Scholars Program

STRAT 5820, 6 CH (3 Fall, 3 Spring), In-Person Class
Mondays/Wednesdays, 3:40-5:40 p.m.

Scholar’s Fall semester applications are now closed.

The next application cycle will be in spring 2025.

Apply to the Fall 2025 + Spring 2026 Program* Now

Priority Application Deadline: April 4 at 11:59 p.m.

Final Application Deadline: June 30 at 11:59 p.m.

*Scholars is a full year class. It begins Fall 2025 and ends Spring 2026. The application to this program includes a written Strategic Leadership Challenge essay. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline for guaranteed consideration. Applications *may* remain open after April 4 (through the final deadline) if program seats are available.

Students often spend their time in college learning about the hypotheticals rather than solving actual problems. At Goff, we give students that real-world experience. If you are looking for a chance to challenge yourself and share your ideas with founders, CEOs, and leaders… Scholars is the place for you.

Scholars is a project-based class where you collaborate with and lead small groups in pursuit of addressing real challenges faced by organizations. Scholars gives you a crash-course in project management, teamwork, presentation skills, and strategic thinking – all while developing lifelong friendships.

In Scholars, students tackle multiple strategy challenges over the two semesters, putting into practice what they learn from each challenge as they tackle the next one. Professor Bonita Austin prepares students along the way by teaching strategy frameworks and business analytics tools to support how students approach each engagement and inform their future careers.

Scholars Information:

  • Two semesters, Fall and Spring Semester

  • 3.5 GPA or higher and an ability to register for Fall and Spring Semesters. Preference may go to students with junior or senior status.

  • Scholars have the opportunity to attend a Leadership Retreat each winter.

  • $1,000 scholarship per semester; $2,000 total.

  • Scholars counts as a bridge course for BCOR students and for Honors elective (6 credits).

“After accepting and working for a few months in a full-time role as a Wealth Analyst for a Crewe Advisors, my career was thrown in a completely new and surprising direction! The Director of Operations left the firm and they decided to take a chance on me and offered me an opportunity to try the role. For the last 2.5 years, I have been leading operations for the firm. My finance degree was helpful for navigating the industry, but the practical learning and skills that came from my experience with Goff prepared me to take on challenging research projects and to create/implement useful solutions for the firm. This year, I was promoted to Director of Operations – I love my job and am very grateful to the Goff Scholars program for helping prepare me to succeed in a high-intensity, fast-paced role” -Rylie Halliday

Highlighted Experiences

The Goff Scholars examined how generative AI might influence the Korn Ferry Institute, and the consulting industry more broadly. Scholars identified the primary potential impacts on KFI consultants’ work and the projected relative value that AI could provide to consulting firms. KFI subsequently invited several Scholars to co-author white papers highlighting the students’ findings.

Scholars explored expansion opportunities for IntelliReefs, an organization creating substrates that mimic natural reefs and promote oceanic restoration. Scholars pitched options for monetizing the company’s technology and created recommendations for marketing, including a new website and brand strategy.

A Goff alumni at Cleaning Services Group wanted to know how to double the company’s annual revenue. Scholars evaluated franchise opportunities and proposed creative diversification strategies.

Scholars created a brand book and U.S. market entry strategy for AR Trails, a company with a unique augmented reality technology seeking ways to use this technology to educate and engage adventurers.

Looking for more opportunities?

We model our experiences after the “real world,” connecting students from different backgrounds and perspectives in the classroom to create value for organizations across the world.

Each Goff program collaborates directly with real organizations. No matter your major, year in school, or plans for the future, there’s a spot for you in Goff.