USC Marshall Undergraduates: Women’s Leadership Delegation to China, May 2011.

The USC Marshall Undergraduate Program, alongside Stellar International Networks, offers 15 undergraduate students the opportunity to explore women's leadership roles that have been changing over the last 40 years.

USC Marshall Women’s Leadership Delegation May 2011

The role of women in society has continually changed and improved for the last 40 years. In the US, more women are receiving college degrees than men and an increasing number work part- or full-time. Women now hold leadership roles once thought of as only for men - high-level political offices, senior executive positions at Fortune 100 companies, and presidencies of major research universities. They work on the international space station, as news anchors and are prominent professional athletes. According to The Economist, for the last two decades, the increase in female employment in the developed world has been the main driving force in growth.

The USC Marshall Undergraduate Program, in partnership with Stellar International Networks, is offering the Women’s Leadership Delegation. Stellar’s goal is to support and enhance all women’s participation, influence, and visibility globally and in their respective societies. This program is an opportunity for 15 undergraduate Marshall students to explore the challenges and opportunities that women have in leadership roles. Participants will examine women’s roles in multiple venues including large corporations, entrepreneurial ventures, education, government, and community development.

The key components of the program include:

• Mentoring by women in leadership roles

• A group study tour to Shanghai, Beijing and Lijiang, China

• Site visits to companies and organizations founded and/or led   by women

These components will help students develop a broader network and improve their networking skills. Participants will also learn first-hand how women have secured leadership roles and how they address challenges in these roles. The China study tour provides an opportunity to examine women’s leadership issues in a global context. Participants who thoughtfully apply the knowledge they accrue, as well as the contacts they make during this program, will positively influence their own lives and the lives of others.

This international field study trip is an unprecedented opportunity. You will visit three very different cities within China where you will learn about business practices and life in China from the perspective of a female. Student will experience close interaction with mentors composed of female business leaders selected to join our delegation. The group will participate in meetings and social events with executives from small and large corporations, non-profit organizations, as well as government officials.

The program will be led by Professor Julia Plotts, Assistant Professor of Clinical Finance and Business Economics, in partnership with Laurie McDonald Jonsson, the CEO of Stellar International Networks as well as a member of the USC Marshall Board of Leaders.

Information about Stellar International Networks can be found on their website at http://www.stellarinternationalnetworks.com/home/index.php

Pre-Trip Meetings
The goal of the delegation is to celebrate and advance women's leadership in business. The undergraduates participating in this program will meet for 5 pre-trip meetings. In the pre-trip sessions you will discuss a wide variety of topics including globalization, leadership, the cultural and social environment of China and international ethics. The group will participate in team building exercises and will host several high-profile speakers. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory in order to travel with the group. Meetings are scheduled for the following Fridays from 12-1:50pm:

• April 1 Introduction – Speaker: Laurie McDonald Jonsson, CEO of Stellar International Networks

• April 8 Team Building or ELC Exercise – Location TBA

• April 15 Globalization – Leadership (Speaker)

• April 22 Cultural – Social Environment of China – International Ethics (Speaker)

• May 6 Trip Talk

Travel Itinerary
The USC group, along with the mentors, will travel to Shanghai, Beijing, and Lijiang, China. The group departs Los Angeles on Saturday, May 14th, and returns to LAX on Tuesday, May 24th. The cost of air travel, ground transportation, lodging, and most meals is covered by USC Marshall. Students are responsible for meals during free times and any personal expenses.

Visiting three very different cities in ten days will provide a new perspective complete with history, culture, and commerce. A sample day in Beijing might include an Embassy briefing on the current status of key issues in U.S.-China relations and/or a visit to the Dandelion Project School for the children of migrant workers – supported by a grass-roots volunteer organization of women professionals in Beijing. The Beijing portion will also include visits to major sites of interest such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and the Great Wall. To fully experience China, the delegation will take part in great shopping opportunities such as a visit to the Pearl Market. The time in Shanghai provides an opportunity for you to experience the largest city in China, a major center of commerce, with one of the world’s busiest ports. A sample site visit in Shanghai might include a tour of the Xintiandi project, a tourist attraction imbued with the city’s historical and cultural legacies. In Lijiang, you will visit the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain range in the foothills of the Himalayas and spend time exploring Dayan, the corridor connecting the ancient cultures of the areas of present Tibet, Yunnan, and Sichuan. An experience like this is an extraordinary opportunity on many levels. This is sure to be an amazing program for both our current and future leaders.

Application Process
This opportunity is open to current sophomore and juniors with a 3.3 or higher cumulative GPA. The application material (hard copy) is due at noon on Friday, October 15th in the Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs (Bridge 103).

Along with your completed application, essay, and personal statement, please attach:

1. A current resume that includes employment, internships, community involvement, and co-curricular activities.
2. A current copy of your USC transcript (a printout of OASIS is acceptable).

A pre-selection will take place and students invited to participate in the second round of the application process will be interviewed in late October/early November. All applicants will be notified of their status prior to the Thanksgiving break.

Information Sessions
For additional information about this program, you are invited to attend one of the information sessions:

• Wednesday, October 6 at 4 pm – Hoffman 302

• Thursday, October 7 at 12pm – Hoffman 506

Please RSVP to gpun@usc.edu to insure we have enough seating.

If you have any questions about the application, please contact Grace Pun at gpun@usc.edu.

Applications are due at noon on Friday, October 15th in the Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs (Bridge 103).