Business Scholars Program

The Business Scholars Program (BSP) seeks to provide targeted support, academic resources, and co-curricular programming to promote the success of first-generation, limited-income (FGLI) college students who pursue business as a field of study. Housed under Georgetown’s Center for Multicultural Equity and Access (CMEA), BSP offers opportunities for McDonough students throughout their four years to promote the success and retention of underserved and FGLI students in business education.

Mission

Through early curriculum exposure and mentorship, BSP seeks to enhance each scholar’s introduction to both Georgetown and the McDonough School of Business. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion drives our pledge to scholars to continually bridge gaps for FGLI students in McDonough to ultimately expand access and growth opportunities in and out of the classroom. BSP values the unique backgrounds and experiences of our community and strives to empower all scholars. By providing access and programming to BSP scholars, we open the door for them to succeed and thrive during their collegiate journey and beyond.

Program Components

Before Year 1

• BSP scholars take two summer courses at Georgetown: MARK 1101 (Principles of Marketing) and WRIT 1152 (Reading and Writing Seminar) to earn nine credits towards their degree program.
• Throughout the summer, BSP scholars are engaged in workshops with McDonough faculty and the Undergraduate Programs Office on topics such as networking, personal branding, preparing for the first semester, and more.
• Summer scholars gain valuable insight into how to be a successful McDonough student by being on campus before other students arrive.

Year 1

• Throughout the first year, BSP scholars will participate in workshops with their peers and the McDonough Undergraduate Programs Office and BSP team on academic and co-curricular topics.
• BSP scholars have access to various McDonough signature programs, including Smart Start, a partnership with PwC. Additionally, BSP scholars will have the opportunity to apply to the McDonough Success Fund, created to reduce financial barriers for Georgetown McDonough students.
• In the spring semester, BSP students are provided small group academic workshops with dedicated faculty for ACCT 1101 – Introduction to Financial Accounting. These workshops are designed to assist scholars in accounting and prepare them for success during the semester.

After Year 1

• BSP scholars will continue to work with CMEA and the McDonough Undergraduate Program Office team for personalized advising and degree completion.
• Scholars will have access to guest speakers, lecturers, and academic workshops in accounting, statistics, and finance, and seminars for career and summer planning support for their business courses and beyond.
• BSP scholars can serve as mentors for future scholars, either through CMEA or by becoming a mentor with McDonough’s pre-orientation program, Building Undergraduates Invested in Leadership Development (BUILD).

BSP Staff

Patricia Grant

Senior Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs
Co-chair of the Committee on the Inclusive Student Experience

Karthik Easwar

Teaching Professor and Co-Director for the Business Scholars Program

Nick Russo

Assistant Dean and Co-Director for the Business Scholars Program, Undergraduate Programs

Questions?
Contact Us About BSP