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MBA Program Organizations and Clubs
MBA Program Organizations
and Clubs
The Robert H. Smith School of Business
offers a number of special interest clubs
and organizations that allow students opportunities
for networking, professional development,
and fun. Smith students often participate
in a number of different organizations based
on their career and personal interests,
and are encouraged to start their own clubs.
Asian MBA Association
 The
vision for the
Asian MBA Association is to provide
support services to Asian MBA/MS students
at the Smith School. Our group strives to
build skills that will facilitate more effective
integration into mainstream corporate America
and to provide a forum for efficient exchange
of cultural aspects between members and
among business school students. The Association
regards socialization and career development
aspects of an MBA/MS life in equal light.
The Association is primarily geared towards
addressing the needs and concerns of Asian
MBA students. The Association, however,
welcomes active participation and meaningful
contribution from non-Asian MBA students.
We strive to be the focal point for dissemination
of relevant information and services targeted
towards Asian MBA students. We regard socialization
and career development skills (networking)
to be among the most important for future
managers. Thus, we work hard to plan events
that are geared toward enhancing these skills.
An example of a notable activity sponsored
by the Asian MBA Association is the Guest
Speaker Series where successful Asian or
Asian-American entrepreneurs are invited
to speak at the Smith School about their
business experiences in the US and to provide
insightful advice to aspiring managers.
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Healthcare
Business Association
The
Healthcare Business Association
promotes the development of Robert H. Smith
School of Business as the premier MBA program
for producing business leaders in the life
science, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology
industries. Through regular meetings and
events, the club actively creates relationships
with industry leaders and informs the Smith
community of BioBusiness advances and career
opportunities.
Our mission is to bring the issues, trends,
and developments of BioBusiness to The Robert
H. Smith School of Business and the entire
University of Maryland community. BIO|PhARMA
is not a science organization, but rather
is focused on business issues and opportunities
in the life science, biotechnology and pharmaceutical
industries. BIO|PhARMA will continue to
foster relationships with local companies,
corporations, and organizations within these
industries, with the ultimate goal of identifying
internship and full-time career employment
opportunities for Smith students and alumni.
Our objectives include education of faculty
and students about the life science industries,
identification of opportunities for MBAs
within these industries, establishment of
BIO|PhARMA as the leading Bio-MBA club,
and hosting events that bring together leaders
from the life science industries with students
and faculty at Smith.
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Black MBA Association
 The
purpose of the
Black MBA Association is to promote
a healthy learning environment for Black
students, both African American and those
of African descent from other regions, in
the MBA program at the Robert H. Smith School
of Business. We recognize that this type
of environment is created through many different
avenues; therefore, we strive to:
- Sponsor programs and activities, which
educate and inform the community about business
issues from a Black perspective.
- Provide opportunities for our membership
to support one another through mentoring,
open forums, and social activities.
- Give back to the greater community through
outreach activities such as food drives,
tutoring programs and participation in volunteer
efforts sponsored by other organizations.
- Promote a network of current and future
Black business professionals for the purpose
of sharing information, providing professional
guidance, and creating fellowship with one
another.
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China Business
Association
The mission of the club is to:
- Introduce the Smith Business School
Community to Chinese business practices
and culture.
- Develop an appreciation for China's
impact on the global economy.
- Enhance the experience and professional
development of all members by providing
academic, professional, and networking
resources.
- Have authentic Chinese food and
fun.
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Communications
Club
The ability to communicate effectively
is one of the most important skills managers
need to be successful. The
Communications Club helps students
develop oral and written presentation skills,
focusing on job interviewing and networking.
The club meets every two weeks to provide
a relaxed and fun forum to practice prepared
and impromptu speeches in front of peers.
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Consulting
Club
The
MBA Consulting Club is dedicated
to providing Smith students with the tools
and resources necessary to begin challenging
and rewarding careers in the Management
Consulting industry. We will educate, prepare,
and encourage our members through career
building and networking initiatives that
provide personal and professional development,
facilitate interaction between consulting
firms and interested students, and bring
to light new developments and novel perspectives
from the industry. Our efforts will be anchored
by events such as our annual signature event,
The Smith Consulting Forum, industry visits,
and and the Smith Strategy Challenge.
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Entrepreneurship
Club
The mission of the
Entrepreneurship Club is to assist
UMD graduate students pursuing careers in
either the entrepreneurial sector or venture
capital industry. We work to provide education
and aid to students creating businesses
of their own.
The eClub plans to host events to support
three tracks of career interest among students:
1) Entrepreneurship, 2) Venture Capital
and 3) New Trends in Entrepreneurship (encompassing
niche interests like venture philanthropy,
etc.). The activities planned for this year
include career-related speakers; tours and
outreach events to support the entrepreneurial
community within Smith and the University
as a whole; and our premiere event, the
Venture Capital Investment Competition.
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Ethics
Committee
The Ethics Committee provides a forum
for the discussion and promotion of an ethical
environment at the Robert H. Smith School
of Business. In doing so, we seek to provide
an ethical foundation for professional life
and provide assistance to students in the
resolution of ethical problems.
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European MBA
Association (EMBAA)
EMBAA is
open to all Robert H. Smith school MBA students,
who have an interest in learning about European
culture, business opportunities in Europe
and fostering closer relationships with
European students, regardless of their origin.
In addition to the 25 countries that comprise
the official European Union, our Club includes
all of historical Europe from Iceland
to Turkey and to Russia!
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Finance Association
The
Finance Association works to prepare
students for opportunities in finance-related
careers, at companies like investment banks,
corporations, investment management firms,
commercial banks, consulting firms, and
financial news institutions. The Finance
Association helps students achieve their
career goals through workshops such as mock
interviews, resume reviews, and seminars
on careers in finance. Other functions of
the Association include arranging panel
discussions to explore a variety of finance-related
topics and networking events designed to
help students meet professionals, alumni,
and other students. Events for this year
include internship and resume workshops,
a trip to a NY networking event, a mock
interview workshop, and a Finance Association
Speaker Series which attracts industry professionals
to share their knowledge and experiences
with current MBA students.
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Graduate Marketing
Association (GMA)
Our mission is to strengthen the reputation
of the Robert H. Smith School of Business
at the University of Maryland by bringing
greater awareness to the business community
of the school's offerings as they relate
to marketing excellence.
Our goal is to educate students on issues
in the marketing industry and the career
development process in a manner that is
ethically responsible and mindful of the
uniqueness of each individual. The
GMA strives to increase students'
overall success in securing marketing positions
by sponsoring such activities as the guest
speaker program featuring leading marketing
professionals, supplying career search assistance,
planning social events with marketing faculty
and alumni, and providing networking opportunities.
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Hispanic MBA
Association
 The
Hispanic MBA Association has been
established for the expressed purpose of
aiding Hispanic resident, Latin international
students, and those interested in Latin
Culture in the MBA program. This includes
tutorial, peer advising and consultation,
career development, networking, conference
attendance, workshops, and promotion of
interaction with the business community.
Membership in the Hispanic MBA Association
provides students with the opportunity to
network with current and Hispanic business
leaders in professional, academic and social
settings. The aim of the HMBAA is to provide
contacts and resources that members need
to further enhance their MBA experience.
Examples of Hispanic Association activities
include the annual welcome party for new
students, a resume book, career workshops
and career advising, and co-sponsored events
with the Asian, European, and Black MBA
student groups. Members of the Hispanic
Association also attend the Conference of
NSHMBAA and actively participate in the
National Society of Hispanic MBAs-DC.
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Indian
MBAA
 The Indian MBA Association seeks to strengthen
social ties, build community among Indian
graduate students, and provide links to
Indian organizations on campus and within
the local area.
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International
Club
International Club leverages the
diversity of the Smith school and increase
international awareness through cultural
and social activities. The Club also provides
exposure to international business opportunities
while increasing the international consciousness
of the Robert H. Smith brand. International
Club plans to host 1) cross-cultural events
conducted by host countries, 2) introduction
to American culture series, and 3) international
career sessions. We welcome active participation
of all students.
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Jewish MBA Association
The
Jewish MBA Association seeks to
strengthen social ties, build community
among Jewish graduate students, and provide
links to Jewish organizations on campus
and within the local area.
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Mayer Fund
 In
1993, three Maryland MBA students, with
the guidance and encouragement of then-Business
School Dean William Mayer, created a student-managed
portfolio known as the Terrapin Fund. Established
with a contribution of $250,000 from the
College of Business and Management Foundation,
the Fund has grown, through outside contributions
and healthy returns, to more than $1,000,000
in July 2004. In May 1999, Dean Howard Frank
announced that , in recognition of Dean
Mayer's commitment to the Fund, it be renamed
the
Mayer Fund.
The Mayer Fund is managed by a select
group of second-year, full-time MBA students.
These students are selected by their predecessors
during the spring semester each year. Reflecting
on the diversity of the business school's
student body, Mayer Fund students come from
a variety of educational, professional and
cultural backgrounds. Work on the Mayer
Fund provides Maryland MBA students with
in-depth financial analysis and investment
experience. The Fund also contributes to
the MBA program's national reputation.
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MBA Association
The
MBA Association is the umbrella
student government organization for the
Smith MBA program. The MBAA executive team
works to coordinate and fund individual
club activities in a manner that creates
professional and social opportunities for
all Smith MBA students. In addition, the
executive team works with student government
leaders from other top MBA programs in order
to draw upon best practices and share them
within the Smith community.
Our Mission is to channel the creative
ideas of the student body into actions that
produce lasting benefits for the MBA program
and its clients. Some of our efforts include:
- Arranging social and networking opportunities
for students, faculty and alumni.
- Working to improve all facets of the MBA
program through interaction with students,
faculty and alumni.
- Serving as the liaison between the various
MBA clubs and the Dean's office for funding
and other administrative issues.
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Net Impact
Net Impact is a network of emerging
business leaders committed to using the
power of business to create a better world.
It is also the most progressive and influential
network of MBAs in existence today. Originally
founded as Students for Responsible Business
in 1993, Net Impact has developed from a
great idea shared by a few business students
into a mission-driven network of 9,000 new
leaders for better business. Through its
central office and 90 local chapters, Net
Impact offers a portfolio of programs to
help members broaden their business education,
refine their leadership skills, and pursue
their professional goals, while building
their network. The national organization
is headquartered in San Francisco.
At the Robert H. Smith School of Business,
we understand that true business leadership
creates positive economic, social and environmental
change. Net Impact at Smith serves as a
hub for both academic and career-oriented
activities related to developing a broader
perspective of leadership and entrepreneurship.
Through guest lecturers, student discussions,
interactive workshops, and community volunteering,
we explore new business models and methods
to exert a positive impact upon our environment.
Net Impact at Smith is dedicated to educating
business leaders to value all their stakeholders,
providing academic and professional support
to this growing network, and creating tangible
positive change in the world.
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New Markets
Growth Fund
Twelve 2nd year students work as Associates
for the
New Markets Growth Fund (NMGF),
a $20 million private equity fund that provides
equity financing and operational assistance
to both early-stage ventures and small to
mid-sized growth companies located in the
Greater Baltimore-Washington and Northern
Virginia Area. Through the Fund, students
gain an in depth understanding of working
with an actual venture fund, while covering
the entire deal process from research, selection,
and investment as well as operational support
of portfolio companies.
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Real Estate
Association
As one of the newest and most talked
about organizations, the Real Estate Association
(REA) is being developed within the Smith
School MBA program to foster a community
of students and alumni with an interest
in real estate. Currently, the Washington
Metropolitan Area is one of the strongest
real estate markets in the nation. It fit
to have a real estate focused student organization
affiliated with the region's strongest MBA
program.
The REA was founded to assist current
Smith School MBA students in their search
for professional opportunities in the real
estate industry; to sustain a critical mass
of interest in real estate programming to
encourage a full-fledged real estate curriculum;
to provide alumni who are active in the
real estate industry with an outlet to maintain
their involvement with the Smith School;
and to support programming that will educate
MBA students on various aspects of the real
estate industry for both professional and
personal endeavors.
Go to
http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/organizations/realestateassociation/
for more information on the Real Estate
Association.
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 Smith Association
of Women MBAs (formerly GWIB)
The mission of the
Smith Association of Women MBAs
("SAWMBA) is to celebrate the advancement
of women in the business world, foster relationships
inside and outside the University of Maryland
community, and create professional, academic
and personal resources for Smith women.
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Smith Pride Alliance
 The
Smith Pride Alliance brings together current
students, alumni, faculty, friends and family
of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender) community at the Smith School.
Our mission is to: (1) Create a safe
forum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
and allied Smith MBA students to come together
to support the social, academic and career
pursuits of the LGBT community. (2) Help
students with specific issues, such as coming
out in society and at work. (3) Foster leaders
in our future workplaces who will shape
and encourage diversity in all its forms.
(4) Develop relationships with other MBA
LGBT communities, and with LGBT communities
within the University of Maryland.
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The Smith Store
 The
Smith Store is an entirely student-run organization
dedicated to providing students with hands-on
management experience and promoting the
Smith brand. In addition to managing a full-service
e-commerce site (www.thesmithstore.com),
the Smith Store holds regular sales in Van
Munching Hall at the University of Maryland.
The Smith Store was founded in 2001 by
a group of MBA students within the school’s
Entrepreneurship Club. The organization
has grown substantially since and continues
to serve the Smith community with help from
the recognized Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship.
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Supply
Chain/Logistics Club
The
Supply Chain/Logistics Club provides
networking and industry information to students
interested in the fields of Logistics and
Supply Chain Management. The club sponsors
speakers, plant tours, and various forums
to accentuate the MBA curriculum with the
goal of enhancing understanding of the industry.
The Supply Chain Club also sponsors networking
events and corporate contacts to help students
find employment in the Logistics and Supply
Chain fields.
Current and past events include speaker
events with local prominent leaders in the
supply chain and logistics industry, a workshop
on Supply Chain Management Practice and
Research Status and Future Directions, and
a Supply Chain electives forum.
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