Stanford GSB Honors Students for Social Entrepreneurship

Stanford Graduate School Business has named a list of students that it is recognizing with awards and fellowships for social innovation.

Of these awards, the one that packs the most financial punch is the Social Innovation Fellowship, which provides a stipend of $110,000 over the course of the year to a graduating Stanford GSB student.

This year, two Social Innovation Fellowships were awarded, to Claire Fisher, an MBA student, and Sarah Craig, a student in Stanford GSB’s Master of Science for Experienced Leaders (MSx) program.

Both Fisher and Craig are launching social ventures focused on education.

Fisher is creating a new kind of charter school called Arena, where the curriculum will emphasize entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth and academic excellence. She said that the award “affords me the opportunity to make this plan something I can and will do, not just talk about.”

Craig, meanwhile, envisions creating a type of school that prepares students for successful careers, including by involving parents in the education process and celebrating diversity.

She said that the fellowship would give her “financial support as well as additional credibility” as she begins to “build the foundation for Journey Schools and ready our doors for opening next fall.”

Besides financial support, the award gives recipients the opportunity to collaborate with Stanford GSB’s Center for Social Innovation. The nature of this collaboration depends on the individual needs of recipients but has previously included coaching and introductions to advisers.

The Social Innovation Fellowship might be Stanford GSB’s most eye-catching award for social innovation, but it’s not the only one.

This year, Stanford also honored 13 students with the Miller Social Change Leadership Award. Recipients of this award are recognized for their academic excellence in social innovation, their practical achievements, and their contributions to Stanford GSB’s social innovation community.

According to dean Jonathan Levin, these awards highlight Stanford GSB’s thriving social entrepreneurship scene.

Levin pointed out that “a remarkable number of Stanford GSB students and young alums are dedicating themselves to social entrepreneurship,” which he said was “a testament to the energy, optimism and passion of Stanford GSB students to change the world for the better.”

If social innovation is an area that interests you, Stanford GSB is naturally a school that might pique your interest. But how do you stack up with other applicants to Stanford’s competitive programs, and how can you submit an application that gives a compelling summary of your personal brand?

We have years of experience on both sides of the admissions process that we can you to help you answer these questions. Contact us for a free assessment!