Fleischer Scholars Program: Inspiring Tomorrow's Business Leaders

Photo Submitted

A group of Fleischer students visited the General Mills offices, located in Rogers, in July 2024.

This past July, the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the U of A welcomed several Fleischer Scholars Program participants to campus. The program, founded by Mort Fleischer, serves first-generation high school seniors interested in pursuing a business education. 

Over five days, students explored business career paths, enhanced their critical thinking and communication skills, gained knowledge about attending the U of A and networked with business leaders in the Northwest Arkansas community.

“The Fleischer Scholars Program is an incredible experience that allows first-generation college students to not only experience what it would look like to attend the University of Arkansas but also what it would look like to pursue a career path in business,” said Jessica Burkett, director of student engagement for Walton College.

Learning From Industry Giants

As part of the program, students met and visited leaders from major companies, including PepsiCo, General Mills, Slim Chickens and Walmart. Guest speakers shared insights into the operations and strategies, allowing students to better understand corporate culture and business practices.

One group visit was to ArcBest, where students observed various roles, from customer service and account development to transportation management and truck loading.  

“Throughout the week, students immersed themselves in real-world scenarios, such as developing a new product for General Mills and witnessing the journey of Walmart goods from distribution centers to store shelves,” Burkett said. “They shadowed various roles at ArcBest and delved into the stories behind beloved brands at PepsiCo, learning how they have become multi-billion-dollar companies.”

Students also visited Signature Bank of Arkansas to learn about its Banco Sí program, a curated banking experience where all staff is bilingual in Spanish and English. Gary Head, the founder of Signature Bank, shared his own story about being a first-generation college student at the U of A. For several years, Signature Bank has supported the Fleischer program with funds and laptops for students.

The students also worked daily with Jessica Andrews, associate director of the McMillon Innovation Studio. Together, they created a human-centered design project to address challenges in healthcare, education, economics and the environment in Northwest Arkansas.

Community Support

The U of A’s Fleischer program receives support from state and local banks, whose funding is crucial for developing scholarships. Through this generosity, Fleischer students can apply for renewable scholarships to support their academic and career goals.

“The program fosters genuine connections and helps spark new aspirations,” Burkett added. Seeing students gain confidence and envision their future in business is a powerful reminder of the program's impact.

The success of this year's Fleischer Scholars Program highlights the commitment of Mort Fleischer, the U of A and NWA businesses to support educational opportunities for first-generation students. As planning for next year's program begins, so does the dedication to continuing Fleischer’s “multiplier effect.” He believes that by investing in students, they will graduate and use their skills to benefit their communities, becoming tomorrow’s leaders and creating positive change. The approach works. According to the Fleischer Scholars website, 70 percent of program participants go on to attend college.

About the Sam M. Walton College of Business: Founded in 1926, the Sam M. Walton College of Business is AACSB-accredited and ranks among the top business schools in the nation. Walton College is the largest college at the University of Arkansas, serving nearly 9,000 undergraduate, master's and doctoral students. Walton College is recognized among U.S. News & World Report's 2023 "Best Business Schools," and its undergraduate supply chain management program was ranked No. 1 in North America by Gartner. The college's Master of Business Administration program was also ranked No. 11 for best return on investment by The Wall Street Journal. The Princeton Review ranked the college's graduate entrepreneurship program as one of the top in the country for the first time in the 2022-23 year. And in partnership with the Global Campus, the U of A's online business degree program ranked No. 12 nationally among 214 institutions by U.S. News in 2023.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.