in general. The most important thing I have learned during my time in SBLF is to take advantage of every opportunity that aligns with your value proposition, and I'm excited for the incoming freshman to start off their SBLF journey in BMGT162!”
Campus Involvement: The Ed Snider Center (Marketing Intern), Alpha Omicron Pi (Director of Philanthropy), One Love Foundation (President), Teaching Assistant (SBLF and Ed Snider Center)
Caroline Sabo
Supply Chain Management and Marketing
“Throughout my first two years at Maryland Smith, my SBLF mentor supported me in developing a proactive plan to achieve my college and career goals. I constantly looked to my mentor for academic/ non-academic advice. Entering college is a big transition and as a SBLF Mentor, I want to make it as easy of a transition as possible.”
Campus Involvement: Wall Street Fellows Program, Smith Finance Fellows Program, Tamid Investment Fund, Club Lacrosse, Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity
Andrew Shapiro
Master of Finance, Plus 1 Program
Contact Us
If you would like more information about the Smith Business Leadership Fellows Program, please contact:
Amy Bielicki
Program Coordinator, Smith Business Leadership Fellows
301-405-9570
sblf@umd.edu