Thunderbird at ASU welcomes largest domestic cohort in recent history

"Welcome home, T-birds."

This message displayed across the Haas Digital Global Forum immediately set the tone as Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University’s newest students arrived for Foundations, Thunderbird’s new student orientation, from Aug. 17–19. 

Fall 2026 marks another year of incredible growth for Thunderbird, ushering in over 1,600 students learning and leading around the world across the gamut of the school’s in-person, online and partnership programs. 

For Foundations week, Master of Global Management (MGM) students from 31 countries — including Taiwan, Kenya and Japan — arrived for the first time at the Global Headquarters to join in their orientation program. Of this group, 49% of incoming MGM students hail from the United States — the largest share of domestic students Thunderbird has enrolled since joining ASU nearly 11 years ago. 

Moreover, this class is home to the largest percentage of Arizona residents in this recent history — demonstrating that more than ever, Arizonans are calling Thunderbird their home for global business. 

"Every incoming class brings a new energy to campus, and this year is no exception,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird. 

“Our newest students have arrived ready to learn, lead and build the kind of global community that will define their careers. In a moment when innovation and AI are reshaping global business faster than ever, Thunderbird prepares them to truly lead this change," Griffy-Brown added.

On the undergraduate side, 70% of Bachelor of Global Management (BGM) and Bachelor of Science in International Trade (BSIT) students are domestic, and nearly half (44%) call Arizona home. 

Part of this growth also emerges through the Accelerated Master of Global Management, which allows ASU undergraduate students to complete an additional master’s degree in just one extra year. Of this year’s accelerated MGM candidates, 42% came through one of Thunderbird’s own undergraduate programs. 

“I am excited to take advantage of doing both my undergraduate and graduate degrees together,” Merissa Rosman Lai Binti Mikail Lai of Malaysia said of embarking on the Accelerated MGM this semester. “I really enjoy learning about different perspectives from all over the world, so Thunderbird is the perfect place for me.”

Fall 2026 Foundations included a variety of activities, networking opportunities and onboarding exercises to help the newest group of T-birds connect with classmates from around the world on day one. Sessions included Learning with a Global Digital Mindset, alumni speakers and the historic Flag Ceremony, where students presented the flags of their home countries. 

Teams also competed in the annual Thunder Olympics on Aug. 18, with team Jaguars taking home this year’s trophy. The next day, students all mingled at The Pub at Thunderbird for the very first pub night of the semester, which officially reopened for the year on Aug. 17.

Students like Caleb Lieberman, an accelerated MGM student from Illinois, are eager to tackle new opportunities and develop the business skills needed to upscale their careers.

“During my undergraduate degree at ASU, I had many opportunities to travel and learn firsthand about some complex business challenges around the world that I knew I wanted to be a part of. I also met a lot of Thunderbird alumni along the way, and knew I wanted a similar education that they had,” he said.

Jisselle Blanco, a BGM student from Alaska, looks forward to the global community she'll build during her time at Thunderbird.

“I chose Thunderbird because of the vast alumni and all of the great professors and people that we have. It gives you a lot of ways to grow professionally and personally, so that’s why I chose to come to Thunderbird,” Blanco said. “I’m most excited about continuing to learn and meeting a lot of people from all over the world. I want to continue to further myself.”

This semester also marks new milestones within the school. Five students join as the second cohort of Founders’ Vision Award Fellows, recipients of a full-tuition scholarship established by alumna Karen J. Simon (’83) to support high-achieving American students in building a global mindset, business acumen and cultural intelligence.

In addition, the Doctor of Professional Practice (DPP) in Global Leadership and Management program welcomed its fourth cohort, continuing to prepare seasoned professionals for global leadership roles since the program's launch in fall 2023.

Carlos Velasco, an incoming DPP student hailing from Ecuador, is already familiar with the Thunderbird community, having completed his Executive Master of Global Management last month. 

"My experience at Thunderbird has been truly transformational. What makes Thunderbird different is that it develops you not only technically and intellectually, but also as a leader. Along the way, you build meaningful relationships with your cohort and become part of a powerful global alumni community,” he said. 

Now, he prepares for a new Thunderbird experience in the pursuit of his doctorate. 

“I am deeply grateful and excited to begin the DPP program, continue growing as a scholar and entrepreneur, and use applied research to create meaningful and lasting global impact,” he added. 

Looking ahead to the academic year that awaits, as Griffy-Brown affirmed, there is no better opportunity to be a Thunderbird student.

“To our newest students: Welcome home. The work you'll do here will shape not just your career, but the kind of leader you become. We're honored to be part of that journey,” Griffy-Brown said.