Mission

The BCLF program recognizes the overarching aspiration of the Darla Moore School of Business and its students to be business leaders who are also valued contributors engaged in meaningful, lifelong community service. The BCLF program assumes that businesses — and students of business — have a social responsibility to work collaboratively to improve their communities. The BCLF also assumes that this work should be a lifelong commitment that is fully integrated into both the ambitions of business students as well as the missions of the businesses they represent.

Program Background

The BCLF program is a comprehensive three-year experience designed to develop undergraduate business majors into leaders who are knowledgeable about and committed to the needs of their communities. This program provides select students with the unique opportunity to engage in substantial ways with business and social service leaders who understand the value of the interconnectedness of business and community service. The primary goal of this program is for each fellow to develop tangible and intangible leadership skills that can be used to make positive impacts in the Carolina community and beyond.

BCLF students work directly with executives from BB&T, the United Way and other business and community partners to engage in extensive, meaningful service. In addition to hands-on volunteerism, successful BCLF students will have the opportunity to:

• Network with and be mentored by business and community leaders
• Complete the BB&T Emerging Community Leadership Development course
• Complete the United Way Board Member Development course
• Earn credit towards UofSC's Graduation with Leadership Distinction
  
  

Selection of BCLF Students

Undergraduate fellows are selected through a competitive application process. 

Application requirements:

• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service activities during freshman year

Although the selection committee will look at a student's academic record, the BCLF program will give priority to business students who have demonstrated a commitment and passion for community service and volunteerism prior to college and in their first year at UofSC.

Information sessions about the program and how to apply are held each spring. Date, time and location information will be advertised on the Moore School's digital signage.  Join the BCLF freshmen email distribution list. 

Typical Three-Year Timeline for BCLF Cohort

Sophomore Year

• Sophomore fellows will interview with partner agencies that best suit their talents and interests
• Based on the feedback from both the agencies and the fellows, each fellow will be assigned one community agency to partner with for their fellowship
• Fellow will serve a minimum of four hours per week at their agency
• By the end of sophomore year, each fellow will have a project planned to improve an aspect of their partner agency
• During sophomore or junior year, fellows will have the opportunity to attend the Emerging Community Leadership Development certification course sponsored by BB&T

Junior Year

• Junior fellows will continue to serve with their partner agency as well as implement their planned project
• This project will be documented using UofSC Connect guidelines to contribute towards their ePortfolio for Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) in the Community Service pathway 
• Fellows who have not completed the Emerging Community Leadership Development certification course sponsored by BB&T will have the opportunity to attend during their junior year
• Eligible students will have an opportunity to enroll in BADM 499 for internship and course credit

Senior Year

• Senior fellows will serve as a mentor for subsequent BCLF students
• An exclusive Complete Board Member Development course sponsored by United Way is offered to our cohorts during their senior year
• Give a presentation of program experience that counts as the required presentation for GLD

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Watts.