Q: What transition issues do students face?
Freshman year in college is a time of fun and personal discovery, but it can also be challenging. Adjusting to the freedom and responsibilities of college life takes time. Having a home in the Residential Business Program and a close group of friends in the program is extremely important in helping make MSU’s campus seem smaller and campus life more manageable.
The RBP will utilize the expertise of the professionals in the Lear Corporation Career Services Center, Multicultural Business Programs, and Undergraduate Academic Services to ensure participants of have a seamless transition to Michigan State University in their academic and living environments. The RBP provides easy access to Broad College academic advisers, faculty, career services and tutoring resources. For example, the Undergraduate Academic Services advisors hold appointments and walk-in advising for RBP participants in the River Trail Neighborhood Engagement Center located on the first floor of the McDonel Hall. In addition, freshmen in the RBP can look to returning business students in the program who live in McDonel Hall, for peer support in navigating the transition to college.
Q: How does the RBP help students gain admission to the Broad College of Business?
Students admitted to MSU and express an interest in one of the Broad College’s majors must gain separate admission to Broad after completing introductory coursework and a formal application process. Admission to the Broad College is extremely competitive, limited to approximately 1000 students out of 1200-1400 applications per year.
Participation in the RBP does not guarantee admission to the Broad College, but it does provide access to resources that can help students to build a successful academic and experiential profile. Participants can use reserved tutoring services offered by the Broad College’s Multicultural Business Programs or the Math Learning Center in the River Trail Neighborhood Engagement Center. Individuals will be invited to exclusive professional events with the Broad College’s extensive alumni and corporate recruiting network.
Q: What do we mean by Cultural Intelligence?
Employers come to the Broad College of Business to recruit future leaders who will manage a global and diverse workforce. As a result, employers point to the importance of being able to lead and work with others from different cultural backgrounds. The RBP is a cutting edge program which offers participants the opportunity to develop the multicultural and global mindset necessary to succeed in business, in a living-learning environment. The Broad College is in the unique position to provide this experience to undergraduate students because of its nationally recognized Multicultural Business Programs unit, which has developed cultural competency skills in students for over 30 years and the Lear Career Center which is a satellite office of the award winning MSU Career Services Network.
RBP participants represent urban, suburban, and rural areas of Michigan as well as states across the US and countries around the world. This built-in diversity enables participants to experience first-hand the challenges and opportunities of living, learning and leading with people from different cultures on a daily basis. This experience will make participants more marketable to corporate recruiters who are seeking these skills.
As a multinational corporation, Alcoa believes it is essential for our university partners to prepare students for the diversity that exists in today’s business environment. It is necessary to expose our students to many different perspectives. A multicultural education should emphasize collaboration, the value of differences and equality. Alcoa has found success in its global operations thanks to a culture that embraces change, new ideas, shows respect for the individual and provides equal opportunity to succeed.
Jay Rateau, VP-Energy, Global Primary Products Growth
Q. How does the RBP build Leadership Skills?
Students can get involved with the RBP Leadership Council which offers RBP students opportunities to plan social, academic, and professional events, serve as ambassadors for corporate speakers, and participate in community service activities.
All students are encouraged to get involved in a student organization, whether it is a Broad organization, or one of MSU’s many student organizations. Our student organizations provide additional opportunities to network, socialize, learn, and enhance your skills. Evidence of leadership experience sets students apart from their peers when pursuing internships, post-college employment, or even the Broad Junior Admissions status.
