University at Buffalo School of Management

14 Buffalo Business | BUSINESS ANALYTICS SOCIAL IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT BUSINESS OF CLIMATE CHANGE INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LEADERSHIP A er spending time in classrooms with learners from all three levels of education in Ghana: elementary, middle/high school and college, Ajaylah Humphrey, MBA/MSW '24, came away with one feeling — that nothing is impossible. "The children were so excited to learn from us and they taught me many things as well," she says. "We are all lifetime learners and their imaginations reminded me that nothing is truly impossible. I believe this is the mindset behind social innovation and leadership." The interdisciplinary UB students and faculty who visited Ghana in January experienced transformational moments like this through- out their entire journey. The trip was part of the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Africa program led by the UB School of Management's Global Programs Office. For Humphrey, the trip was a perfect opportunity to combine what she's learned as a UB graduate student in both management and social work. "Traveling to new places and immersing yourself in another culture is crucial to being a well-rounded person, as well as a profes- sional out in the working world today," she says. "Everyone is living a different life, and in one way or another, we all come together." The Ghana trip has become a staple of the School of Management's wide range of global programs. Throughout their visit, School of Management students and faculty collaborate with their peers from other UB schools, such as pharmacy, medicine, architecture, engineer- ing, and arts and sciences. And for the first time, the Africa program partnered with UB's Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) to give even more students access to this life-changing experience. CSTEP empowers talented undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in a wide range of fields. The main portion of the trip features two distinct components. On the business side, students meet local leaders, visit companies and deepen their knowledge of social innovation and economic develop- ment by completing hands-on projects. Meanwhile, through medical outreach, students in pharmacy, medicine and public health work together to provide high-quality, compassionate and culturally sensitive health care to patients. Students from both groups experience the history and culture of Ghana firsthand by visiting cultural sites and participating in language, dance, culinary and historical activities. On trip to Ghana, School of Management students and faculty have life-changing experiences and engage with local leaders and partners Global transformation BY K E V I N M A N N E

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