Fellowship Application

The John Wooden Leadership Fellowship Application

 

Each year, UCLA Anderson awards $35,000 fellowships to a select number of self-nominated students who embody Coach John Wooden's values-based leadership philosophy. Each applicant should possess an ability to manage change and have an unquenchable thirst for improvement, constant learning and innovation. Students interested in applying should be able to demonstrate transformative leadership styles that espouse ethics, team spirit, hard work and loyalty. Leadership can focus on variety of areas, including in the community, in the boardroom, in the public or private sector, in the entrepreneurial world, in sports, or in any other area.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

 
Applications:
Monday, March 25, 2024 - Friday, April 12, 2024
2024 Wooden Fellowship recipients will be notified in summer 2024

Students in the following programs and classes are eligible to apply for this fellowship:

• Full-time MBA Class of 2025
• EMBA Class of 2025
• FEMBA Classes of 2025 and 2026

• MSBA Class of 2024
• MFE Class of 2024
• UCLA-NUS EMBA Class of 2024

Applications are not accepted from students graduating in summer 2024.
Students must be in good academic standing.

Applications Include:

A 500-word essay
Share a story of how you impacted others and how that experience shaped you as a future global leader.
Your current resume.
A letter of recommendation from a non-Anderson person.

All applications will be reviewed by the Fellowship Review Committee. Wooden Fellowship Award recipients may be asked to attend and speak briefly at the awards dinner, and be featured in promotional photographs and videos.

Learn About the John Wooden Awards

 

Background

 
In 2008, UCLA Anderson established the John Wooden Global Leadership Program to build upon UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden’s legacy of leadership. We invite you to review his website and books at Coach's Bookstore.

The program consists of:

  • The John Wooden Global Leadership Award recognizes an exemplary leader who personifies Coach Wooden’s leadership philosophy. Past honorees have included Brian Cornell, CEO, Target; Ken Frazier, Executive Chairman of the Board and Former CEO, Merck; Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO & President, Ariel Investments; Reed Hastings, Founder & CEO, Netflix; Kevin Plank, Chairman & CEO, Under Armour; Ursula Burns, CEO, Xerox; Paul E. Jacobs, Executive Chairman, Qualcomm; Robert Iger, Chairman & CEO, Disney; Indra Nooyi, Chairman & CEO, PepsiCo; Peter Ueberroth, Managing Director, Contrarian Group; Frederick Smith, President & CEO, FedEx; Ken Chenault, Chairman & CEO, American Express; and Howard Schultz, Chairman, President & CEO, Starbucks.
  • The John Wooden Global Leadership Fellows receive a $35,000 fellowship. These fellowships are funded from the proceeds generated from the annual John Wooden Global Leadership Award Dinner.