Three Smith seniors were honored as Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars, recognizing mentorship’s impact. At a Nov. 1 ceremony, Abigail Manga, Adelina Seck, and Grayson Vintz celebrated their achievements alongside K-12 and Smith mentors, highlighting the program’s legacy of excellence.

Wendy Sanhai, PhD, MBA, has been appointed Visiting Professor of Practice in Management and Organization at the Smith School. She will also serve as Outreach Ambassador, collaborating with industry and agencies to advance research, education, and initiatives in life sciences.

New research by Hui Liao at the Smith School reveals that obsessive passion in teams can stifle innovation by hindering reflection and flexibility. In contrast, harmonious passion promotes team reflexivity and fosters greater innovation.

The Smith School's Reuben Hurst finds that flatter hierarchies, though promoting collaboration, may reduce gender diversity in job applicants. His study shows such structures lead to fewer women applying for jobs.

Boeing's outlook improves with new CEO Robert Ortberg, despite ongoing National Transportation Safety Board hearings and labor negotiations. Ortberg's proven leadership in aerospace offers optimism for shareholders, while the company faces significant internal and external challenges.

Debra Shapiro's research examines social justice advocacy in workplaces. The study finds support varies based on whether the advocate is an ally or a disadvantaged group advocate, influenced by the appeal receiver's identification with the group.

Diversity enhances business innovation, yet homogeneity persists, especially at the top. Aneesh Rai of the Smith School and colleagues found larger homogeneous groups more likely to diversify, highlighting the need to address diversity gaps in smaller teams.

A study co-authored by Aneesh Rai, assistant professor of management and organization at the Smith School, suggests breaking large career goals into smaller tasks boosts long-term commitment and performance.

Women now hold 55% of U.S. life-science doctorates, up from 32-38% in the mid-1980s. However, junior women face funding and tenure disparities compared to men and senior women, hindering the full benefits of gender diversity in science.