Neeley Complete encourages students to curate tailored educational and developmental experiences through engagement, reflective practices and creative expression, aiming to cultivate well-rounded graduates in the field of business.
February 27, 2024
By Kelly Kjetsaa
Explore. Engage. Reflect. These are the tenets that Neeley Complete was founded on with the purpose of providing students an experiential learning opportunity that can be specific to their interests and passions.
Neeley Complete was developed in collaboration with student leaders during the 2022-2023 academic year in response to a call to expand the Neeley School of Business Pathways of Distinction. It spotlights the multitude of developmental and career preparation avenues offered in Neeley. Encompassing both co- and extra-curricular activities, the program offers undergraduate students with recognition for these accomplishments upon graduation and on their professional resumes.
The first graduates to walk across the stage to accept their TCU diploma with the Neeley Complete distinction did so in December 2022. Some of our recent alumni were founding members of the program, like Moss Mansell, who graduated in December 2023 with a business degree focus of entrepreneurship and innovation.
“Neeley Complete recognizes students who intentionally go beyond the academic requirements of their curriculum, encouraging curiosity and lifelong learning habits that will serve students well after they graduate,” said Mansell, who majored in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Neeley Complete participants select and complete a minimum of four out of six engagement areas, earning recognition and graduating with distinction. These areas of engagement include competitions and national conferences, employer-based work, intercultural education, leadership, research and service.
Mansell went the extra mile before graduating and completed all six engagement areas.
The program goal is to guarantee every undergraduate business student has access to the opportunities and resources necessary to cultivate a portfolio of impactful experiences within and outside the TCU Neeley community prior to graduating and stepping into their professional careers. "Ideally, every business school student will graduate with Neeley Complete distinction, because it's an effective way to identify the best fit for their unique personal competitive advantage," said Hettie Richardson, the Neeley School of Business interim dean.
The program facilitates the exploration of internships, job postings, research opportunities with faculty, on-campus events led by student organizations, intercultural events, study abroad, and additional resources.
Nicole Bush, associate director at Neeley’s Alcon Career Center and program coordinator, explained that Neeley Complete emerged from a student think tank and started with a small pilot. It was initiated by students who were not active in Neeley’s other cohort programs and sought a platform to showcase their work and contributions.
“The program gives students a holistic experience and allows them to show all of the things they’ve accomplished inside and outside of the classroom,” Bush said. “This program’s ability to display all of the things that our students have done is incredible.”
Through Neeley Complete, undergraduate students engage in experiential learning ventures that extend beyond traditional classroom settings. These activities enable students to evolve into versatile professionals, poised to drive change in the dynamic landscape of today’s business world. Following each activity, students write a brief reflection and showcase a creative component at the cording ceremony, where they receive a gold cord to be worn at graduation.
The program facilitates deep reflection, empowering students to articulate their experiences before graduating. This cultivates a stronger self-awareness that serves them well as they transition into the workforce as business professionals, Bush said.
“The students aren’t just doing the engagement areas and checking off the boxes,” said Bush. “They are reflecting on the things they’ve done, and that reflection is key to make them more well-rounded in the business world.”
Neeley Complete is open to all business sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students interested in participating are invited to fill out an intent to participate form. The form may be completed at any time during a student’s tenure in Neeley, but no later than four weeks prior to their graduation date.
Neeley School of Business Pathways of Distinction include:
- BNSF Neeley Leadership Program
- Consulting Career Preparation Course
- Departmental Honors
- Educational Investment Fund
- Fintech Certificate
- JPMorgan Chase Inclusive Excellence Mentoring Program
- Neeley Complete
- Neeley Fellows
- Neeley Mentorship Program
- Neeley Premium Credentials
- Sales Center
- Transaction and Investment Professionals Board