Everyone’s path to college is different, and we recognize some journeys have been more challenging than others. Business Connect at the Kelley School of Business is a support network for freshman students directly admitted to Kelley Indianapolis who’ve experienced educational disadvantages. Business Connect helps address your academic, personal, and professional growth needs as you earn your undergraduate degree.
You belong here
The benefits of Business Connect
When you join Business Connect, you will find a supportive community who will help you find your place and space at Kelley Indianapolis so you can prepare for your future with a sense of belonging on campus.
Students in Business Connect can:
- Visit and get to know campus before your freshman year.
- Be mentored by a current Kelley student.
- Meet and build a community with students who have similar life experiences and backgrounds.
- Tour local companies to learn more about potential careers.
- Gain valuable advice from business professionals.
- Access helpful year-round support from a variety of resources.
- Connect with Kelley faculty to learn important keys for success during your studies.
- Develop a better understanding of the business world that goes beyond the classroom.
Once you successfully complete Business Connect Bridge Orientation and the participation requirements, you’ll receive a $800 book scholarship, which covers textbooks and course materials from Follett Book Store.
Participating in Business Connect
Once you’ve accepted your invitation to Business Connect, here’s what’s required of your time:
- Complete the Business Connect Bridge Program Orientation. This is how you get to know other Business Connect students and what to expect from the program. This year, Bridge orientation will be Monday, August 19, through Friday, August 23, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Kelley School on the IU Indianapolis campus.
- Enroll the Business Connect section of the First Year Business Seminar (X-103) course. This class helps new students be successful at IU Indianapolis by developing the skills to succeed in class. It includes a Kelley faculty member, a student mentor, an academic advisor, and a librarian to provide you with as much academic support as possible.
- Join academic, professional development, and social events of the program. Get to know campus as well as other students while developing your professional skills through Business Connect events on and off campus.
- Serve as a mentor to future Business Connect freshmen students. By joining Business Connect, you have the opportunity to use the support you’ve received and pay it forward to the next student.
Liz Aurora Hernandez, BS’27 Representation really matters, and through Business Connect, you have junior and senior mentors who look like us and offer helpful advice. A lot of business involves getting to know people who can help you, and Business Connect teaches you how to do that early on.
How to apply
Business Connect can help you feel at home at the Kelley School and IU Indianapolis. To join, freshmen directly admitted to Kelley must apply to the Business Connect program.
Who can apply to Business Connect?
Direct Admit Freshmen students at Kelley Indianapolis who have experienced disadvantages that affected their educational opportunities are invited to apply for Business Connect.
Have questions?
If you’d like to learn more about Business Connect and whether it’s the right fit for your college experience, please reach out to Derrick Williams, the Director of Diversity Initiatives at Kelley Indianapolis.
