Helzberg School of Management Launches Magis Leaders Program

Rockhurst University’s Helzberg School of Management has launched its first-ever Magis Leaders Program – a new opportunity for accounting students transitioning from college life to life as a business professional. The year-long program is composed of six seminars and is under the direction of Dave Fowler, former managing partner at KPMG in Kansas City who is now an executive in residence and adjunct professor for the Helzberg School.

The seminars are focused on key areas of applied personal and professional development, with topics intended for students with diverse professional disciplines. The program takes its name from one of the Rockhurst core values, a Latin term magis meaning “better” or “more,” and is meant to encourage students to put in the extra effort required to excel.

“At Rockhurst, we understand that while textbook learning is an essential base of knowledge, the real world calls for more skills in understanding, interpreting and coping with situations of facts and circumstances,” said Cheryl McConnell, dean of the Helzberg School. “The program gives students the opportunity to assess and adjust their personal and professional skills, as well as enhance their capability to achieve superior levels of performance in business.”

Admission to the Magis Leaders Program is highly selective and by application only, determined by a committee of Helzberg School faculty members. It is open to Rockhurst seniors, high-potential juniors and select sophomores majoring in accounting, as well as accounting students who transfer to Rockhurst from Johnson County Community College with a GPA of 3.0 or above.

“We are looking for students who want to prepare themselves as future leaders,” said McConnell. “Completing this program would set them apart from other candidates when competing for internships and jobs.”

Seminars take place on Monday evenings.

Fowler, the lead professor and driving force behind the Magis Leaders program, retired from KPMG in 2013 after serving in his position since 2000. At KPMG, he specialized in business leader development and career management in addition to his primary role of managing the 300-person practice in Kansas City. Fowler was also a co-facilitator and leader in the firm’s Lead Partner Academy – a leadership development program for KPMG’s younger, high-performing partners. He brings extensive industry experience in accounting, client development and consulting to his role at Rockhurst.

Learn more or apply for the program here.