The Fuqua on Board (FOB) program matches Duke MBA students with Durham-area nonprofits to serve as non-voting board members. Over the course of a year-long engagement, pairs of students work with a board mentor, participate in board meetings, attend relevant committee meetings, and fulfill the responsibilities of an active board member. FOB Fellows also complete a project for their nonprofit organization designed to map directly onto improving board governance and functioning.
Students serve as “board fellows,” gaining valuable insight into the governance and inner workings of nonprofit organizations while providing the nonprofits with fresh perspectives and critical business skills. FOB provides training, coaching, and peer support throughout their board engagement.
FOB is an extracurricular volunteer commitment; students do not receive academic credit for their participation. Through FOB, students learn the basics of nonprofit board governance and are equipped with the skills and competencies to be effective board members now and in the future.
Benefits
- Gain an in-depth, first-hand understanding of the role of business leaders on nonprofit boards.
- Learn from experienced mentors.
- Develop skills for effective and thoughtful community leadership in your career.
- Apply and refine business and communication skills in a real-world setting.
Eligibility
Students participating in FOB must:
- Be a First Year Daytime MBA student. (Note: because of the program timing, participation in FOB is only possible as a FY student)
- Be willing to commit 10-12 hours per month to the program, including time spent in training sessions, coaching, board meeting attendance and preparation, and work on assigned board project or committee.
- Attend the FOB mandatory events noted on the Timeline.
Application Process
MBA students must apply, interview and be selected to participate in FOB. This is usually a competitive process.
- An Info Session to learn more about FOB will be held during Fall 1.
- Following the Info Session, an online application will be available for about two weeks during Fall 1.
- Once they have applied, candidates will be invited to interview and will be able select to their preferred interview time.
- After all interviews conclude, the candidate pool is assessed by a matching committee that ultimately makes placement decisions based on the needs of the nonprofit organizations, as well as the preferences, skillsets and learning objectives of the candidates. Placement decisions will be announced by early Fall 2.
- Current students can access application details and timing on FuquaConnect.
