The Robert H. Smith School of Business proudly announces the successful completion of the Smith Leader Showcase for 2025, a premier leadership recognition initiative designed to spotlight the most exceptional emerging talent within the graduate community. Launched through the Office of Career Services (OCS), this showcase has rapidly become one of the school’s most selective and prestigious programs, setting a new benchmark for academic distinction, professionalism, and leadership potential.
Developed to celebrate students who demonstrate extraordinary promise in their fields, the Smith Leader Showcase reflects the School’s longstanding commitment to cultivating world-class leaders. Participation in this competition is highly competitive, with applicants evaluated not only on academic distinction but also on career clarity, demonstrated leadership, industry impact, and their capacity to elevate the Smith community.
A Rigorous Evaluation by a Distinguished Panel of Judges
What sets the Smith Leader Showcase apart is its exacting evaluation standard, overseen by a Distinguished Panel of Judges made up of senior career professionals and leadership experts within the Smith School ecosystem. Invitations to serve on this judging committee are extended only to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional expertise, deep professional insight, and a proven record of leadership development.
Distinguished Panel of Judges
- Dori Jamison, PHR, CCMC
Director of Graduate Career Coaching, Office of Career Services - Paul Schrantz
Account Executive, Office of Career Services - Seth Travers
Assistant Director, Graduate Programs - Henry Segun Uwabor
Leadership Fellow & Peer Advisor, Office of Career Services
Together, these judges uphold the highest standards of evaluation, ensuring that only the most accomplished and impactful candidates advance through the competition. Their collective expertise spans leadership development, organizational strategy, talent evaluation, and professional readiness, forming a committee recognized for its credibility and selectivity.
A Premier Platform for Leadership Recognition
The Smith Leader Showcase is designed to be more than a competition, it is a professional milestone. Students who participate gain high-visibility exposure across the School’s platforms, including social media, the Smith Careers Blog, and employer-facing communications.
The judging committee meticulously reviews each application through a multi-stage scoring framework that assesses:
- Professional Excellence
- Skills Alignment and Industry Readiness
- Leadership Trajectory
- Career Clarity and Vision
- Impactful Contributions to Prior Organizations
- Showcase Potential and Community Influence
This rigorous selection model underscores the School’s dedication to cultivating leaders with the competence, character, and commitment to excel in a global business environment.
A Defining Step in Smith’s Leadership Legacy
The launch of the Smith Leader Showcase marks a historic milestone in the evolution of leadership programming at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. It formalizes a tradition of recognizing outstanding student achievements and provides a structured avenue for celebrating exceptional talent.
“The Showcase demonstrates the caliber of leadership being developed within our programs,” said Dori Jamison, Director of Graduate Career Coaching. “This year’s judging committee set a new standard for excellence, ensuring that the leaders highlighted truly represent the best of the Smith community.”
Looking Ahead
Due to its overwhelming success, the Smith Leader Showcase will expand in 2026 to include both 1st- and 2nd-year MBA candidates, further elevating the level of competition and broadening the platform’s reach.
As the Showcase continues to grow, the Office of Career Services remains committed to empowering students, inspiring excellence, and strengthening the School’s global leadership reputation.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Office of Career Services
Robert H. Smith School of Business
University of Maryland
Email: smithocs_grad@umd.edu
