Fowler Scholars
Building Ethical Business Leaders
The Fowler Scholars (FS) program is a cohort of 19 students ranging from freshmen through seniors within the Fowler College of Business. Our mission is to develop ethical business leaders through a variety of hands-on experiences and mentorship opportunities. Each FS is paired with a business leader mentor who works closely with each student during their journey at SDSU. Fowler Scholars also participate in discussions on key topics such as leadership, ethics, and corporate culture led by recognized business executives and leaders. Additionally, every Fowler Scholar engages in a year-long, “real-world” project, working with local businesses such as Sprouts Farmers Market, Hunter Industries, and Urban Strategy Services to analyze and solve current business challenges and opportunities. The program also includes annual business trips, both local and national/international, where students meet with senior leaders to discuss pressing business issues and future trends.
Key Program Activities
Key topics such as leadership, ethics and business culture are discussed with the director of the Fowler Scholars and/or guest lecturers such as Nick Konat (president/COO Sprouts), Paul Baribault (CEO, SDZWA), Pamela Williamson (VP Salesforce) and Adam Day (CAO Sycuan). The Fowler Scholars also dissect real-world case studies developing recommendations based on facts and insights.
A professional internship is an important element of the Fowler Scholars Program and a requirement to complete the program. Internships provide students the opportunity to apply their classroom experiences in the real-world and gain skills and competencies that will allow them to launch a successful career.
Project management experiences offer students an opportunity each academic year to apply their knowledge to “real world” problems. Each student is required to participate in one of four projects ranging from local business challenges to leading the execution of event platforms for the Fowler Scholars program. There are four project teams led by the Fowler Scholars. For the 2024-25 academic year, these projects include: Sprouts Farmers Market (2 projects), Aztec Shops, Urban Strategy Services, and Fowler Scholars events.
Every two years, the Fowler Scholars embark on an international business trip to key hubs focusing on different aspects of business from finance to marketing to governmental opportunities and challenges.
Contacts
Sheona Som
Executive Director of Development[email protected]619-594-0551
If you are interested in learning more about contributing to or creating an endowment fund in support of the Fowler College of Business, we invite you to contact Sheona Som.
