The Kenan Scholars Program
the Luther Hodges Scholars Program
Mission, Vision & History
We provide a world-class, transformative scholars experience for exceptional students who are committed to learning and working at the intersection of business, academia, policy, government and the nonprofit sector at home or abroad.
Overview
Each year, up to 25 sophomores are selected to become Luther Hodges Scholars. Students are selected for their superior scholarship and genuine interest in research and in working with private and public sector professionals to address the timeliest, most pressing issues facing business and society today and in the future. Scholars are introduced to the critical role that business and the private sector play in providing solutions to these challenges. Students learn the interdisciplinary competencies of leadership, research, and cross-sector collaboration essential for success as high-impact leaders.
Scholars Are Provided:
- Mentorship by faculty, alumni, and business, policy and non-profit leaders
- Coaching and advising
- Financial support for experiential learning opportunities
- A fully funded cross-sector internship experience
- Research experience
- Alternative breaks and field trips
- Access to personnel and resources at the Kenan Institute
Please consult our annual reviews for more information about the program:
Opportunities
The Luther Hodges Scholars program is committed to developing future business leaders equipped to address economic and societal challenges present in today’s interconnected world. To accomplish this, the program provides scholars real-world experiences working at the intersection of the public and private sectors through a cross-sector internship experience that takes place during the summer following their first semester in the program.
Cross-sector internships are customized cohort-based professional learning experiences. Interns work alongside fellow scholars and professionals in the public and private sectors to make industry connections, develop hard and soft skills, and gain practical knowledge in chosen industry areas and fields of inquiry. Scholars receive financial funding and participate in biweekly virtual briefing sessions with staff to reflect on and share their experiences.
Scholars are supported in understanding the important role of research in problem-solving in today’s dynamic business environments. The focus is on what can be learned from business research and how that knowledge, along with the knowledge of research methods, makes a difference.
To deepen and broaden their research capabilities, scholars are provided opportunities to enhance research skills. During the junior year, scholars complete a business research course specifically tailored to scholars where they sharpen their abilities to develop research questions, deploy research methods, and produce a capstone research paper. Scholars have the option of continuing the research experience into the senior year and pursuing the honors thesis or an independent research project. Scholars have access to the institute’s research-related resources, including research advising and funding to support skill-building and participation at research conferences.
Explorations, the Luther Hodges Scholars alternative fall break, provides scholars first-hand experience engaging with local and national organizations, leaders, and communities addressing contemporary business issues. This initiative offers current scholars the ability to pursue impactful opportunities beyond the academic curriculum that expand educational experiences, heighten understanding of cross-sector collaboration, and foster development as future business leaders. More information can be found on our Explorations page.
The Scholars Leadership Council was created to serve as the student voice of the scholar experience. Council representatives foster engagement and affinity for the program among their fellow scholars.
The council is made up of two class representatives from each cohort and is supported by a staff liaison.
Representatives manage a yearly budget, organize monthly community-building activities, and advise and counsel staff on program improvements.
Program mentors are a select group of business leaders, near-peers, policymakers and UNC Kenan-Flagler faculty who provide guidance and support to scholars for personal and career development. Mentorship is provided in one-on-one and group sessions. Scholars can opt to pair with an individual mentor. Mentors sign on for at least one year with the opportunity to engage with scholars throughout their university careers and beyond.
Program staff provide opportunities for group mentoring through moderated panel discussions and structured networking opportunities.
Luther Hodges Scholars have a dedicated advisor who supports their personal and professional development. Scholars participate in one-on-one advising appointments with their Luther Hodges Scholars advisor to connect with campus and community resources, secure internship and research opportunities and develop goals that align with their values and interests. Advisors empower scholars to make informed decisions and meaningfully reflect on their experiences within the program.
More information can be found in the Luther Hodges Scholars Advising Syllabus.
In addition to attending many exclusive, invitation-only events at the Kenan Institute, the Luther Hodges Scholars also have access to the growing list of Luther Hodges Scholars Program alumni. Alumni from the Kenan Institute Leadership Fellows and Luther Hodges Scholars Program already number more than 100 people around the globe.
Timeline
Kenan Institute Leadership Fellows
The Kenan Institute Leadership Fellows program is founded, providing a select group of MBA students each year a unique opportunity to supplement their business school education with hands-on, real-world experience in leadership and in putting the private sector to work for the public good. Dr. Lingmei Howell provides critical leadership to sustain and grow the fellows program.2005Kenan Scholars
The Kenan Institute Leadership Fellows program deepens its mission, expands to include undergraduate business students, and changes its name to the Kenan Scholars program.2016Program Director Hired
Kim Allen is hired as the Kenan Scholars program director and establishes the undergraduate component as a co-curricular, competency-based scholars program with an emphasis on research, leadership and cross-sector collaboration for select undergraduate business majors and minors.2017Scholar Advisor
A dedicated advisor is hired to support scholars personal and professional development. Scholars are empowered to make informed decisions and to meaningfully reflect on their experiences as civic-minded leaders and high-impact business professionals. 2019Scholar Leadership Council
A Scholar Leadership Council is established as the student voice of the scholar experience. Council representatives foster engagement and affinity for the program among scholars. 2020MBA Students
The program component for MBA students is sunset. After more than 15 years, the institute shifts its educational focus to exclusively serve undergraduate business majors and minors.2021Expands the Program
An external review yields recommendations to expand the program, emphasizing the development of business leaders prepared to work across sectors to advance solutions to some of today’s complex economic and social challenges.2022Transformational Gift
The Luther Hodges family endows the program, enabling it to be positioned as the best-in-class opportunity for undergraduate business students seeking to become cross-sector leaders. This new funding builds upon the successes of the existing Kenan Scholars program to attract diverse and passionate students to UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. The program is renamed the Luther Hodges Scholars Program.2023Cross-Sector Internship Initiative Launched
Building on a key recommendation from the external review, the program revamps its public sector internship to a cohort-based cross-sector internship experience. 2023Advisory Council
The Luther Hodges Scholars Advisory Council is established as a key program advocate and advisor. Council members share their professional expertise; diverse knowledge of constituent perspectives; and connections to local, national, and international resources. They include program alumni, Kenan-Flagler alumni, and other high-impact business, non-profit and civic leaders.2023Luther Hodges Scholars
Each year, up to 25 sophomores are selected to become Luther Hodges Scholars. Students are selected for their superior scholarship and genuine interest in research and in working with private and public sector professionals to address the timeliest, most pressing issues facing business and society today and in the future. Scholars are introduced to the critical role that business and the private sector play in providing solutions to these challenges. Students learn the interdisciplinary competencies of leadership, research, and cross-sector collaboration essential for success as high-impact leaders.
