Emphasizing Independent Thinking and Civil Discourse: The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business Initiatives

Strategic Insights -

The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business is committed to fostering a culture of independent thinking, civil discourse, and global engagement among its students. This is achieved through immersive programs, debate series, and initiatives like the Fact-Based Discourse Initiative, which encourage students to tackle challenges, develop leadership skills, and prepare to lead with curiosity and integrity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Smith experience places a strong emphasis on independent thinking, civil discourse, and global engagement, with students encouraged to form their own views by evaluating all sides and asking hard questions.
  • The Smith Business Leadership Fellows Program (SBLF), introduced in 2022, provides students with immersive opportunities to practice these principles through self-discovery, team-based experiential learning, and real-world problem-solving.
  • The Interdisciplinary Business Honors Living-Learning Program (IBH), in partnership with the University of Maryland Honors College, offers a two-year experience for exceptional students from all majors, focusing on developing technical business skills to tackle society's biggest challenges.
  • The Snider Enterprise and Leadership Fellows (SELF) Experience, an outreach program through the Terp Young Scholars program, enables high school students to think as CEOs of their own entrepreneurial ventures, creating pitches in teams.
  • The Smith School's Centers of Excellence, including the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets, foster discussion on big issues through events like the Campus Liberty Tour Debate Series, which encourages students to focus on how to think rather than what to think.
  • The Fact-Based Discourse Initiative, launched in 2024, will host the Heterodox Academy (HxA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, exploring ways to strengthen intellectual diversity and open inquiry.

Statistics:

  • Since its inception in 2015, the SELF Experience has drawn nearly 200 students from around the world, many of whom later enrolled as undergraduates at Maryland.
  • The SBLF has over 50 current fellows, with participants exploring the two pillars of "Focus on Me" and "Focus on We."
  • The IBH has been successful in developing students' technical business skills, with 90% of graduates going on to pursue careers in business or entrepreneurship.
  • Over 100 students have participated in the Campus Liberty Tour Debate Series since its inception in 2018, debating topics such as nationalism vs. globalism.

Sources:

  • University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
  • Robert H. Smith School of Business Press Release
  • Fact-Based Discourse Initiative Press Release