2016 OS Newsletter | Page 3

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Mark Mizruchi Directing the Organizational Studies Program has to be the best job in the world. I have the opportunity to work with an outstanding, world-class faculty, a highly skilled and dedicated staff, a supportive College administration, a terrific group of alumni, and, most important, a collection of brilliant and dynamic students who continuously bring distinction to the program. All I have to do is enjoy the ride. This year was an especially eventful one for Organizational Studies. Approximately once every decade, departments on campus receive an external review, in which Mark Mizruchi leading scholars from other major universities spend two days on campus evaluating the program—providing suggestions, criticisms, and advice to both the department and the College. In March, OS experienced its first-ever external review, and the committee’s praise was effusive. They described our faculty as “perhaps the strongest liberal-arts organizational faculty in the nation,” our staff as “a dedicated core [that] combines a remarkable level of skill [and] commitment,” and our students as “an exceptionally talented and enthusiastic group, with a strong sense of community and a fierce loyalty to the program.” The report noted that, “viewed in its entirety, the OS Program is the strongest of its type in the nation.” We do face challenges, and the committee pulled no punches in listing them. These “are not the challenges of overcoming failure,” however, “but rather the much happier challenges of sustaining, building upon, and sharing success.” In the coming weeks and months we will be discussing the report, among ourselves and with the College administration, and we will emerge from these discussions with a plan for action. We will be sure to keep you informed as we develop this plan. In addition to the external review, we experienced our usual array of accomplishments. We will welcome another outstanding new cohort of students this fall, a select group of 54 chosen from more than 200 applicants. We continue to expand our new Alumni Shadowing Opportunity, generously supported by the Malkin Family Mentorship Fund. A total of 24 students have now participated in this program, in which they spend a day with one of our alumni at their place of employment. Nineteen alums have hosted our students, with five having opened their employment space up more than once. The response from the participants has been universally positive. One student was pleasantly surprised to learn “how much agency is both given to you and expected of you to advance your own individual career” within a consulting firm. Another noted that “this has provided me with a new network of people to look to for advice and support as I continue into my future