Smith Launches New Advisory Councils

At Maryland Smith, students are prepared with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their fields. But as those fields constantly evolve, education must too. That’s why Maryland Smith has created a suite of Advisory Councils.

With 11 councils – two for undergraduate programs and nine for graduate programs – Maryland Smith is connecting alums, employers and research centers to assess the school’s curriculum and ensure that its students are equipped to work effectively in those evolving fields.

“Advisory councils keep us actively engaged with industry leaders and experts, who bring their real-world experience to help shape what students learn, match classroom lessons to real-world needs, and widen the pipeline for internship and job opportunities,” Maryland Smith Dean Prabhudev Konana says.

Currently, each council consists of roughly 20 members – they’ll eventually grow to 30 – who will offer insights into what employers are looking for in new hires, while highlighting notable developments in the business environment.

Advisors will serve two-year terms, gathering for one or two meetings each year, while also engaging at various times with the Dean's Office, program directors, academic chairs, and faculty and students.

The councils will convene in College Park on Oct.15 for a Smith Advisory Council Welcome, when council members will discuss their roles and goals, and network with students.

Wendy Moe, the associate dean of Maryland Smith’s master’s programs and the Dean’s Professor of Marketing, says she hopes the advisory councils might result in other potential benefits for Smith – with additional scope for engaging guest speakers, experiential learning projects and networking opportunities for students, faculty and alums.

“I think it’s going to change the energy across the school and UMD community in such a positive way,” says Moe.