Foster hosts the 2019 MLT Conference

Malcolm Forbes, the publisher of Forbes magazine, a popular publication in business circles, defined diversity to be “the art of thinking independently together.” At the Foster School of Business too, diversity is seen as one of the foundations of both successful business strategy and a world-class educational experience. The school conducts various programs and activities and supports multiple student-led organizations to promote and integrate diverse cultures, backgrounds, and thought processes.

The Foster School of Business partners with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), a national nonprofit organization that provides the training, coaching, and networks that historically Foster recently hosted one of the largest MLT MBA Prep Summer Seminars to date, from June 21^st to 23^rd 2019, on the University of Washington’s sprawling campus.

Welcoming the MLT Fellows and conference participants

350+ participants (students, admissions officers, and MLT staff) from across the nation arrived in the beautiful Seattle weather and were given a warm welcome by the Foster school staff and student volunteers. The MLT Fellows’ arrival on campus was preceded by a reception hosted by Amazon at one of its downtown Seattle office locations. Amazon is an MLT sponsor and partnered in hosting the event. Post-check-in on campus, participants were encouraged to get to know 2^nd Year MBA students at the weekly social gathering at a local pub near the campus. Many MBA students, though weary from their summer internships, made their presence felt and were impressed by the sparkling company and conversations with the aspiring new generation of business leaders.

Simplifying the MBA application process

Subsequent days of the weekend went by in a flurry of activities, starting with an address by the new Dean of the Foster School of Business, Frank Hodge.

Dean Frank Hodge interacting with the MLT Conference Participants

A panel of current students and alumni followed, moderated by and currently a 2nd Year MBA Student, Class of 2020. Participants attended various sessions in Paccar Hall through the day with the focus on demystifying the application processes to b-schools. Participants got a chance to interact with admissions representatives of several other leading business schools around the country. The day ended with a social event hosted by Accenture, another partner, at its downtown Seattle office which overlooks the Puget Sound bay.

Panel at the MLT Conference

Focusing on career prep and networking

During the last day of the event, hosted in the University of Washington’s iconic Husky Union Building (HUB), participants attend various sessions, including resume workshops and lectures on building their brand as potential leaders. They also received feedback from admission officers from the business schools in attendance through a speed networking event.

Speed Networking Session for the MLT Fellows with Admission Office

Dedicated efforts by the Foster School

All through, the Foster staff and student volunteers from the MBA program provided guidance on post-MBA career prospects, shared information about the best spots Seattle has to offer, rolled up sleeves to set up the venue and collect trash. The student volunteers demonstrated the commitment to Foster values such as inclusiveness, respect for all kinds of work and excellence in what we do. The student and staff volunteers were led by Melissa Uyesugi, Associate Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Molly Browning, Program Assistant and Event Coordinator, Megan Lewis, Sr. Associate Director, MBA Admissions, and Austin Montgomery, Diversity Initiatives Coordinator, MBA Class of 2020.

Volunteers from the Foster School of Business taking a moment away to pose for a photo

At the closing event, the MLT Fellows shared their thoughts on the benefits they have obtained from being part of MLT, including encouragement, connections, and resources to aspire higher and farther than before. The staff and volunteers stayed on to gather some of the excess food at the event to share at a local shelter and the University District Food Bank, thus keeping up its commitment to helping the community in and around the school.

The Foster School of Business will continue to grow its footprint in contributing to a diverse workforce and leadership in the coming times through such partnerships and events. Read more on Foster’s commitment to and the various resources available to its students.