Extraordinary Individuals. Exceptional Achievements.

Fairfield Dolan’s 30 Under 30 program recognizes exceptional undergraduate and graduate business students for their academic and extracurricular commitments and achievements. Students are recognized for demonstrating success across the following four categories: academics, professional development, community engagement and social responsibility, and “whole person” achievements that reflect the University’s Jesuit tradition of educating the body, mind, and spirit. The Fairfield Dolan 30 Under 30 students will be celebrated and recognized at the annual Dolan Awards Ceremony in April.

Application & Celebration

Eligibility to Apply

Students must be a fully admitted undergraduate or graduate student in the Dolan School of Business and meet the following criteria:

  • Be a junior or senior undergraduate business major, or a graduate business student
  • Have an overall GPA of 3.0 when applying
  • Be no older than 29 years of age when applying

Possess demonstrated excellence across the following four categories:

Academics

Professional Development

Community Engagement and Social Responsibility

“Whole Person” Achievements

How to Apply

Students may self-nominate or be nominated by a faculty member. All students, regardless of how they are nominated, will be responsible for completing the application form.

Apply Now

Applications for the 2024 - 25 academic year are open from September 30, 2024 – December 2, 2024.


Application Criteria

As part of the application process students will submit an essay, their resume, and one reference letter. Reference letters will be accepted from an academic or professional contact and are limited to one reference letter per person (additional reference letters will not be accepted).

In addition, reference letters from family members will not be accepted. Students may submit additional documentation to support their application. Learn more about the essay criteria.

Recognition

Honorees will be notified by February 15, 2025 and will be recognized at the annual Fairfield Dolan Awards Ceremony in April. Honorees will also be introduced to business leaders at the Dolan Advisors Summit meeting the following fall, an event attended by Dolan Board and Advisory Council members. A roster of honorees will be included in the Dolan Report and honorees may also be highlighted in press releases, social media posts, featured on fairfield.edu, and highlighted in other forms of promotion for Fairfield Dolan.

Frequently Asked Questions

The essay should explain why the applicant is worthy of this exceptional distinction along the four categories of academics, professional achievements, community engagement and social responsibility, and “whole-person” achievements. Applicants may wish to summarize their background in terms of the following Fairfield Dolan principles:

  • D - Dedication to learning
  • O - Outreach to the community
  • L - Leadership
  • A - Achievement in professional work
  • N - Nurturing of and caring for others

The essay should be one to three pages in length, double-spaced, Times New Roman font, with one-inch margins.

This is a one-time recognition per person.