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Cornell University

2024 Semlitz Fellows

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Semlitz Family Sustainability Fellows Program 2024 Call for Applications

As the scope, pace, and impact of environmental and social issues increase in scale and complexity, there is a growing need for professionals able to understand the underlying science of those issues and how best to factor them into innovation and investment decision-making processes which support communities and ecosystems.

Established through the generosity of Stephen Semlitz (ILR ’75, MBA ‘76) & Cathy Glaser (ILR ‘74), the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business are launching the Semlitz Family Sustainability Fellows Program (Semlitz Fellows). The program is designed to bring early career researchers and business students together to prepare for careers in sustainability leadership. Through a combination of coursework, professional development, and experiential learning, Semlitz Fellows will learn to make informed choices about where and how to apply sustainability-related decision-making to impact our most pressing challenges, work across scientific and managerial boundaries to achieve that impact, and build a lasting career which affects our economies, environment, and society.

Each cohort of six Semlitz Fellows will include three (3) MBA students and three (3) early career researchers (Ph.D. students and/or postdoctoral scholars) who together will deepen skills necessary for identifying and anticipating opportunities and potential pitfalls in sustainability and business to become more adept at navigating the intersection of the fields of science and business to address sustainability issues.

Eligibility

  • MBA students: 2nd year Cornell MBA students
  • Ph.D. students or postdoctoral scholars (within two years of Ph.D. completion) from a range of fields with work related to sustainability who have demonstrated interest in engaging with the business community

Application Process & Key Program Dates

  • Application Deadline: June 30, 2024
  • Application Review & Interviews: July 2024
  • Candidate Notification: August 1, 2024
  • Program Start: August 26, 2024
  • Program Completion: May 17, 2025

Application Materials

  • Resume / CV
  • A one-page statement of interest outlining: (1) why the applicant is interested in the program, (2) what the applicant hopes to get out of the program, (3) what the applicant brings to the program, and (4) initial capstone project interests (see accompanying FAQ for more information on the capstone project).
  • A one-page letter of recommendation
    • Ph.D. students / Postdoctoral scholars: from a faculty advisor acknowledging support of the applicant to participate in the program and fulfill all program requirements in the 2024-2025 academic year.
    • MBA Students: from a Cornell SC Johnson College of Business faculty member confirming the applicant’s interests in sustainability, motivation, and professionalism.

Program Requirements

  • All participants
    • Complete NBA 6030 Strategies for Sustainability (1.5 credits) – Fall 2024 or Spring 2025
    • Participation in the Semlitz Fellows Seminar (Fall 2024 & Spring 2025)
    • Completion of a Semlitz Fellows capstone project focused on a topic of the candidate’s choice at the intersection of sustainability science-business application. Topics will be finalized in consultation with program faculty.
  • MBA students (only)
    • Six credits of program-approved coursework related to sustainability science and business.

Program Benefits

  • Ph.D. students (endowed or contract)
    • Up to nine months academic year GRA stipend, tuition, and health insurance
  • Postdoctoral scholars (endowed or contract)
    • Up to nine months support (salary & fringe benefits)
  • MBA students
    • Partial tuition scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Semlitz Fellows Program?

  • The Semlitz Fellows Program is open to MBA students and early career researchers, including endowed- and contract-college Ph.D. students and Postdoctoral scholars, who are interested in the intersection of sustainability science and business.

What is the purpose of the Semlitz Fellows Program?

  • The Semlitz Fellows Program is a new initiative (launched in 2024) to facilitate the understanding and application of sustainability-related science in business decision-making processes, and the understanding of business decision-making processes by sustainability researchers.

Do Semlitz Fellows receive any funding?

  • Yes. Ph.D. students will receive up to nine months of GRA stipend, tuition, and health insurance support. Postdoctoral scholars will receive up to nine months of salary and fringe benefit support. MBA students will receive a partial tuition scholarship.

Are Semlitz Fellows required to do any coursework?

  • Yes. All Semlitz Fellows will be required to complete: 1) NBA 6030 Strategies for Sustainability in the fall 2024 or spring 2025 semester; 2) the Semlitz Fellows seminar for fall and spring semesters; and 3) a Semlitz Fellows capstone project.Strategies for Sustainability is a 1.5 credit, seven-week, half term, lecture and case-based course which covers the fundamental issues of sustainability in the private sector context. The class meets twice per week for a 1.25-hour session. The Semlitz Fellows seminar will include a mixture of sessions (i.e., lectures, discussion, speakers) focused on content as well as on supporting Fellows in the identification, development, and completion of their capstone project. The seminar will meet for up to two hours every two to three weeks. Additionally, MBA students are required to complete additional coursework aligned with their interests which can be selected from a list of eligible courses.

What is the Semlitz Fellows capstone project?

  • The Semlitz Fellows program is designed to increase knowledge and understanding that: 1) scientists have about how their work is applied or influences the decisions in the private sector; and 2) business managers have about the value and relevance which sustainability science has to business investment decisions and competitive strategy. The capstone project is the experiential learning opportunity Semlitz Fellows have to target an interest area at the intersection of sustainability science and business and conduct applied research on that topic. All projects will be expected to rely on a combination of secondary and primary data.

Can a Semlitz Fellow define their capstone project?

  • Yes. Working with program faculty, each Fellow will define their capstone project focus based on their own area of interest, develop a research plan, and complete the project. Semlitz Fellows can complete their capstone project individually or working in collaboration with other Fellows.

What is the time commitment for the Semlitz Fellows program?

  • NBA 6030 Strategies for Sustainability will require approximately 75 hours between class sessions and assignments. The Semlitz Fellows Seminar will require approximately 40 hours of meeting time over the course of the academic year (approximately 20 hours in the fall term and 20 hours in the spring term). The capstone project will require approximately 75 hours in the fall 2024 term and 75 hours in the spring 2025 term.

More Questions?

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