Learn how to successfully participate in a globally diverse business environment
Engage in discussions on how diversity, inclusion, and cultural intelligence relate to business in a global setting by becoming a Global Engagement Scholar.
The Global Engagement Scholars Program is a semester-long series of workshops on topics such as cultural intelligence and cultural values, unconscious bias, and how to recognize these factors in the workplace. Session leaders are certified in Unconscious Bias and Cultural Intelligence training from the Cultural Intelligence Center. Students who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion and an honors cord to wear with graduation regalia.
Learning Outcomes and Session Outline
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and understand important dimensions of intercultural competence development
- Recognize and acknowledge your own biases and how they may impact relationships with others
- Develop valuable strategies for working with people who have different abilities, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors
- Prepare students to become professionals in a diverse workplace where collaboration in culturally diverse settings is necessary
Session Outline
- Session I: Cultural Values (who am I?)
- Session II: Cultural Competency
- Session III: Compassionate Conversations (how do I converse with others?)
- Session IV: Unconscious Bias (how do I see the world and how to take action?)
- Session V: Exploring Other Cultures (applying the knowledge learned to examples)
- Session VI: Career Readiness (how can I use this in my life?)
Program and Admission Requirements
The semester-long program consists of six mandatory sessions. Each student is required to participate in the Foundation and Core sessions.
Program applicants must meet the following admission requirements:
- College of Business Student – Declared BS in Business major or minor
- No honor code violations
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
Application Process
The application for the Fall 2025 cohort will go live on April 1st, please check back soon!
Fall 2025 Cohort Information
We have 6 mandatory sessions for Global Engagement Scholars to complete. If you are selected as a Global Engagement Scholar, you must be available for the mandatory sessions below. The dates for the Fall 2025 cohort will be released soon! If you have questions, please email sbusges@gmu.edu.
The Costello College of Business recognizes the responsibility to engage students in diversity and inclusion conversations. The Global Engagement Scholars Program was developed in 2019 and launched Spring 2020. Read an article about the program’s history and hear from past participants here.
"[Unconscious bias is] really in all of us. The program made me see this, and I often use this whenever I’m in a professional setting.”
"The program helps build an understanding of different perspectives and provides a fresh sense of being able to navigate various cultures on a global scale."