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Thunderbird, Phoenix bring immersive, technology experience to Super Bowl fans Thunderbird, in collaboration with the city of Phoenix, presented "Phoenix: The Global City of the Future," an immersive technology-driven experience held Feb. 9–11. The series of events featured extended reality (XR) assets, blending history and technology as participants interacted with digital content overlaid with the physical world, placing Phoenix in a new dimension. The Metaverse Lab at Thunderbird was also open, allowing attendees to turn themselves into digital avatars through volumetric capture technology. |
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Cheers to one year of the Pub at Thunderbird's new Global Headquarters In April, Thunderbird celebrated the one-year anniversary of the grand opening of the Pub at Thunderbird during the Grand Opening and 75th Global Reunion. In just a short time, the Pub at Thunderbird has once again solidified its place as the heart of Thunderbird. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the downtown Phoenix community flock to the Pub to enjoy its global menu, diverse diners, and beautiful views. |
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Thunderbird welcomes all to Phoenix Excerpt from Metropolis Magazine In the heart of downtown Phoenix— the fastest growing city in the nation—a new 110,000-square-foot F. Francis and Dionne Najafi Thunderbird Global Headquarters for the Thunderbird School of Global Management offers a new model for uniting the global and the local in a high-tech incubator for business and leadership education. Co-designed by Phoenix-based Jones Studio and higher education veterans Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners, the new Thunderbird School prioritizes human connection alongside advanced technology across five floors of classrooms, digital learning spaces, and multi-use meeting areas. “Our school was founded on the notion that borders frequented by trade and diplomacy seldom need soldiers. Ours is much more than a business school—it’s a vision about transforming the world towards peace and prosperity,” explains Dr. Sanjeev Khagram, Director General and Dean of Thunderbird. In 2014, Thunderbird became associated with Arizona State University, and in 2018 the school relocated to ASU’s downtown Phoenix campus. “When we began designing our global headquarters, we knew Thunderbird 4.0 had to be the best physical space for global leadership management, but also be the most advanced digitally and technologically,” says Khagram. |
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Thunderbird alumni support student success with new scholarship funds Student support is always a key focus for Thunderbird, and this year many alumni made incredible contributions to help foster the next generation of global leaders and managers. Below are four alumni who created impactful scholarship funds to help future T-birds soar. |
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Karen J. Simon '83 created the most generous scholarship in support of Thunderbird women to date: the Karen J. Simon ‘83 Scholarship Fund in Support of Global Women Leaders. She then generously created the Schools’ first scholarship exclusively for Semester at Sea attendance with the Karen J. Simon Undergraduate Semester at Sea Scholarship. Ms. Simon’s exemplary generosity is reflective of the T-bird community’s passion, dedication to making meaningful change across the globe, and commitment to leading by example. “Global connectivity and cultural understanding is more important than ever, and technological innovations will continue to blur international boundaries such that strong global leaders are needed now more than ever. I am excited about the vision for our next generation.” |
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Thomas H. Persons '81 created the first scholarship in the School’s history exclusively for Native American students while also expanding the impact of Thunderbird’s SHARE Fellowship program. SHARE Fellows, who hail from countries in emerging markets, receive full scholarships, personalized mentoring, and much more. Mr. Persons has provided support for the addition of a SHARE Fellow from a Native American tribe. “As a global School, we are focused on international cultures in nations across the globe, but my belief is we need to support our Sovereign Nation Brothers and Sisters, who for so long have been overlooked. Only through understanding can we affect change.” |
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Dennis King '81 created the Dennis and Anita King Thunderbird Summer Educational Opportunities Scholarship to ensure Thunderbird students have the opportunity to gain meaningful experiences abroad that will enhance their global career. As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Mr. King is keenly aware of the impact of immersive cultural experiences, and generously funded this scholarship to provide those experiences to future generations. |
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Michael Nissman '70 created the Ruth and Morris Nissman Memorial Scholarship in memory of his late parents. Mr. Nissman’s goal in creating this scholarship was providing vital aid where it is needed most, ensuring struggling students have the support they need to flourish while studying to become future global managers. “When I can help somebody, that gives me the greatest joy. That’s what life is all about. We put our arms around one another, and we get through this thing together. And if somebody falls or trips, you don’t continue without helping that person. You stop, you pick them up, and then you continue.” |
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If you would like to join Karen, Thomas, Dennis, and Michael in their support of Thunderbird students, make a gift of support today. |
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Help the next generation of T-birds soar with an end of fiscal year gift Thunderbird’s fiscal year end is fast approaching and wraps up at the end of June. Now is the perfect time to help us prepare for the next incoming class and another inspirational academic year by making your gift of support! |
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T-bird alumnus speaks about startup, equity in space at White House roundtable Spacebirds in the White House! Earlier this month, DJ Catlin '22 spoke about the the space economy and his startup, The Equity Space Alliance, during a White House roundtable of young small business owners, led by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Founded by Catlin and fellow grad of Thunderbird’s Executive Master of Global Management with a concentration in Space Leadership, Business, and Policy Janeya Griffin, the Equity Space Alliance works to advocate, educate, and facilitate equitable ownership in the space industry. “There is a critical need for economic stability in historically excluded communities. The space economy, projected to surpass one trillion dollars by 2030, can be the launchpad that changes the trajectory in these economically distressed communities.” Thank you, DJ, for representing the best Thunderbird has to offer – and for acknowledging our space program! View the roundtable through the link below. |
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T-bird alumnae create impact in Africa Two Thunderbird alumnae are taking flight as trailblazers in the African sports industry and using their respective platforms to cultivate positive change in their communities. Gbemi Abudu ’09, entrepreneur, business leader, luxury marketing expert and social activist, Thunderbird alumna, and Thunderbird Global Alumni Network Advisory Councilwoman, was named Vice President and Country Head for NBA Nigeria in 2021 where she is responsible for the league’s basketball and business development initiatives―including grassroots programming for youth, elite player development, current and prospective marketing, media and merchandise partners and social responsibility efforts that improve the lives of youth and families across Nigeria. Recently, Abudu was named one of the 25 most influential Nigerian women in sports business. Clarisse Machanguana ’22 is Mozambique’s most successful professional basketball player whose achievements reach beyond her 22-year career, including the Women’s National Basketball Association in the United States. For her dedication and social activism for the development and empowerment of the children and youth of Mozambique through sport, education, and health, she was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2016 as well as 13th Point of Light for Queen Elizabeth’s Commonwealth countries. Machanguana is the Founder and President of the Clarisse Machanguana Foundation, a Maputo-based nonprofit organization focused on empowering Mozambican youth through its three primary pillars of health, education, and sport. |
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