Business, Society and the Economy
Developing students’ entrepreneurial mindset
Introduction
In recent years, the global landscape has undergone profound transformations, rendering many once-assumed certainties obsolete while propelling us into the realm of the fourth industrial revolution. The acronym VUCA captures the essence of this evolution, depicting a world that is increasingly Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous, particularly within the world of business. For aspiring business students, navigating this dynamic environment presents unprecedented challenges. These challenges necessitate the acquisition of a new set of skills—ones that are universal, resilient, versatile, and forward-thinking. Success in such a fluid landscape demands a commitment to creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship from both individuals and businesses alike.
The Business, Society, and Economy (BSE) program is designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills to thrive in today's business environment, irrespective of their chosen field of study. Through a blend of cutting-edge lectures, hands-on projects, immersive simulations, insightful guest speakers, and engaging case competitions, students will delve into:
- Creative problem-solving techniques that empower leaders to tackle complex challenges;
- The application of improvisational skills to navigate uncertainty with confidence;
- Entrepreneurial thinking to cultivate a mindset conducive to innovation and growth;
- The impact of interpersonal and organizational communication on business operations; and
- The importance of building a professional network proactively.
BSE students benefit from invaluable networking opportunities with alumni and industry leaders both domestically and internationally, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of global business dynamics. Ideal for students from any academic background, BSE offers a platform to gain insights into the intricacies of business, develop a unique skill set tailored to an ever-evolving world, and anticipate future trends. Prospective students should note that BSE is an accelerated program designed to expedite skill acquisition, offering numerous avenues for experiential learning at an accelerated pace.
Colloquium and Lecture Topics
- How to kill creativity.
- Outdoor survival challenge: Improvising in the wild.
- “Dormpreneurship” – How to start your own business while on campus.
- What it takes to deliver a TedTalk and stand confidently in the red circle.
I thought I was joining a group that enjoyed learning about general business topics. What I didn’t know was that I was joining a program that would polish me into an innovative scholar who was ready to tackle any situation in a constantly changing world—and who met some of his closest friends along the way.
Other Learning Opportunities
BSE provides diverse opportunities to strengthen the knowledge and skills that students acquire in the classroom. As a BSE’er, you will:
- Participate in team activities, management assessments, decision-making simulations, and even tackle business challenges for real-world clients;
- Take behind-the-scenes tours with corporate leaders in Washington, New York, and Pennsylvania.
- Enjoy the support of a vast alumni network as well as opportunities to work with BSE sophomores as a freshman (and vice versa as a sophomore); and
- Participate in various service-learning opportunities throughout the year, such as volunteering at the National Park Service, winter coat drives, and more.
BSE is a campus leader in providing global learning opportunities to its students, both through virtual and in-person international travel experiences. Students have had the chance to study and compare the business environments of countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and various European countries.
Curriculum Overview
Over the two-year program experience (four semesters), students will complete specially designed courses that will count toward their BSE Scholars citation. These courses—in most cases—count towards additional major requirements and fulfill General Education requirements. Scholars courses differ from courses with the same designator in that they feature many extracurricular activities and learning enhancement not available to non-BSE Scholars. Note that your Scholars courses—colloquium and practicum—will generally be in addition to any courses you take to satisfy major requirements.
The table below presents a standard two-year curriculum, but please note that individual schedules may differ. You can find information about courses and requirements on the BSE Citation Checklist.
| SEMESTER | COURSES | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | CPBE 100: Colloquium I | 1 credit |
| BMGT 161: Creative Problem Solving (DSSP, SCIS) | 3 credits | |
| Semester 2 | BMGT 110S: Introduction to the Business Value Chain | 3 credits |
| CPBE101: Colloquium II | 1 credit | |
| Semester 3 | CPBE 225: Enterprise Communications (FSOC) | 3 credits |
| CPBE200: Colloquium III | 1 credit | |
| Semester 4 | CPBE 230: Internship; or CPBE 240: Service-Learning; or CPBE 250: Research |
1 credit 1 credit 1 credit |
| Semester 1, 2, 3, or 4 | DVCC Supporting Course or DVUP Supporting Course |
1-3 credits 1-3 credits |
Sponsoring College
Office Address
1122 Cambridge Hall
Office Phone
Faculty
Obioma Akaigwe
News and Notes, Etc.
Office of International Affairs: Mourning the Loss of International Educator Mark Wellman, January 2022
Robert H. Smith School of Business: Tributes, Memories for Professor Mark Wellman, January 2022
Padlet: Remembering Mark Wellman, January 2022
Robert H. Smith School of Business: Undergrads Partner with Fox Sports U, July 2021
Business, Society and the Economy News
Smith School Professor with Expertise in Scenario Planning to Lead Business, Society and the Economy Scholars Program
Dr. Oliver Schlake, a clinical professor at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business, will be the new director of Business, Society and the Economy Scholars, effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Oliver Schlake, a longtime clinical professor and senior executive teaching fellow at the University of Maryland Robert H.
6 Scholars Alums Selected to Serve as Spring Commencement Senior Marshals
The University of Maryland has announced its senior marshals for Spring Commencement, slated for Friday, May 20. Six College Park Scholars alumni number among the 60 graduating seniors serving as marshals:
College Park Scholars Grieves Unexpected Passing of BSE Director Mark Wellman
College Park Scholars is grieving the loss of Dr. Mark Wellman, director of the Business, Society and the Economy (BSE) Scholars program, who died unexpectedly last week of a heart attack. He had served as director of BSE since 2005. A clinical professor in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, Wellman had been at the University of Maryland since 1990 and had also recently stepped into the role of assistant dean of alumni and corporate engagement in the Smith School.
Scholars recognizes Citation Class of 2021, Founders Circle Award winners
When the Scholars Citation Class of 2021—all 930 of them—stepped onto the University of Maryland campus in August of 2019, spirits were undoubtedly high. College Park Scholars was celebrating its 25th anniversary, with branded #ScholarsAt25 shirts, buttons and laptop stickers, and even a Maryland Dairy ice cream flavor created specifically for the occasion. But spirits sank in March of 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, sending the cohort into a virtual experience for the rest of their time in the program.
3 Scholars Alums Among University’s Undergraduate Researchers of the Year
Three Scholars alums were among the seven students named University of Maryland’s 2021 Undergraduate Researchers of the Year. Andrew Forschler, Arts Rebecca Gordon, Public Leadership Neehar Peri, Business, Society and the Economy Selected by a panel of faculty and staff, this honor recognizes select undergraduate students who displayed exceptional commitment to and accomplishments in undergraduate research at the university
Scholars Citation Class of 2020 Recognized at Virtual Awards Ceremony
When the Scholars Citation Class of 2020 arrived at the University of Maryland in fall 2018, they were wide-eyed freshmen who took part in the usual rites of passage in Scholars: Service Day, excursions related to the annual theme, a kickball tournament the spring of their freshman year. And, while the 984 students’ second year in Scholars fell during the program’s 25th anniversary, “that year turned out to be anything but ordinary,” observes Scholars Executive Director Marilee Lindemann. In March of their second year, the UMD campus shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and these students faced an abrupt pivot to remote learning.