The new Bloch LEAD program offers working professionals in Kansas City’s key industry sectors with the opportunity to customize their MBA. With the LEAD program, students tailor their MBA experience to allow for additional attention to the skills and competencies most critical to success in their specific industry.
As part of this new initiative, LEAD Scholars work with an executive coach to identify these skills and competencies. With their coach, they then develop a customized learning plan, drawing upon specialized coursework and curated instructional material. The structure of Bloch LEAD is also designed to provide students from a given industry with unique opportunities to build connections with leaders and working professionals in that industry.
“We are a collection of our experiences and perspectives,” remarks Stacy Cahalan, a LEAD Scholars coach. “Coaching these young professionals has been a great reminder of the incredible talent we have across so many industries and what human connection can do in our awesome city.”
“The coaching process has really been a pleasure,” says Kyle McAllister (EMBA ’21), who mentors several students. “Every student has been eager to talk and engaged in the conversation.”
Program participants also receive a scholarship and, as part of this, they create and maintain a portfolio documenting their efforts to build skills and industry connections.
Across the Fall and Spring Semesters, there are 54 scholars actively enrolled.
“I was nervous about returning to graduate school as an older student,” recalls Chris Collins, a member of the LEAD Scholars. “I was worried I wouldn’t be able to balance the coursework against responsibilities of a full-time job and family life, but I took the leap and I’m glad I did. Two semesters in and I am already applying the skills and lessons from my coursework to make a difference in my professional role.”
The LEAD Scholars program has quickly become a cross-section of knowledge, talent and ambition, bringing together early to mid-career professionals who are still hungry for more.
“Not only has the program provided me with essential tools and insights,” says LEAD Scholar Jesus Cervantes, “but it has also connected me with a group of ambitious and motivating peers who share a common enthusiasm for creating positive change in our communities.”