
Zale Leadership Scholars
Named for the innovative merchant, M.B. Zale, the Zale Leadership Scholar program is the premier undergraduate professional development program for top students in retailing at Mays Business School.Quick Links
Why Apply?
Selection as an M.B. Zale Leadership Scholar is highly competitive. 10 to 15 students are chosen each academic year 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, mentorship, 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 in Texas to 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.
How to Apply
Applications are Closed
Applications are closed until Spring 2027 for the M.B. Zale Leadership Scholar program.
Apply NowNow Taking Applications
Students accepted into the program will be enrolled in a MKTG 299 course for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters (0 hours), and students will receive 100 points towards their Professional Distinction of Retailing.
Eligibility:
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- Any business major with interest in retailing careers
- May 2027 graduate or later
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Must be willing to commit to two semesters in the program. (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027).
Applications will require a current resume and a one-page essay on your career aspirations and how being an M.B. Zale Leadership Scholar will support those goals. A select group of applications will be selected to move to a final round of interviews with the program director.
2026-2027 Zale Scholars
- Rylie Alcorn, Senior, MKTG
- Caroline Beach, Senior, MKTG
- Adelaide Birdwell, Junior, FINC
- Cate Clark, Junior, MKTG
- Maggie Driver, Junior, MKTG
- Sydney Hay, Junior, BNHR & MKTG
- Heidi Hillman, Senior, MKTG
- Isabelle McDermott, Junior, BNHR & MKTG
- Megan Medlenka, Senior, MKTG
- Celine Nguyen, Senior, MKTG
- Joy Pritz, Junior, BNHR & MGMT
- Macie Riley, Junior, BNHR & MKTG
- Valerie Rodriguez, Junior, BNHR & SCMT
- Caroline Rutledge, Junior, MKTG
- Priscilla Well, Senior, MGMT
- Cate Wright, Junior, MKTG
- Trevor von Wupperfeld, Junior, BNHR & SCMT
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