Burgess Global Leadership Development Program: Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders
Students gather at the Paz Center for a Burgess Global Leadership event, in which they covered Habit #5 of "7 Habits of Highly Effective People," Seek First to Understand Then to Be Understood. Photo by Will Pickrel '29.
Students explore key pillars of global leadership through theory and practice
by Tony Moore
In a big step toward fostering (even more) engaged global citizenship, the Burgess Institute for the Global Economy has launched its first-ever Global Leadership Development Program for the 2025-26 academic year.
This transformative initiative invites students from all academic programs to deepen their leadership skills while aligning with Dickinson's mission to prepare its students for rich, fulfilling lives of impact.
“I wanted the program to be different from other leadership development programs that ‘business schools’ provide,” says Senior Lecturer of International Business & Management Steve Riccio, the executive director of the Burgess Institute, adding that each year, up to 12 sophomores, juniors and seniors will be selected. “They’re challenged to think critically, act ethically and lead collaboratively, while meeting with alumni mentors throughout the year who align with students' career aspirations.”
As far as program expectations, the time investment is 5-10 hours per month, allowing students to balance the program’s opportunities with their academic and extracurricular pursuits. And those hours are also spent getting to know fellow students in new ways.
“I was drawn to the program because it seemed like an awesome opportunity to connect with a new group of students while learning skills on how to become a better global leader,” says Mia Snellenburg ’28 (international business & management), one of the first 12 students in the inaugural cohort. “I’m very passionate about leadership and thought this would be a great opportunity to grow my skills.”
Building Leaders from the Inside Out
At its core, the program emphasizes four key pillars of global leadership: responsibility, open-mindedness, interconnectedness and justice. And through structured goals, students cultivate the capacity to lead across personal, interpersonal, team and systemic dimensions. Core competencies such as communication, cultural appreciation, collaboration, critical thinking and ethical decision-making take center stage, alongside explorations of personal values, strengths and leadership styles.
“Following a series of workshops and assessments during the fall semester, students will work in small teams during the spring to engage in project-based learning experiences with alumni who lead global enterprises,” Riccio says. “Through these experiences, they will increase their cultural competency and problem solving abilities.”
The program also prioritizes fostering a growth mindset and self-awareness via ongoing reflection and feedback. By working in diverse groups, participants learn to build trust and drive collaborative initiatives, preparing them to navigate the complexities of the global economy with integrity and empathy.
A Multifaceted Journey: Key Program Components
The experience is thoughtfully structured to blend theory, practice and personal growth, and it sets out to achieve these goals through a multipronged approach:
- Leadership workshops: Students have engaged in sessions based on Stephen Covey's timeless The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This renowned framework, trusted by thousands of global firms for more than 30 years, emphasizes proactivity, setting goals, prioritization and synergistic collaboration to unlock personal and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Alumni mentorship: Alumni involvement has been a key component of Burgess Institute activities since the start. Now, each participant is paired with an experienced alumni mentor who has worked internationally, and monthly meetings provide tailored guidance for development during and beyond Dickinson.
- Project-based learning: In spring 2026, small teams will tackle "real world" projects sponsored by Dickinson alumni. These initiatives will involve multiple stakeholders and directly tie into global economic challenges, offering practical application of leadership skills.
- Reflective practices: In-depth exercises punctuate the program, encouraging participants to process experiences, refine their approaches and sharpen their self-awareness.
"I've really enjoyed going through The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," says Chloe Heller '28, who intends to major in psychology and is interested in a career in human resources. With that in mind, she's been paired with mentor Lindsey Hollenshead '24, a human resources development program analyst with Wells Fargo. "I think it's a great way to build personal and professional skills as well as leadership skills, to help me propel myself into an HR career, which is all about communicating effectively with people."
To ensure a supportive and enriching environment, participants commit to a list of key expectations, from respecting diverse perspectives and maintaining confidentiality to stepping outside comfort zones, staying curious and embracing the fun of the journey.
“It’s been such an incredible experience so far, and I’ve learned so many important concepts,” says Snellenburg, noting that she too has already been paired with an alumni mentor, Betsey Rebello ’92, a client partner with global consultant firm Slalom. “That part has been so amazing, and it’s so helpful for gaining experience from someone who is a global leader. Overall, Professor Riccio and his Burgess team have created a program that has been a great experience, and I can’t wait for what’s to come.”
Applications for the 2026-27 cohort will open in spring—stay tuned via Handshake for details.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published November 20, 2025