At Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, leadership is more than a classroom concept—it’s a practice built through experience, reflection, and community. This fall, the Full-Time MBA program launched the Goizueta Plus (G+) Certificate of Advanced Leadership, a revitalized co-curricular initiative designed to help students strengthen their leadership identity and apply Goizueta’s core values of integrity, courage, accountability, community, and rigor to real-world challenges.
“The Goizueta Plus Certificate of Advanced Leadership brings back a beloved Goizueta tradition while aligning it with modern leadership demands,” says Brian Mitchell, associate dean for Full-Time MBA programs. “It provides students with the structure, support, and space to deepen their personal leadership journey while building community across cohorts.”
Leadership in Action
Available to Full-Time MBA students in both the One-Year and Two-Year MBA programs, Goizueta Plus combines structured reflection with hands-on leadership experiences. At its heart is the Dean’s Leadership Reading Series, where students engage deeply with influential works on leadership, ethics, and purpose.
The current reading series includes:
- – Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, which explores the power of courage and vulnerability in leading with authenticity.
- – Wait, What? by James E. Ryan, a concise reflection on curiosity and clarity as drivers of effective communication and leadership.
- – How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen, which challenges leaders to define success through purpose and values rather than metrics alone.
In addition to the reading series, students take on applied leadership roles within the Goizueta community and beyond. Goizueta Plus participants serve as Keystone Day of Service site leaders, coordinating teams of peers in partnership with local nonprofits such as the Atlanta Children’s Shelter, Atlanta Community Food Bank, First Step Staffing, and the Atlanta BeltLine. These experiences allow students to strengthen their leadership skills while making a tangible impact in the Atlanta community.
Students will also take on leadership roles withing Goizueta’s Global Experiential Modules (GEMs)—international learning experiences that challenge students to navigate cultural complexity, engage with global business leaders, and reflect on their own leadership style in diverse contexts.
“These experiences allow students to put theory into practice,” says Mitchell. “They’re learning to inspire, organize, and deliver in real-world settings where leadership truly matters.”
A Unified Approach for One-Year and Two-Year MBA Students
While the program’s philosophy and core components remain consistent, the accelerated One-Year MBA version is tailored to fit its unique academic schedule.
For One-Year MBA students, the Dean’s Leadership Reading Series includes two of the cornerstone texts—”Dare to Lead” and “How Will You Measure Your Life?”—assigned during onboarding and winter break, when students can focus on reflection outside of class time. The capstone discussion of Christensen’s book brings together both One-Year and Two-Year MBA cohorts, offering a shared opportunity for connection and insight.
“The key to making this program successful for both cohorts is meeting students where they are,” Mitchell explains. “Our One-Year students move through the program quickly, but they bring tremendous focus and momentum. We’ve designed Goizueta Plus to fit that rhythm while ensuring they still experience the same depth of learning and community engagement.”
A Lasting Legacy of Leadership
Through its balance of reflection and action, Goizueta Plus exemplifies Goizueta’s holistic approach to leadership education—one that extends beyond the classroom to create enduring impact in organizations and communities alike.
“Goizueta Plus is about becoming the kind of leader who drives results and also builds people and purpose,” Mitchell says. “It’s a reminder that leadership is something you practice every day—with integrity, with curiosity, and with heart.”
Students who complete the program earn the coveted Goizueta Plus Certificate of Advanced Leadership, recognized during the school’s graduation ceremony as a mark of distinction and commitment to leadership excellence.Learn how Goizueta develops principled leaders who make a lasting impact—Explore our MBA programs.
