The Woodruff Scholars Program

Leadership Exchange (LeadEx)

LeadEx is the cornerstone of the Woodruff Scholars experience. These recurring gatherings bring together scholars from both MBA cohorts throughout the academic year to build community, exchange ideas, and support one another's development.

LeadEx provides a dedicated space for thoughtful conversation, personal reflection, peer advising, and the program's signature development experiences.

Designing Your Life

During their first year, scholars participate in a guided exploration of Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. Through a shared reading and reflection process, they examine their values, identify personal and professional aspirations, and consider new possibilities for the future.

The experience helps scholars approach their next steps with greater self-awareness and intentionality while preparing them for the second-year DreamTrust experience.

The DreamTrust Experience

In their second year, each scholar has the opportunity to bring an idea, challenge, or aspiration to their Woodruff Scholar community through a facilitated DreamTrust session.

Rather than simply presenting an idea, scholars invite their peers to serve as a trusted group of advisors, offering thoughtful perspectives, actionable advice, and support. The experience encourages creative problem-solving while deepening the relationships that make the Woodruff community distinctive.

Woodruff Scholars have access to dedicated resources and guidance designed to help them make the most of their MBA experience.

Dedicated Academic Support

• Personalized Academic Guidance: Each semester, scholars meet with the Full-Time MBA Program Dean and Director of Academic Success to discuss academic planning and course selection in the context of their career goals and personal development.
• Peer Advising: Second-year scholars share their experiences and insights with first-year scholars, helping them navigate course selection and make informed decisions about their MBA experience.
• Priority Registration: Early access to course registration gives scholars greater flexibility in pursuing the courses and academic experiences that align with their interests and goals.

Prioritized Employer Access

Woodruff Scholars are highly sought-after candidates among MBA employers. Companies frequently request access to Woodruff Scholar resumes, and scholars are often invited to interview with leading consulting firms, including McKinsey, Bain, and BCG, and other top employers. Woodruff alumni also serve as informal mentors, sharing recruiting advice and helping current scholars navigate the job search.

“The Woodruff Program helped give me access to Woodruff alumni at each of the consulting firms I was recruiting for. Having this subset of alumni to call on for help was a game changer for me, and not something I would have easily found at any other school.” -Claire Pavlak 19MBA &Woodruff Scholar | Chief of Staff, Bain & Company

The Woodruff Scholars experience creates connections that extend across generations and throughout Emory University.

The Woodruff Roundtable

Hosted each spring by the Dean of Goizueta Business School and the Full-Time MBA Program Dean, the annual Woodruff Roundtable brings together current scholars, recent alumni, and Goizueta leadership for conversation, mentorship, and connection. The event also welcomes finalists for the incoming Woodruff Scholar class, introducing them to the community they may soon join.

The Emory-Wide Woodruff Community

Woodruff Scholars are part of a university-wide network of Woodruff Scholars and Fellows representing all nine of Emory's schools. Through welcome gatherings, Lunch & Learn programs, community service projects, newsletters, and an annual graduation celebration, scholars have opportunities to build relationships and engage with this broader community.

Semester Milestone Dinners

Twice each academic year, Woodruff Scholars come together for an intimate dinner at a destination Atlanta restaurant. The fall dinner welcomes new and returning scholars, while the spring dinner celebrates the accomplishments of the academic year and recognizes graduating scholars.