Three Madison natives selected for exclusive student leadership program

Sophie Wright

AnDrew Carlson

By Drew Hartt Yarbrough

HUNTSVILLE – AnDrew Carlson, Nrup Patel and Sophie Wright, all natives of Madison, were selected for an exclusive leadership program at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Business.

The Emerging Business Leaders (EBL) program is a cohort-based leadership program for selected first-year UAH business students. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to work with other high-achieving business students to grow their leadership and professional networking skills, which will serve them well in their career development. Students chosen for the program also received a $500 scholarship.

Carlson, Patel and Wright all graduated from James Clemens High School in 2023 and are each currently pursuing a bachelor of business administration at UAH.

“The thing that I enjoy most about being a member of the Emerging Business Leaders program is the ability for me to meet new people and make meaningful connections with them. It helps me to be more involved and interactive with the community, and also helps me to just get to know people that I might not have crossed paths with otherwise,” says Wright.

“I have enjoyed the community like-minded individuals who are eager to join the business world and serve our communities. It is more than acquiring skills or networking with staff and peers; it’s about the authentic connections we are building, the collaborations that spring to life and the shared ambition to shape a better future together,” says Carlson.

“I really appreciate our monthly meetings where I am able to pick up new leadership knowledge and meet accomplished leaders from our community,” says Patel.

The program is led by the college’s assistant dean, Jennifer Pettitt, who emphasizes how impressive the EBL students are. “Their enthusiasm to lead and learn from industry leaders, as well as build community in the College of Business, is infectious,” says Pettitt. “Their college journey has just begun, but their impact is already on the horizon.”

The EBL program was strategically developed in an effort to engage business students early in their time at the UAH College of Business. The program fosters a community of high performing students and prepares them for leadership roles, not only at UAH but in their future professional careers.

“Our purpose is to grow the leaders of tomorrow who can help businesses and organizations navigate challenges and realize opportunities,” says UAH College of Business Dean, Dr. Jason Greene. “This program represents our investment in this important purpose.”

“We are excited to have each one of these students in our business program here at UAH and proud to see their commitment and enthusiasm to develop and grow as leaders,” says Greene.

Current high school seniors interested in applying to the 2024 – 2025 program can apply during the spring by visiting uah.edu/business/orgs/emerging-business-leaders. The selection process for the Emerging Business Leader program includes meeting a minimum high school GPA requirement, completing an online application and being selected by a panel of college faculty and staff.