An all-new organization in the Sorrell College of Business has multi-national implications for select students.
The Sorrell Society of International Fellows, springing from and replacing the College’s Global Scholars program, is a strategic initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing the most academically gifted students to become global business leaders and global citizens.
Dr. Clint Relyea, an associate professor in the School of Management, serves as the Society’s director.
“The Sorrell Society of International Fellows is modeled on successful frameworks observed at Ivy League institutions, leveraging the strengths of the Sorrell College’s previous initiatives, such as the QEP and Sorrell Global Scholars program,” he said. “This program is designed to develop a select cohort of exceptional students, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and international experiences necessary for success in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace.”
Fellows are selected through a competitive application process as an entering freshman and participate in a curriculum that seamlessly integrates with existing standards of AACSB-accredited programs across the various majors of the Sorrell College. A series of international experiences are designed to enrich the students’ educational journey and global perspectives.
“During IMPACT we visited the various programs and had walked past the Global Scholars room. I stopped in and spoke with Dr. Clint, who told me all about the program, and I was, like, ‘oh my goodness this sounds like an amazing opportunity,” said Senior Savannah Burg, a global business major from Livingston.
“We can travel abroad, we can do honors classes, and it sounded like a great program,” she said.
The core components of the Society include a freshman seminar to that introduces the principles of global business and citizenship; a short-term study abroad experience during the freshman year; a second-semester cultural immersion trip to New York City that features visits to cultural landmarks as well as Wall Street financial institutions; visiting international corporations in Alabama and the Southeastern United States; and a capstone class designed to showcase students’ academic success and international business experience.
During the junior or senior year, students are required to complete a full semester of study abroad alongside an internship.
Burg just completed her semester abroad, becoming the first exchange student from either school at Anahuac University near Mexico City.
In October, Fellows toured Airbus and met with Chamber of Commerce officials in Mobile.
“I hadn’t previously even considered Mobile as a place I’d want to move after I graduate, but I am now seriously considering it,” said freshman Jack Friday of Pelham.
Zachery Baggot, a junior general business major from Fruitdale, echoed Friday’s enthusiasm.
“I’ve enjoyed (being in the program) a lot. We’ve been to places such as Mobile, Birmingham, Atlanta and Mexico,” he said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to expand your horizons.”
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded a medallion that signifies their distinguished status as Sorrell International Fellows. This recognition is intended to enhance the employability of program graduates, positioning them favorably among leading firms in the Southeast.
