Consortium for Graduate Study in Management

Consortium for Graduate Study in Management is a nonprofit organization and fellowship alliance dedicated to increasing the representation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans in business schools and corporate leadership. Founded in 1966 by a group of forward-thinking universities and corporate partners, it provides fellows with full-tuition scholarships, access to a powerful professional network, and career development support. The organization operates through a partnership with some of the nation's top MBA programs and has a distinguished alumni network of leaders across various industries.

History and mission

The organization was established in 1966 by professors Sterling Schoen of Washington University in St. Louis, John E. Jacob of Northwestern University, and James E. Howell of Stanford Graduate School of Business, alongside early corporate sponsors like Monsanto and General Motors. Its creation was a direct response to the Civil Rights Movement and a recognized lack of diversity within American business education and the corporate boardroom. The founding mission, which remains core today, is to reduce the serious underrepresentation of specific minority groups in management and to enhance diversity and inclusion within Fortune 500 companies and other leading institutions. This mission is advanced by identifying and supporting high-potential candidates through a common application that provides access to its member schools.

Member schools and programs

The alliance comprises a selective group of leading graduate business schools. Current member institutions include the University of California, Berkeley (Haas School of Business), Dartmouth College (Tuck School of Business), Emory University (Goizueta Business School), Indiana University (Kelley School of Business), the University of Michigan (Ross School of Business), New York University (Stern School of Business), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Kenan–Flagler Business School), the University of Rochester (Simon Business School), University of Texas at Austin (McCombs School of Business), University of Virginia (Darden School of Business), Washington University in St. Louis (Olin Business School), and the University of Wisconsin–Madison (Wisconsin School of Business). These schools collaborate to recruit, select, and support fellowship recipients.

Fellowship and financial aid

The flagship offering is a fellowship that typically covers full tuition and required fees for the duration of the two-year MBA program at a member school. This financial support is funded through contributions from the member universities and corporate partners such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Procter & Gamble. Beyond tuition, fellows gain access to exclusive networking events, including the annual Orientation Program & Career Forum, which connects them with recruiters from hundreds of corporations. The fellowship also provides mentorship, leadership development workshops, and lifelong membership in an influential alumni association.

Application process and eligibility

Prospective candidates submit one common application for admission and fellowship consideration to up to six of the member schools. Primary eligibility requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and demonstrated proof of heritage for one of the mission-focused groups: African American, Hispanic American, or Native American. The application process is highly competitive, evaluating candidates on academic achievement, GMAT or GRE scores, professional experience, leadership potential, and commitment to the organization's mission. Selected applicants are invited to interview as part of the final selection round conducted by representatives from the member schools.

Impact and alumni

Since its inception, the consortium has awarded fellowships to thousands of students, profoundly impacting the demographic composition of top MBA programs and the leadership pipelines of major corporations. Its alumni, known as CGSM Fellows, hold prominent positions as CEOs, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and senior executives at firms like Goldman Sachs, Google, Johnson & Johnson, and McKinsey & Company. Notable alumni include Kenneth C. Frazier, former CEO of Merck & Co., and Carla Harris, Vice Chairman at Morgan Stanley. The organization's success is frequently cited by institutions like the AACSB as a model for increasing diversity in graduate management education.

Category:Educational organizations based in the United States Category:Business education in the United States Category:Scholarships in the United States Category:Non-profit organizations based in St. Louis Category:1966 establishments in Missouri