M.B. Zale Leadership Scholars

Named for the innovative merchant, M.B. Zale, the Zale Leadership Scholar program is the leading undergraduate professional development program for top students in retailing at Mays Business School.

Recruiter talking to students.

Now Taking Applications

Become a member of the 2024-2025 M.B. Zale Leadership Scholar Program. There are no membership fees to become a Zale Scholar.
Eligibility:
  1. Any Business Major with an interest in retailing
  2. May 2025 graduate or later
  3. Overall GPR of 3.0 or higher
  4. Must be willing to commit to two semesters in the program (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025)
Application Instructions:
Submit the application online including the upload of two documents:
  1. Current Resume
  2. One-page essay on your Career Aspirations and how being an M.B. Zale Leadership Scholar supports those goals

How To Apply

Applications Are Open

Fall 2024 | Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 5pm

Interviews will take place following the application process for those selected to interview.

Any application received after the deadline will not be considered.

Apply Today

Selection as an M.B. Zale Leadership Scholar is highly competitive. Five to ten students are chosen each semester based on their academic achievement, leadership potential, and above all, their commitment to pursue a retailing career.

Through hands-on learning experiences, such as luncheons with executives, travel to retail stores and HQ offices, networking opportunities, mentoring opportunities and reflective writing, students will:

  • Build greater confidence in professional communication and personal branding
  • Gain first-hand industry knowledge by engaging with visiting Executive Professors
  • Practice and receive education in business etiquette
  • Interact with CEO level retailers when they are executive professors for a day and/or during the  M.B. Zale Visionary Merchant Lecture Series
  • Travel to New York City and other Metro cities and participate in appointments with multiple retail headquarters, buying offices and flagship stores
  • Receive an opportunity to interview with Signet Jewelers – owner and operator of Zales who has rotational talent development programs in merchandising, finance, strategy, and supply chain.

*Students will receive 100 points per semester towards their professional distinction for the two semesters they are M.B. Zale Leadership Scholars. Learn more about Professional Distinction in Retailing points.

2023-2024 Zale Scholars

Brooke Bingham, Senior, MKTG

Mackenzie Davis, Senior, MKTG

Ally DeBorde, Sophomore, ACCT/PPA

Kylie Galvan, Sophomore, MKTG

Heather Havlak, Senior, BUSN H & MKTG

Emily Hunter, Senior, MKTG

Rodrigo Jimenez-Moya, Junior, MGMT

Grace Kauderer, Senior, MKTG

Joy Mireles, Junior, MKTG

Madelyn Birnbaum, Sophomore, BUSN H & MKTG

Alexa Toribio, Senior, MKTG

Emma Trueba, Senior, BUSN H & MGMT

Bella Hanson, Junior, MKTG

Caylee Garza, Sophomore, BUSN H & ACCT