About the Accelerate Leadership Center
The Accelerate Leadership Center (ALC) supports Tepper School master's students in their leadership development journey. Whether an emerging or experienced leader, we offer programming catered to your needs.
OUR MISSION
Equip students with the behaviors and skills necessary to be confident, self-aware leaders. Through personalized coaching, assessments, workshop experiences, and programs, we help students build the mindsets required to collaborate, create impact, and lead in an increasingly complex world.
OUR VISION
To empower Tepper School master's students to build their leadership capabilities to leverage their skills and strengths to add a human-driven approach to analytics and creative problem solving.
Coaching Opportunities
Coaching is the foundation of our leadership development work and is available to Tepper School Master’s students, across every program and modality. There are currently two main types of coaching.
Leadership Coaches are full time in-house professionals with experience in all levels of leadership. Communication Coaches are select 2nd Year MBA students who offer a peer-to-peer perspective.
Leadership Coaching
These one-on-one leadership coaching appointments help students build self-awareness and confidence while strengthening essential leadership capabilities. Our team of experienced full time coaches support development in areas including, but not limited to, decision making, emotional intelligence, conflict navigation, and organizational and team dynamics. Our coaches meet students where they are, tailoring their approach based on each student's unique needs.
Communication Coaching
Peer-to-peer Communication Coaching helps to extend in-class learning to out-of-class application. Coaches tailor each session to address topics such as development of presentations, practice for interviews and networking, suggestions for communication strategies, and more. Students consistently rate Communication Coaching as one of the top offerings of the Tepper School master's experience.
I faced several interviews in quick succession and was unsuccessful in all of them. After multiple sessions with Communication Coaches, I felt well-prepared for my next opportunity. As a result, I successfully interviewed with Amazon and secured an internship there. The Communication Coaching at the ALC played a key role in this achievement.
Vinicius Avelar
MBA 2024
Helping students get on nonprofit boards
The Tepper School’s Accelerate Leadership Center is currently partnering with the Golub Capital Board Fellows Network. The program places selected students as non-voting members on nonprofit boards for an 18-month fellowship.
How We Support different Degree Types
The ALC partners with program directors and faculty to meet evolving student needs.
Master of Business Administration
Leadership Graduation Requirements:
- EQ-i 2.0 Emotional Quotient Inventory Assessment
- Group debrief with an EQ-i 2.0 certified coach
- Participation in three sessions within the EQ Workshop Series
Goal: Develop self-awareness and interpersonal effectiveness through structured, required engagement.
Master of Science in Business Analytics & Master of Science in Management
Embedded in Course & Optional Leadership Touch points
- CliftonStrengths Assessment
- Group CliftonStrengths Debrief debrief
- Workshops on a variety of leadership development topics
- Topical and timely optional sessions which focus on concepts in communication, presentation, and professional dynamics
Goal: Develop self-awareness and gain the skills and knowledge necessary to show up with professionalism in the workplace
Signature MBA Programs
Our programs offer MBA students a specialized approach to leadership development that blends self-discovery, real-world experience, and practical skill-building. Designed to help MBA students grow as confident, thoughtful leaders, these programs emphasize learning by doing and applying leadership skills in meaningful contexts.
Exploring the pillars of Experience, Empowerment, and Exaptation, programs support leadership growth at every stage of the MBA journey. Through hands-on opportunities and reflective learning, students strengthen their ability to create impact, influence others, and navigate complex challenges with purpose.
Experience: Golub Capital Board Fellows
The Golub Capital Board Fellows Program is a selective application based program that connects Tepper School MBA students with boards of nonprofit organizations. Students serve as non-voting members and lead strategic projects that address organizational needs. Through this hands-on governance experience and connection to a national Board Fellows network, students strengthen their leadership skills while applying their business expertise in service of nonprofit missions. Interested students should review the Board Fellows site for additional information.
Empowerment: Leadership Development Certification
Open to all Tepper School MBA (Full Time or Online Hybrid) students, the Leadership Development Certification (LDC) is designed to unlock what makes them Uniquely Powerful and equips participants with practical leadership tools they can use immediately. Centered on strengths, presence, and influence, the program empowers students to understand their leadership capabilities, build confidence, and lead with authenticity.
Exaptation: Zenith
Created with the idea that leveraging the interdisciplinary strengths of Carnegie Mellon and pairing them with executive level leadership touchpoints could act as a novel catalyst to develop students’ leadership capabilities, Zenith aims to prepare students with mindsets necessary to lead humans in an uncertain future.