Yale SOM Welcomes New Students to Residential Programs

Incoming students in Yale SOM’s residential degree programs assembled in the Shen Courtyard on August 11 to begin their weeklong orientation with remarks from school leaders. Welcoming the newest members of the SOM community, Dean Kerwin K. Charles focused on the school’s mission to educate leaders for business and society.

“You are all united by your commitment to the mission that defines the school,” Charles said. “Delivering on that mission is a collective enterprise which requires your ceaseless, vigorous, and enthusiastic engagement.”

In attendance were new members of the full-time MBA, Master of Advanced Management, Master’s in Global Business and Society, Master’s in Systemic Risk, Master’s in Asset Management, and Master’s in Technology Management programs.

Entering students in the MBA for Executives and Master’s in Public School Management programs began their Yale SOM careers last month.

Dean Charles encouraged incoming students to cultivate relationships with SOM faculty, school leaders, and the broader Yale and New Haven communities. He also noted that students have the opportunity to learn from and work with peers of different backgrounds, skills, and perspectives.

“Talk to them, learn from them, partner with them” he said. “There will be challenges at which you’re not the best. Learn to work toward a common goal with someone differently skilled than you.”

Anjani Jain, deputy dean for academic programs and professor in the practice of management, emphasized the combination of tradition and innovation that SOM offers students through academics, extracurriculars, and professional training.

“Our tradition of scholarly research combines intellectual exuberance and pragmatic wisdom that faculty bring to bear on emerging management problems,” Jain said.

Students also heard from Anita Sharif-Hyder, dean of students, who joined SOM earlier this year and was experiencing Orientation for the first time.

“Today marks the beginning of an educational experience that will challenge you, inspire you, and shape who you become,” Sharif-Hyder said. “You’ll share coffee chats that turn into job offers and weekend getaways that become lifelong memories. You’ll go from strangers to teammates, and from teammates to something that feels a lot like family.”

Orientation Week at SOM will include team-building and meditation exercises, community service opportunities, a cookout, and outings to nearby East Rock Park. New students will also hear addresses from Heather Hiles ’95, a former Gates Foundation leader and the founder of cloud-based portfolio platform Pathbrite, and from Yale President Maurie McInnis.

The Yale School of Management Orientation Keynote Speaker Series is under the auspices of the Robert J. Silver ’50 Fund for Innovation in Management Education.