2026-27 Schottland Scholar Applications are now open

Co-directors Dr. Jessica Madariaga, Mr. Scott Greene, and Dr. Esta Shah are inviting all exceptional School of Business juniors to consider applying for the Schottland Scholars Program.

The Schottland Scholar program is a leadership development program for seniors with majors in the School of Business. The program runs the length of their senior year and involves engaging with more than 40 business leaders a year through a variety of meetings, networking events, on-site corporate tours, and cross-country trips. During the program, students are provided formal leadership training and one-on-one executive mentorship to help students develop their own style of leadership to prepare for life after college.

The 2026-27 Schottland Scholar Application is now open. The application requires recommendations from faculty, and for applicants to meet with a current Scholar.

To Apply, go to: https://cofc-apply.smapply.io/prog/schottlandscholars.
The application deadline is Feb 13, 2026.

More about the program

Each year, our program evolves.  While the experiences for the past few classes of Scholars have been unique–by necessity–we strive to ensure our program offers robust and unique learning engagements with industry and community leaders from Charleston and around the world.  We learn resilience and impact leadership from the very best leaders in our community.  And we work relentlessly to practice what we learn.

Throughout the academic year, we visit and meet with executive leaders from Explore Charleston, Blackbaud, the Port of Charleston, the InterTech Group, The Urban Electric Co., and Santee Cooper just to name a few.  Our Tour of Organizations include two overnight trips including cities such as NYC, Nashville, Charlotte, and other major business hubs. Finally, our Scholars can learn from international and community-based non-profit leaders.

In all, we visit with executives, innovators and leaders from over 40 organizations: from private industry to non-profits, start-ups to corporate multinationals.  The program alumni have formed a tight-knit network focused on making the current students (and each other) more successful.

Good candidates are:

A high-achieving and/or highly engaged School of Business junior with:

• Demonstrated leadership characteristics
• Focused on professional development,
• Able to attend all events and activities,
• Characteristically kind, empathetic, and proactive, and
• Interested in growing personally and professionally in a team environment.

For more information, email Dr. Madariaga, and/or visit our website, Facebook and Instagram!