Equipping a new generation to be leaders for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) requires innovation in how we think about – and how we execute on – higher education. Part of the Thunderbird 4.0 vision is a new curriculum designed to provide the transdisciplinary, hands-on, cross-cultural education and experience that 4IR leaders require. Thunderbird has already made significant progress toward that vision, revamping the curriculum in four key areas (in addition to two completely new degree programs).
Thunderbird 4.0: Better poised to prepare future-ready leaders Thunderbird’s undergraduate program, located at ASU’s West campus in Glendale, which began in 2015 when Thunderbird became part of ASU, has revamped its curriculum during Dean Khagram’s tenure. Among other inno-
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Thunderbird Magazine Spring 2020
Leaders (100 students)
EMGLAS + EMGM
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10+ so f Ex pe ri
A New Curriculum for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Four key changes better position Thunderbird to prepare future-ready leaders
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EMAGAM
Washington, DC
EMGM-CE
Los Angeles, CA
Managers (100 students)
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Program Spotlight
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MGM (Local) Two Cohorts: 0-2 & 3-8
Professionals (500 students)
BS/BA + MGM 4+1 for senior ASU students International Trade
Global Management
vations, both undergraduate degree programs that Thunderbird offers, the Bachelor of Global Management (BGM) and the Bachelor of Science in International Trade (BSIT), now require students to complete a hands-on consulting project for a global company or an international firm as part of their final capstone course. At the end of the project, student teams present their recommendations directly to corporate executives. Roy Nelson, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, said, “this Capstone project requires students to draw upon everything they’ve learned from Thunderbird courses and apply that knowledge in a real-world, practical setting. Our undergraduate students graduate from our program with useful skills - and this required consulting project is definitely something that they can put on their resumes.” Students have already done consulting projects
Underbirds (1000 students)
for companies such as Honeywell, Axxon, and a non-profit organization, Food for the Hungry. Another key aspect of the Thunderbird 4.0 curriculum revamp is the introduction of two new degrees: The Executive Master of Global Leadership and Strategy and the Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management (read about them on page 44). These changes to our curriculum are designed to better prepare future leaders for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It is our mission to ensure all students leave Thunderbird with the knowledge and compassion to thrive as professionals in this era of change. T-birds will understand that the future health and prosperity of our global society relies on finding ways for everyone to benefit from the massive changes unfolding now and from those that lie ahead – and T-birds will be well-equipped to find and implement
Thunderbird.asu.edu/magazine
