SHARE Fellowship

Overview

The Thunderbird SHARE Fellowship is a merit-based scholarship and executive mentorship program for exceptional Thunderbird students enrolled in Thunderbird’s full-time Master of Global Management degree program.  SHARE’s ”change makers" come from developing countries and plan to make an impact in their home regions.  

SHARE’s goal is to give promising talent the opportunity to turbo-charge their future – and the future of their home regions – with an education from Thunderbird. At the same time, they bring their leadership, insight, cultural experiences and broad worldview to the school, enriching the student experience and the Thunderbird community through their unique perspectives. 

Dozens of alumni have supported SHARE over the years. There are many ways to participate:  Financial support, mentoring, referring candidates, offering jobs or internships. A typical SHARE Fellow interacts with at least 10 alumni, and graduates as a fully engaged member of the alumni community. SHARE graduates stay in touch, and give back immediately to the school by mentoring others and eventually contributing financially.

SHARE's scholarship component

Funded by alumni and friends of Thunderbird, SHARE ensures full tuition and expense money so its Fellows can participate fully in campus life, take advantage of unpaid internships, and attend optional academic programs. It truly levels the playing field - Fellows collaborate and compete on equal footing with economically privileged classmates. 

Image of Thunderbird SHARE Fellow
Image of Thunderbird SHARE Fellow

SHARE's unique mentoring model

SHARE is unlike traditional mentor programs.  SHARE's unique offerings include individualized training, goal setting, tutoring, mentoring and high-level introductions from multiple experts and senior executives.  Unlike traditional mentorship programs, Fellows are taught business communication skills and networking techniques, then are given introductions so they can build their professional networks and develop their own mentoring relationships – skills which last a lifetime.  SHARE Fellows graduate with developed networks of executive mentors in their industries or geographies.

Selection Criteria

  • From a developing country, regardless of current passport, guided by the OECD list of ODA countries or similar regions
     
  • A plan to make a positive impact to the applicant’s home region, now or in the future
  • Financial need is given strong consideration as SHARE aims to attract students who would not be able to attend Thunderbird otherwise
     
  • Clarity/viability of professional goals and why a Thunderbird MGM degree is essential to achieving them
  • Entrepreneurial experience and a demonstrated spirit of innovation regardless of sector 
     
  • Global interests and demonstration of a global mindset
  • Demonstrated leadership and community involvement
     
  • At least five years’ relevant professional experience or equivalent skills from hands-on opportunities
     
  • A commitment to integrate the transformative technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as a catalyst for impact

Share Fellowship Timeline

Are you ready to SHARE your passion with the world?

Timeline Milestone

September

  • Fall application opens September 1st.

  • Attend SHARE Fellowship webinar.

  • Complete SHARE pre-assessment Survey

October - November

  • Submit Thunderbird's MGM application.

  • Complete admissions process.

  • Admissions interview.

  • Gather pending documents.

December

  • If eligible, obtain admission to Thunderbird's MGM by December 31st.

Note: to be reviewed for the SHARE Fellowship, students must be admitted prior to December 31st.

January - February

  • If eligible, you will be nominated by the Thunderbird Admissions Council to the SHARE Committee.

  • You will be invited for your last interview with the SHARE Committee.

March - April 

  • Final decisions.

  • Recipients are notified.

  • Accept award!

 

How to apply

SHARE is always interested in exceptional candidates from developing countries, regardless of current residence or citizenship. The first step for applicants is to contact Thunderbird Admissions to determine eligibility.

Image of Thunderbird SHARE Fellows with mentor
Image of Thunderbird Alumn Marshall Parke

SHARE's Story

In 2007 alumnus Marshall Parke ’77 developed a plan to provide scholarships for students from developing countries who might otherwise not have the resources to attend Thunderbird. Parke's experience working in developing countries taught him that a degree is only half the battle. These students needed access to strong networks and professional mentoring as well. The idea was simple but compelling: to provide the same sort of support one would provide a family member, but to focus that attention on exceptional students from developing countries.

He founded the Thunderbird SHARE Fellowship, an alumni-funded scholarship/mentorship program for students from emerging and developing countries. Since awarding its first scholarships in 2008, the program has attracted over forty alumni contributors and countless mentoring volunteers.