Thunderbird School of Global Management

Yesterday was the first day of Spring 2025 Foundations, where our newest T-birds took their first steps into the Thunderbird journey. This immersive experience is all about building connections, embracing global perspectives, and preparing for a transformative adventure ahead.

Welcome to the Thunderbird family—we’re excited to see the incredible impact you’ll make!

Jimmy Carter's leadership, compassion, and service as the 39th president of the United States paved the way for life-changing legislation like the Refugee Act of 1980.

For people like Thunderbird Associate Professor Sophal Ear, PhD, NACD.DC, a Cambodian-American who was just a baby when he and his family became refugees fleeing persecution, this act was a lifeline.

“For me, Carter’s legacy is deeply personal. Without his leadership, countless refugee families like mine might not have survived."

On the date of Carter’s funeral, Ear reflects on the legacy of a president who gave refugees – and refugee families like his – a hopeful future.

Read more:

'I cannot let your people die': Jimmy Carter's compassion saved refugees like me | Opinion Jimmy Carter's legacy is an urgent reminder: Refugees are not statistics. They are families like mine ‒ moms, dads, kids fleeing unimaginable horrors.

On March 25 of last year, Thunderbird came alive with the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of Asia during our traditional Regional Night celebration! The evening featured incredible performances from multiple countries, a stunning multicultural fashion show, and delicious food from four Asian cuisines.

Swipe through to relive the magic of this unforgettable night, and get ready for our next Regional Night celebration—stay tuned for what’s coming next!

Did you know? Thunderbird alumni live and work in over 140 countries around the world!
Our global network connects T-birds across industries, cultures, and continents. Drop your location in the comments—we love seeing where our community is making an impact!

Club Spotlight: Fashion Club at Thunderbird

The Fashion Club is redefining business casual at Thunderbird! With a focus on style, sustainability, and creativity, the club encourages students to explore unique and conscious fashion perspectives.

Through initiatives like monthly magazine themes, thrift store runs, and workshops on cultural prints, the Fashion Club celebrates “less is more” styling, vintage and thrifted fashion, and cultural fusion inspired by traditional techniques from around the world.

Whether you’re diving into sustainable practices or showcasing your personal flair, the Fashion Club is all about expressing individuality while making mindful choices.

What a year it’s been at Thunderbird! From unforgettable events and global connections to celebrating our incredible T-bird community, 2024 was filled with moments that truly embodied the Thunderbird spirit.

Thank you to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners for making this year one for the books. Here’s to an even brighter 2025!

On December 3, Thunderbird hosted Globalizing Arizona: Foreign Investment and Overseas Trade in the Surging Economy as part of the Leadership & Innovation Series.

The event brought together visionary leaders and experts to explore strategies for driving global investment and expanding trade opportunities, fueling Arizona’s thriving economy.

Thank you to all who joined us for this impactful discussion on shaping Arizona’s global future!

On November 22, Thunderbird hosted the Alumni Entrepreneur Showcase, bringing together faculty, staff, alumni, and students for an inspiring evening at The Pub.

Entrepreneurs from across the Thunderbird community, from graduates of 30 years ago to recent alumni, presented their innovative ventures, sparking lively discussions and valuable networking. The event wrapped up with a dynamic panel, where these trailblazers shared their startup journeys and how Thunderbird helped shape their success.

Learn more: thunderbird.asu.edu/thought-leadership/centers/a-masrin-center-for-global-entrepreneurship-and-family-business

Cheers to the close of another incredible year at Thunderbird! Our students are celebrating with their beautifully crafted yearbooks, a labor of love from the talented team at Das Tor. It’s a moment to reflect on the memories, connections, and achievements that define the Thunderbird experience.

Congratulations to all our students on finishing the semester strong, and a huge thank you to Das Tor for capturing the spirit of Thunderbird in another unforgettable edition.

As the year comes to a close, we’re filled with gratitude for our incredible global community. To our students, staff, alumni, faculty, partners, and supporters—thank you for making Thunderbird a truly special place.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a prosperous new year!

On Friday, December 6, Thunderbird was honored to participate in the 34th Ambassadors' Ball, an evening filled with pride, unity, and global vision. Hosted by the Diplomatic Corps of Arizona, this event brought together local and international leaders to strengthen Arizona’s global partnerships through dialogue on trade, education, and cultural exchange.

The evening began with Thunderbird’s international students leading a parade of flags, a powerful symbol of global unity. Special thanks to Dean Charla Griffy-Brown for hosting alumni and staff at our table, and to Spacebird Brett Mecum for his excellent introduction of keynote speaker Dr. S. "Pete" Worden.

A heartfelt thank you to the Honorable Al Molina, outgoing Chairman of the Diplomatic Corps, for his tireless leadership, and congratulations to the incoming Chairman, Honorable Steve Chukri.

Thunderbird remains committed to partnering with this elite organization to advance the global reach of the Phoenix Metropolitan area and foster international collaboration.

We are still dreaming of convocation and the awards ceremony! A special day celebrating our Fall 2024 grads we won't forget anytime soon.

To view the full recording of the Fall 2024 convocation ceremony, visit: https://video.ibm.com/recorded/134140673