Graduate Business Student Life

Graduate business students can develop new interests outside the classroom and broaden their network of SCU students and alums by participating in student life activities. The Graduate Business Programs Student Life team provides a rich graduate business experience for the student body by organizing quarterly signature events, professional development programs, and social networking opportunities. Additionally, the Student Life staff is responsible for supporting the programming efforts of the graduate business student clubs.

Graduate Business students can take advantage of all of the Graduate Business student life activities, which include but are not limited to:

  • Student and alumni networking events
  • Resource fairs
  • Social events
  • Career management seminars
  • Academic Awards and Recognitions

Leadership Opportunities

GBP Student Clubs

The purpose of Santa Clara University Graduate Business student organizations is to:

  • Promote, coordinate, and implement student activities
  • Enrich the co-curricular and extracurricular aspects of student life in the Graduate Business Programs
  • Develop and enhance the leadership skills of organization leaders and participants.

GBP student organizations accomplish this by offering graduate business students various opportunities to network with classmates, alumni, and industry professionals through panels and presentations.

Students create and lead the clubs with the support, guidance, and direction of the GBP Student Life team. Clubs hold events once a quarter in the Fall, Winter, and Spring (Summer is encouraged, but optional). All graduate business students are eligible to participate as members of any student club.

Current active student organizations can be found here: https://www.scu.edu/business/graduate-degrees/student-services/student-life/ 

All graduate business students are encouraged to join at least one club to maximize their experience at Santa Clara University. Students are encouraged to start their own clubs if they are still looking for one that meets their needs. However, students should also be aware that based on funding availability,  new clubs may not be approved. For more information, contact the GBP Student Life team at: gbpclubs@scu.edu.

GBP Club Funds and Scholarships

Student Clubs must have two or more Executive Officers who are current students and meet the eligibility requirements below. Club leaders may receive a scholarship opportunity, divided evenly among the active club leaders and the amount is based on funding availability. Scholarship awards are paid out in the Spring and are applied directly to the student’s account.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Must have at least three-quarters of consecutive service in club leadership
  • Must maintain good academic standing (3.0 or above)
  • Must host club events open to all GBP students (Fall, Winter, Spring)
  • Must be enrolled in the Spring at the time of disbursement

Clubs are given a budget, which can be used for supplies, giveaways, prizes, and food only. Club funds may not be used to purchase gift cards, traveling, lodging, transportation, and parking and speaker fees. These funds are intended to assist clubs in planning and hosting events that will engage the GBP student population. Students may access club funds by contacting the GBP Coordinator(s) at gbpclubs@scu.edu to place an order on the club's behalf or submit reimbursements for items purchased by club leaders. Receipts for reimbursement must be given to the GBP Coordinator(s) within a week of their event. No reimbursements will be made afterward. Anyone submitting a reimbursement must have the original receipts.

Additional guidelines regarding requesting events and funding will be outlined on the Graduate Business Programs Camino page, which is only accessible to Executive Officers. Accessibility will be removed once the student has graduated and a new Executive Officer is assigned. Alumni Advisors are not required and if a club chooses to have one they will not have access to Camino page nor club funds.

Further requirements, at least one representative must attend an annual Executive Officers Meeting held in Summer Quarter with the Graduate Business Programs Office. In order for a club to stay active they are required to table at the Fall Resources Fair hosted by the Graduate Business Programs Office at the beginning of each Fall term to engage in outreach activities.

Leavey Graduate Business Student Ambassadors

The Leavey Graduate Business, Student Ambassador Program, is a fantastic way to stay engaged, gain communication skills, network, provide feedback on program experience to administrative and participate in the SCU community, and bridge the gap between prospective students and SCU. Below are the objectives, benefits, and responsibilities of Ambassadors.

Objectives:

  • To share your experience as a student in the Leavey School of Business positively and constructively.
  • To represent the Leavey School as an Ambassador at various events (recruitment, networking, alums, career, etc.).
  • To assist in recruiting the highest caliber candidates for the Leavey School of Business.
  • Establish a network of students willing to serve as Ambassadors to promote the Graduate Business Programs.
  • Strengthen School/Program pride and elevate the program in the eyes of Silicon Valley and the Alumni network.

Benefits for student volunteers:

  • Participation allows students to expand their network and deepen relationships with SCU.
  • Enhance public speaking/communication and time management skills.
  • Resume builder - Active leadership/volunteer role.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the curriculum.
  • Increase visibility with employers and Silicon Valley contacts.
  • Scholarship opportunity distributed at the end of last active term (3 quarters). The scholarship amount will be adjusted according to your expected graduation term and how much participation was completed.
  • Registration priority opportunity during active ambassador term (Winter & Spring)

Responsibilities as Ambassadors:

  • MBA Student Ambassadors is a one-year commitment.
  • MS Student Ambassadors is a three-quarter to one-year commitment.
  • Assist with the Admissions team in regularly answering prospective student questions by email/phone.
  • Participate in Admissions/Student-Led Webinars and Information Sessions as panelists. Sessions are typically 30-45 minutes long, and students will speak for about 15-20 minutes with Q&A at the end.
  • Participate in Career Events as a moderator or panelist.
  • Work with the Faculty Director and Career Management team to promote and encourage students to attend professional development events, webinars, executive panel discussions, etc.
  • Work with the Student Services team by hosting, attending, and promoting networking events
  • Help encourage our Bronco community to connect outside their cohorts by starting discussions, sharing events, and other information via Camino, LinkedIn pages, Slack channels, WhatsApp, etc.
  • Share ideas on improving our process at potential quarterly ambassador meetings or focus groups.