Community

Choosing the right MBA is a complex decisions that incorporates elements like culture, location, size, business relationships, student community, supports for family, and much more. While Foster is known for outstanding career outcomes, we are also known for the tight-knit collaborative culture where students make each other better. Outside of the classroom, passions and interests unite as students enjoy the region’s active lifestyle and program activities, like the Challenge for Charity, or the many MBA special interest clubs.

At Foster, my classmates represented an extraordinary range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. I truly believe that this diversity of experiences represents the most precious opportunity to learn.

— Ammar Ejaz, MBA Alumnus Class of 2021

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Foster

The Foster School is committed to building a diverse community of students, faculty and staff. Find more resources and information about DEI at Foster here.

The University of Washington Foster School of Business has been recognized by AACSB International-the world’s largest business education alliance-for producing 2022’s “Innovations That Inspire.”Read More

AACSB Recognizes Foster School’s Nationwide Ascend Network Among “Innovations That Inspire”

Clubs and Associations

The MBA Association (MBAA) at the Foster School of Business offers a wide variety of opportunities to engage, from Diversity clubs to Professional Associations and Extracurricular activities. As a member, you will have a chance to take part in all of the student-run events and activities, and make use of the countless resources that are made available by the MBAA.

Club Stories

In this Foster MBA Association feature, the ex presidents of Foster Creative Zharen Gonzales and shared details about the club, their involvement and tips for current and future leadershipRead More

UW Foster MBA Club Spotlight: Foster Creative

Foster MBA students explore and engage with the cross-border and cross-cultural business issues that are increasingly relevant in today’s worldRead More

UW Foster MBA Club Spotlight: Global Business Association

Finance Society brings together Foster MBA students for networking, recruiting events, and industry engagementRead More

UW Foster MBA Club Spotlight: Finance Society

Foster Faculty

Our world-class faculty draw upon their cutting-edge research and current practices to create a relevant, engaging learning experience. When combined with on-campus visits from the impact of our study tours, company treks, and applied strategy projects, Foster students accelerate their learning by gaining real-world experience.

Foster’s faculty is one of the biggest strengths of the MBA program. Classroom dynamics exceeded my expectations: our professors are great at balancing lectures with experiential learning. Furthermore, they’re always available and willing to help in any way they can. They’re the best example of Foster’s intimate and collaborative culture. We’re lucky to have such a top-quality faculty.

— Milagros Peirano Valderrama | MBA Alumna | Class of 2021

Our students get to know Foster’s MBA faculty

Get to know Foster’s Professor of Accounting and Marguerite Reimers Endowed Faculty Fellow Elizabeth Blankespoor , who teaches the core accounting course for first year MBA students.Read More

UW Foster Faculty Spotlight: Elizabeth Blankespoor

Get to know Foster’s Professor of Management and Michael G. Foster Endowed Fellow, who teaches the core MBA course Ethical Leadership.Read More

UW Foster Faculty Spotlight: Ryan Fehr

Foster School of Business faculty David Tan was recently honored by Poets & Quants as one of the best 40 under 40 professors. In this in depth feature, David shares about his background, pedagogy, and advice for current and incoming MBA students.Read More

UW Foster Faculty Spotlight: David Tan

Connections to the Seattle business community

Business education at Foster leverages all Seattle has to offer, including deep relationships with iconic businesses and a vibrant entrepreneurial community. At Foster, you are exposed to the latest thinking and current real business challenges from leaders at powerhouse Seattle-based brands such as Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Nordstrom, PACCAR, Boeing, Costco, T-Mobile, Tableau, Zillow and Expedia. Regardless of the company size or sector, you can find Foster MBA graduates at the center of the action. The connection between Foster and the Seattle business community creates fertile ground for students to find their own path. Check out Foster MBA hiring firms in the Northwest and beyond.

The Seattle Connection

2,000 business leaders engaged with students on campus last year

Latasha Gillespie, Amazon’s Head of Global Diversity & Inclusion in Ethical Leadership class

No matter your path or career goals, you’ll be immersed in understanding how technology supports and transforms business. If you’d like to hear firsthand about Foster’s connections to Seattle business, you can reach out to a Foster alum or current student.

Frank Discussions

At the intersection of business and education, Frank Discussions is a series of brief executive interviews with the leaders defining innovation and industry today and tomorrow. Foster’s Dean, Frank Hodge, talks with leaders like former CEO and current Board Chair of Alaska Airlines, the President at Patagonia, a former Silicon Valley technology CEO, and others. These chats looks beyond the business decisions making headlines to shed light on how and why great leaders do what they do.

Frank Discussions is back—with a twist. Frank had the opportunity to sit down with Catie Griggs, former President of Business Operations for the Seattle Mariners and current President of Business Operations for the Baltimore Orioles, in front of a live audience of MBA students on January 10, 2023.Read More

Frank Discussions with Catie Griggs

Student Life at Foster

When I think about the culture of Foster, two words come to mind: gratitude and grit. Foster takes pride in its collaborative environment, and I think an underlying contributor to this collaborative spirit is that students here are grateful – grateful to be part of this program, grateful for the diverse value their peers bring to the table, and grateful for the community that we share.

— Courtney Wenneborg | MBA Alumna Class of 2018

MBA Huddle — a social club of the Foster MBA (student) Association — has a focus on team building through sportsRead More

UW Foster MBA Club Spotlight: MBA Huddle

The Foster MBA Global Business Association and International Affairs hosted the first Latin American Carnival last week for all Full-time and Evening MBA studentsRead More

Foster Hosts Latin Carnival

The Level up! student club connects Foster MBA students with Seattle’s wide network of gaming business talentRead More

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