Alumni and supporters back future international business leaders
GLS ’23 cohort visiting Edinburgh Castle in Scotland during study abroad semester.
For first-generation college student Kaiya Moore (’23), scholarships enabled a life-changing experience in London as part of the Greg and Lisa Smith Global Leadership Scholars program (GLS), the oldest signature honors program of UT’s Haslam College of Business. Every GLS student participates with their cohort of 25 to 27 scholars in the London study abroad experience, complete with an international internship.
“Scholarships helped me afford the opportunity to study abroad and have a great experience in London,” said Moore. “Since I’ve gotten back, I’ve seen a change in myself and how I view the world, and I’m really thankful for this.”
The three-year GLS program, focused on international business and leadership, offers students annual stipends to offset educational expenses. As with many new ventures it could sometimes be difficult to resource and get off the ground, but now over 20 endowments support GLS scholarships. In addition to the London semester, GLS offers a cohort community with a curriculum focused on developing leadership styles and skills through honors business classes, unique professional experiences, and exposure to top international executives like Greg Smith (’85), the program’s namesake.
GLS develops their evident leadership potential through the cohort experience, its rigorous curriculum, and professional opportunities in the US and abroad.
– Jen Rittenhouse, GLS director
Anchoring the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Business Leaders
Smith previously oversaw Walmart’s supply chain and currently works as executive vice president of global operations and supply chain for Medtronic, a medical technology company. He and his wife, Lisa, have supported GLS for over a decade through their time and finances, making a substantial gift to the program in 2016 that resulted in its naming.
“The program gives students access to international experience and understanding that I didn’t have until probably the middle of my career,” said Smith. “Lisa and I are very impressed with the caliber of students in the GLS program, as well as the way the faculty pushes them to succeed and sets high expectations for them. Hearing from these students and seeing what GLS alumni go on to accomplish is deeply gratifying, and we’re so proud to have our names on the program.”
Upon graduation, the 2021 cohort earned an average $69,000 starting salary—substantially higher than national benchmarks—and GLS alumni often go on to hold key leadership positions.
“Alumni are working in senior roles at major global corporations—McKesson, Bridgestone, Amazon, PepsiCo,” said Jen Rittenhouse, director of the program. “GLS develops their evident leadership potential through the cohort experience, its rigorous curriculum, and professional opportunities in the US and abroad. Our students are recognized as leaders within the college and across the university. Several were named Torchbearers, UT’s highest [undergraduate] student honor. As the 15th cohort begins their journey, and as we expand our reach with the new Business Fellows Honors Program, we’re grateful to the Smiths and so many donors for being such a sustaining force.”
More than 20 endowments established by former GLS students, parents of program students, and generous UT alumni with a passion for international study but no direct GLS ties escalated the momentum of philanthropy initiated by anchor donors like the Smiths and now help maintain the program.
Fueling Further Philanthropic Momentum
GLS ’23 cohort team building exercises.
Ryan Sowell (’11), currently a senior partner development manager with Amazon Web Services and part of the second GLS cohort, has benefited from and built such endowments.
“I earned my MBA from Emory in 2020, and it was largely a refresh of what I’d learned in GLS,” said Sowell. “I’ve consistently relied on the skills, knowledge, and network of dear friends I gained from the program.”
“Inspired by the GLS scholarship I received, I led a successful effort among the first cohorts to endow a GLS scholarship honoring Dr. David Schumann,” added Sowell. “As the founding faculty sponsor, he established the program’s curricular focus on leadership and international business.”
Part of that focus is accomplished through a required executive lecture series, by which many UT alumni, like Greg Smith, have been involved in mentoring GLS scholars. Jeff Abbott (’93), CEO of Ivanti (an IT software company), is one such executive who decided to make a GLS scholarship endowment.
“For five years, I’ve taught a strategy class to GLS students—it is without a doubt some of the best time I invest all year long,” said Abbott. “My wife and I are proud to help open an important door for these future US and global leaders.”
“UT and HCB were instrumental in offering me excellent training but also, like the GLS program, an incredible launchpad for starting a successful career,” continued Abbott. “Giving back and providing the next generation pathways to success is an important generational responsibility. If everyone invests in such a way, we can set in motion an unstoppable force of positive leadership.”
