Fall Trajectory Course to Help Students Explore Business Leadership

This fall, honors students will have the opportunity to make the most of their honors experience as they envision and prepare for life after college. Honors College Trajectory courses bring in top faculty and experts to guide students both in thinking about innovative career areas and in taking concrete steps toward their chosen goals. 

Next semester's offering is Leadership Lessons Learned, a new course designed to help students gain practical insight from the career journeys of various business leaders serving as guest speakers. The class is led by Ann Bordelon, executive vice chancellor for finance and administration, and Dean Brent D. Williams of the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

"I'm thrilled to be leading this class with Dean Williams and to spend time in the classroom," said Bordelon, a finance executive with experience ranging from the world's largest company to regional entrepreneurial ventures. "Students of any discipline will learn first-hand how these leaders have navigated challenges they faced as they grew in their careers, how they motivated others, and built credibility and trust within their respective organizations."

Williams, who holds the Sam M. Walton Leadership Chair, echoed his excitement about teaching the new course, which will feature guest lectures from executives at companies across Arkansas and beyond.

"Executive Vice Chancellor Bordelon and I look forward to facilitating conversations with leaders from a variety of backgrounds and unpacking those leaders' lessons learned with our students," he noted.

Trajectory classes meet for the first eight weeks of the spring semester. Applications are required for Leadership Lessons Learned, as seats are limited. The priority deadline for consideration is Monday, April 15. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, May 1.

Students in Leadership Lessons Learned must be of at least junior standing with a preference given to seniors. Students must have completed at least one internship or significant work experience will be given preference. 

Fall 2024 Honors College Trajectory Seminar

Leadership Lessons Learned: Taught by Ann Bordelon, executive vice chancellor for finance and administration, and Dean Brent D. Williams of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, this course is a unique opportunity to learn from business leaders who have experienced the ups and downs of leadership. Throughout the course, these leaders will share their experiences and offer their own leadership lessons learned. Each module will feature a business leader at different stages of their journey. Executive Vice Chancellor Bordelon and Dean Williams will facilitate these conversations, drawing out insights that you can use in your own leadership journey.  After completing this course, you can put the leadership lessons learned to work in your own leadership journey, accelerating your career and the positive impact you have on those you will lead.