The Business Leads Fellowship Program network now includes more than 400 highly trained, highly engaged education and workforce champions from all 50 states. We know that now more than ever, business leaders need not only a high-level understanding of education and workforce policies, challenges, and potential solutions, but also deep dives into specific pertinent topics. With more attention paid to early childhood education, K-12 education, and workforce development today than has been for years, the U.S. Chamber Foundation and its partners across the country need the ability to respond to hot topics critical to the future of business and the economy.
To address this need, the U.S. Chamber Foundation launched Master Classes. These Master Classes, open to graduates of the Business Leads Fellowship Program, dive much deeper into pertinent education and workforce topics than Business Leads’ 101-level classes. Each Master Class is facilitated by someone who has expert knowledge in the area and will typically be a singular event, meant to share a large amount of knowledge at one time. We also poll the network for their input and interest in potential Master Class topics.
Through these Master Classes, chamber leaders delve deeper on the issues that are most important to their community and learn more from credible experts on how to engage. Additionally, Business Leads Fellows collaborate, share best practices, and grow their networks beyond their original cohort. After participating in a Master Class, leaders will have a deep understanding of a topic in the education and workforce pipeline, know best practices and case studies related to the topic, and have a game plan about how community partners can support the change they want to see regarding the topic.
Potential topics for Master Classes include:
- Addressing teacher recruitment and retention challenges
- Education choice policies
- Early literacy and math initiatives
- Strategies (and topics) for engaging with your school board
Master Class details:
- Master Classes are two-day workshops hosted by the U.S. Chamber Foundation focused on a particular topic in education and workforce.
- Master Classes are taught by expert faculty and provide deep knowledge about an issue, including best practices, case studies, and avenues for engagement.
- Master Class cohorts are built through invitations and an application process.
- Master Class cohorts are surveyed after course completion to measure the impact of the program and gather stories of their success.
- Participants are expected to be present at all in-person sessions of a Master Class and will be asked to complete a form affirming that they will participate in the entire Master Class and impact surveys.
- Master Classes are free of charge to participants, just like the Business Leads Fellowship Program. The U.S. Chamber Foundation covers travel and lodging costs, while participants will be asked to cover other related expenses, such as ground transportation and outside meals.
