Syllabus in 60: Engaging with Boards for Effective Corporate Governance

MGMT 6100: Engaging with Boards for Effective Corporate Governance

Being a leader means having to navigate challenges while effectively collaborating with management and board members. In this new, graduate-level course, students explore these intricate dynamics, study the role of good governance, and gain insights that will help them prepare for a board role early in their careers. 

The course includes in-class exercises, role-plays, and case discussions from iconic Minnesota firms. Students also engage in conversations with some of the Twin Cities’ most successful CEOs and board directors. This interactive course marks Professor and Dean Emerita Sri Zaheer’s return to the classroom, alongside Carlson School Executive Leadership Fellow Jeff Ettinger, who previously served as the interim University of Minnesota president and Hormel CEO.
 

5 Takeaways

1. The course is taught in a compressed format across three Fridays to allow for deep discussions with business leaders.
    
2. Students learn how to prepare for future board roles by setting personal board goals and enhancing their LinkedIn profiles.
    
3. Students discover the wide variety of boards to engage with—whether it’s in a corporate, family-owned organization, start-up, nonprofit, or community setting.
    
4. The course focuses on empowerment. “The big message is: Get involved. So many organizations could use the help of people who understand how to make a business run. With their skills, business school students are perfectly positioned to provide this guidance,” says Zaheer.
    
5. It also gives a whole new meaning to the term “board-certified”: “This course provides students a chance to position themselves for success, whether they’re looking to join a board or work more effectively with one,” says Ettinger.