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Management and Leadership Program for Mackenzie Presbyterian University
Founded in 1870 by American Presbyterian missionary George Whitehill Chamberlain and his wife and originally named the American School, Mackenzie Presbyterian University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Brazil. The university is regarded both nationally and internationally as a center of excellence having graduated numerous important figures in Brazilian history. In addition to its campus in São Paulo, Mackenzie operates campuses in the cities of Barueri, Brasília, Campinas, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro for postgraduate and continuing education.
Mackenzie São Paulo and the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business have created the Management and Leadership Program (MLP) as a way for Mackenzie's engineering and business students to enhance their college experience both academically and culturally. The two-week program, held in Pittsburgh, featured classes taught by Pitt Business faculty members, including professors Audrey Murrell and Nandu Nagarajan, and site visits to various companies in the Pittsburgh area.
The opportunity for Brazilian undergraduate students to travel abroad, study under a world-class faculty, and learn the operations of American companies gives them a distinct competitive edge in the employment market and in an age when Brazilian companies are increasingly requiring English competency and graduate schools and employers worldwide seek candidates with international experience.
In it's inaugural year, 11 students participated in the MLP. They took classes on topics ranging from strategic planning and development to business ethics, and visited companies such as PPG Industries and American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. According to MLP participant Igor Chappaz, "The MLP Program was one of the best professional experiences that I have ever had. I had the opportunity to take lessons with renowned teachers with extensive professional experience."
When asked about his experiences with the MLP program, Alessandro Pombo said "Pitt is the kind of experience that no one should miss, I mean, the whole city treats you well, the learning experience there was unique, and the [Pitt student] ambassadors were great. I could definitely have stayed there longer."
