Investing in the Future: Donors Fund Immersive Career-Building Program
Thirteen students to take part in Tuck summer certificate program
Dickinson students will expand their career horizons this summer with a big assist from two anonymous donors, taking part in the Tuck Business Bridge summer program—a selective, immersive certificate program at Dartmouth College’s elite Tuck School of Business. The program provides foundational business training and immersive career-building experiences to students in a variety of majors.
The goal: to enhance participants’ ability to translate academic accomplishments into workplace readiness and prepare to launch their careers with confidence. And thanks to the generous donors, the program tuition is paid in full.
“We’re so grateful to the donors for their extraordinary level of generosity,” says Steve Riccio, executive director of Dickinson’s Burgess Institute for the Global Economy. “This transformative experience will equip students with critical leadership, business, and professional skills while expanding their confidence, networks and opportunities for future success.”
Ready to learn and lead
Tuck Business Bridge courses, taught by Ivy League MBA faculty, focus on topics such as finance, accounting, marketing, economics and leadership. Participants also complete team-based capstone projects and receive individualized career coaching. Alumni mentoring, internship and networking opportunities, and recruiting support are also available, along with career-preparation services such as mock interviews, resume reviews and employer connections.
Sound familiar? That’s because these offerings mirror the rich career-exploration and skill-building experiences and opportunities available to Dickinson students through the college’s Center for Career Development and Burgess Institute. Participation in the Tuck Business Bridge program allows interested students to gain additional perspectives and contacts alongside fellow motivated students from Dickinson and other colleges and universities.
A varied cohort
Successful applicants to the Tuck Business Bridge program must demonstrate academic ability, thoughtfulness and curiosity through a formal application and essay and by providing transcripts and a faculty recommendation. Students in any major are welcome to apply.
The Dickinson participants represent majors in data analytics; economics & quantitative economics; international studies; international business & management; law, justice & society; mathematics; and philosophy. There is also one undeclared major.
Responding to demand
The program costs nearly $12,000, and the Dickinson donors originally planned to fund the program fees for up to 10 students. But after a well-attended information session on campus, more students applied to—and were accepted into—the program than anticipated. The donors agreed to make the opportunity available to every accepted student, funding the tuition for all 13.
“Their generosity is giving students opportunities that many of us may never have had access to otherwise,” says Lily Spanos ’29 (undeclared), one of four rising sophomores who’ll participate in the program, along with members of the classes of ’27 and ‘28. “It means so much to know that there are people willing to invest in students and believe in helping young people grow, learn and gain confidence.”
Already focused on building leadership, teamwork and communication skills through academics and athletics, Spanos is eager to get started. “I’m especially looking forward to learning more about finance, marketing and problem-solving,” she says.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published June 8, 2026