Scholars Program

STRAT 5820, 6 CH (3 Fall, 3 Spring), In-Person Class
Mondays/Wednesdays, 3:40-5:40 p.m.

Apply to the Fall 2024 + Spring 2025 Program Now

Priority Application Deadline: April 30 at 11:59 p.m.

*Scholars is a full year class. It begins Fall 2024 and ends Spring 2025.
The application to this program includes a written Strategic Leadership Challenge essay.

Students often spend their time in college learning about the hypotheticals rather than solving actual problems. At Goff, we give students that real-world experience. If you are looking for a chance challenge yourself and share your ideas with founders, CEOs, and leaders… Scholars is the place for you.

Scholars is a project-based class where you get the chance to work with and lead small groups in pursuit of helping real companies. Scholars gives you a crash-course in project management, teamwork, presentation skills, and strategic thinking – all while developing lifelong friendships

In Scholars, students will work on multiple projects over the two semesters, putting into practice what they learn from each one as they tackle the next challenge. Professor Bonita Austin will prepare students along the way by teaching strategy frameworks and business analytics tools to support class projects and future business careers.

Scholars Information:

  • Two semesters, Fall and Spring Semester

  • 3.5 GPA or higher and an ability to register for Fall and Spring Semesters. Preference may go to students with junior or senior status.

  • Scholars have the opportunity to attend a Leadership Retreat each winter.

  • $1,000 scholarship per semester; $2,000 total.

  • Scholars counts as a bridge course for BCOR students and for Honors elective (6 credits).

“After accepting and working for a few months in a full-time role as a Wealth Analyst for a Crewe Advisors, my career was thrown in a completely new and surprising direction! The Director of Operations left the firm and they decided to take a chance on me and offered me an opportunity to try the role. For the last 2.5 years, I have been leading operations for the firm. My finance degree was helpful for navigating the industry, but the practical learning and skills that came from my experience with Goff prepared me to take on challenging research projects and to create/implement useful solutions for the firm. This year, I was promoted to Director of Operations – I love my job and am very grateful to the Goff Scholars program for helping prepare me to succeed in a high-intensity, fast-paced role” -Rylie Halliday

Project Examples

Scholars worked with IntelliReefs, an organization creating substrates that mimic natural reefs, leading to oceanic restoration. Scholars pitched options for monetizing the company’s technology and created recommendations for marketing, including a new website and brand strategy.

Scholars worked with a Goff alumni at Cleaning Services Group, to evaluate franchise opportunities and propose diversification strategies, all with the goal of doubling the company’s annual revenue.

Scholars created a brand book and U.S. market entry strategy for AR Trails, a company with a unique augmented reality technology seeking ways to use this technology to educate and engage adventurers.

Looking for more opportunities?

We model our experiences after the “real world,” connecting students from different backgrounds and perspectives in the classroom to create value for organizations across the world.

Each Goff program works directly with real organizations. No matter your major, year in school, or plans for the future, there’s a spot for you in Goff.