Program introduces Native American high school students to B-school

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—September 11, 2009

CONTACT: Kim Keating, 603-646-2733

HANOVER, N.H.—The Tuck School of Business recently hosted its twelfth session of the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) initiative developed to introduce minority high school students to business. The LEAD program allows students to connect with business people and work in teams where they test problem-solving skills on real-world business issues. 

This year, Tuck designed and launched a program for Native Americans. Thirteen rising high school seniors were sponsored by the Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) and encouraged to pursue a career in business. The initiative provided them with a month-long immersion experience in a business school environment and included information and exercises on how to build their own road map to success. 

Tashina Etter, associate director of NAFOA explains, "We witness first-hand the severe lack of Native American professionals with MBAs who are able to contribute to vital economic development efforts in Native American communities. We are confident that our partnership with the Tuck School and the LEAD Program will create a pipeline of Native American students who are will be able to have a positive influence in their communities through business."

Christie St-John, senior associate director of admissions and recruiting at Tuck, says, "Once young Native Americans understand how business can help their tribes thrive, they become excited about ways they can use business in their own communities. If these students can learn to run nonprofit groups, start entrepreneurial ventures, or better manage casinos and other business projects, they can have a huge impact that will last for generations."

NAFOA LEAD student Sonia Michelle Hoffman of the Cheyenne/Arapaho tribes in Oklahoma City says, "This program showed me that through a few motivated individuals a Native American tribe can overcome hardship and ultimately cultivate very successful businesses. Where I am from, tribes are not informed or do not have the motivation to take the businesses to the next level. The fact that NAFOA LEAD teaches students at my age excites me."

LEAD graduates often receive support through college and beyond since the organization puts students in touch with mentors who assist them in finding internships or permanent jobs. LEAD has been a program at Tuck since 1997 and provides a valuable stepping-stone to future business education and careers.

Founded in 1900, Tuck is the first graduate school of management in the country and consistently ranks among the top business schools worldwide. Tuck remains distinctive among the world's great business schools by combining human scale with global reach, rigorous coursework with experiences requiring teamwork, and valued traditions with innovation.