Future Leaders Initiative Overview | Paul Merage School of Business

Transforming Our Future Today

With a focus on inclusive excellence, our mission is to expand and diversify the pipeline of talented leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in Southern California by investing in today’s brilliant students.

The Merage School Future Leaders Initiative (FLI) guides, inspires, and empowers high school and community college students from Southern California’s underserved communities. A community outreach and certificate program consisting of remote and in person courses, FLI focuses on delivering a tailored business education, providing access to financial literacy courses, with the goal of encouraging university enrollment, increasing college readiness and preparing students for careers at the intersection of business, technology and entrepreneurship. The Future Leaders Initiative leverages UCI’s state-of-the-art educational resources, the expertise of globally renowned faculty and leading-edge curricula to offer hands-on mentorship and professional training in these crucial academic areas.

3000 Students and families impacted from underrepresented communities in 10 years
4 Most diverse Business School in the United States (Bloomberg Businessweek, 2022)
6x6 Six weeks, six transformative topics during an immersive summer certificate program

Student success is built through learning and mentorship that embraces diverse backgrounds. The Paul Merage School of Business focuses on this core theme: to provide opportunities that enhance the social and economic well-being of our students’ diverse communities. Ian O. Williamson, Dean

Program Objectives

Academic studies emphasize how low financial literacy threatens the future prosperity of many Americans – especially those from underserved communities. The Merage School underscores access to financial and business curriculum essential to long-term success for these students and their families. As a result, the Future Leaders Initiative will highlight financial literacy, and the technological business careers these families can harness to support their communities and propel the economy forward.

Integrated Learning Track

Your future is bright and you're ready for the road ahead. Our integrated learning track welcomes both high school and community college students. We'll be with you all the way leading up to college, through college and beyond.

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