Leadership isn’t just about climbing the ladder faster or learning to sound authoritative in meetings. It’s about becoming someone people actually want to follow. Someone with both the skills to execute and the character to earn trust.
That’s the thinking behind the Hildebrand Leadership Fellows program at Texas McCombs, a leadership development experience available to all MBA students across Full-Time, Working Professional, and Executive MBA formats.
Beyond the Buzzwords
Most MBA programs will teach you strategy frameworks and financial modeling. McCombs does that too. But the Hildebrand Leadership Fellows program asks a deeper question: What kind of leader do you want to become?
The program is built around two pillars that matter in the real world: character and credibility. Character is about who you are when no one’s watching. Your integrity, self-awareness, and values. Credibility is about how you show up and deliver. Your communication, collaboration, and ability to drive results.
“I joined the Leadership Fellows Program because I wanted to be intentional about my growth as a leader,” says Ruby Grace Reyes, EMBA ’26. “The program goes beyond academics and gives you a framework to build both character and credibility as a leader.”
How It Works
The program isn’t another box to check on your MBA to-do list. It’s a personalized journey that weaves through your time at McCombs, combining hands-on experiences with structured reflection.
You’ll engage in industry-focused workshops, one-on-one leadership coaching, real-world consulting projects, and global experiences. But here’s what sets it apart: every activity comes with built-in reflection time.
Herman Morris, DMBA ‘26, calls this “the most valuable aspect” of his experience. “It’s easy to just jump from one challenge to the next, but this program made me pause and think about what I was learning and how I was showing up as a leader.”
For Lawrence Sanchez, Evening MBA ’25, who came to McCombs from a military background, the coaching and reflection were game changers. “In the military, feedback is direct and constant—you always know where you stand,” he explains. “The program gave me the structure and space to seek out feedback, process it, and apply it. Through coaching and reflection, I learned how to identify blind spots and understand how my communication style impacted others.”
That reflective practice leads to real change. Herman says the program has helped him “balance confidence with curiosity” and become “more intentional about asking questions and creating space for my team.”
Lawrence saw similar shifts in his own approach. “I already had a strong foundation of discipline and structure from my military background, but now I’m more intentional about listening first. My approach to team communication has evolved from being more directive to being more collaborative.”
Real Growth and Results
As a Hildebrand Leadership Fellow, you select from more than 100 opportunities to satisfy program requirements. After engaging in your selected activity, you spend time purposefully reflecting on what you learned and how you plan to incorporate your new knowledge. As you continue to make progress in the program, you will receive incremental rewards to inspire further leadership development. You will also receive micro-credentials that document your leadership growth. After completing all skills in the program and crafting a personal leadership plan, you will receive an honor cord and special recognition at commencement ceremonies.
Ruby Grace recently put her learning into practice during a cross-functional project. “I shifted from simply driving agendas to creating space for dialogue,” she explains. “I used active listening and radical candor to bring alignment more quickly. The result was stronger collaboration and faster progress because people felt heard and engaged.”
For Herman, the impact shows up in his day-to-day work. “I feel more confident and clearer about the kind of leader I want to be. That shows up in how I mentor my team, guide clients, and contribute at the firm.”
Since graduating, Lawrence has been asked to take on more strategic roles that require leadership across teams. But the biggest change? “I approach leadership now with more patience and empathy. I still value execution, but I’ve learned that getting the best out of people often comes from understanding them first.”
Why This Matters for You
Whether you’re considering McCombs or already here, the Hildebrand Leadership Fellows program offers something rare: a structured way to grow as a leader while you’re building your business expertise.
Made possible by a $20 million naming gift through the Hildebrand MBA Excellence Fund, this program represents McCombs’ commitment to developing leaders who can handle complexity with purpose and authenticity.
Lawrence especially recommends the program for people transitioning from structured environments. “The Hildebrand Leadership Fellows Program gives you a chance to rethink leadership in a civilian or corporate context—and it does so in a way that’s hands-on, practical, and personal. It’s not just lectures—it’s coaching, reflection, and real-world application.”
Ruby sums it up well: “The program challenges you to grow in ways that are both practical and personal. It gives you tools you can apply immediately, but more importantly, it helps you define the kind of leader you want to be long after the EMBA.”
Leadership is something you’re always working on. The Hildebrand Leadership Fellows program gives you the framework, experiences, and reflection time to do that work intentionally.
Because the best leaders aren’t just competent. They’re credible. And that makes all the difference.
Ready to become a Hildebrand Leadership Fellow? When you join Texas McCombs, this program is waiting for you. Learn more about the Hildebrand MBA and take the first step toward becoming the leader you want to be.
