250+
students in the RBC
Building a legacy of leaders.
The Residential Business Community (RBC) is preparing tomorrow’s leaders to successfully oversee a diverse and multicultural world by promoting, enhancing and supporting academic, personal and professional growth of students.
Living. Learning. Leading.
The RBC experience prepares students to be business leaders and encourages their own professional development throughout their college experience. This community living experience assists students in acquiring the relational skills necessary to succeed and lead in today’s global society. And through a seamless environment of academic and experiential learning activities, students develop business leadership competencies in a collaborative, inclusive, multicultural environment.
Students who participate in the RBC experience three significant benefits:
- Support as they transition to college life and the MSU campus
- Growth in cultural intelligence and leadership competency skills
- A network of corporate recruiters and MSU alumni built throughout one’s college career
$400K+
in scholarships awarded annually
#1
U.S. Public Learning Community, as part of MSU Learning Communities’ No. 4 overall ranking
U.S. News & World Report
Core Values
Integrity
Students will strive to develop into leaders who are ethical, fair and committed to doing the right thing.
Effective Communication
Students will integrate compelling, well-rounded communication as the foundation to generate action, create understanding and build relationships.
Leadership Excellence
Students will be inspired to take action and create positive, sustainable, transformational changes.
Inclusiveness
Students will develop into business leaders who navigate global, cross-cultural and diverse teams.
Personal and Social Responsibility
Students will be encouraged to build individual strength, take responsibility for the integrity and quality of their work, and engage in impactful exercises that shape responsible global citizens.
Making a Difference
Students will be challenged to think about the legacy they will leave in their professional journeys.
The RBC Advantage
RBC students consistently perform better in the classroom than non-RBC business students. Students participating in the Residential Business Community will be enrolled in special reserved sections of high-demand freshman classes such as writing and math. They will also be enrolled each semester in a one-credit seminar designed specifically to meet the transition-to-MSU needs of first-year business students.
RBC Services
Free tutorial services occur in the River Trail Engagement Center (located in McDonel Hall) for math, writing, economics, accounting, statistics, computer science, etc. Tutoring is also available in multiple core business courses through the Broad College’s Multicultural Business Programs Tutorial Program.
Students will have access to an academic advisor for one-on-one sessions. Students can gain valuable advice on the courses they are taking and how to plan their college careers.
Students also have access to special sections of writing, math, CSE 102 and statistics prerequisite courses.
The Leadership Legacy Series encourages participation in leadership workshops, Broad College events, student involvement experiences, corporate networking and community engagement sessions that focus on these learning goals:
- Global/Multicultural Awareness
- Career/Academic Success
- Leadership/Professional Development
- Community/Civic Engagement
Fun, organized networking events are planned throughout the year including the following:
- Fall welcome event
- Community meals with faculty and staff
- Corporate networking
- Dinner and movie nights
- End-of-the-year banquet
- Field trips
- Company site visits
- Peer-to-peer coaching/mentoring
- Community service/civic engagement opportunities
Living: The Residential Community
McDonel Hall is conveniently located just a short walk away from the Business College Complex. First-year RBC students live on the first, second, or third floors of East McDonel. If an RBC student does not request a RBC roommate, the housing office will assign the RBC student an RBC roommate.
Upper-class (second year and beyond) Broad College students can live throughout McDonel Hall and may choose their roommate; third floor West has been designated an RBC returning student floor community. The fourth floor West is an Honors College floor option that is open to first-year or upper-class students.
McDonel Hall is a suite-style hall that houses the River Trail Neighborhood Engagement Center, which provides:
- Writing Center services
- Olin Health Center location
- Sparty’s Refresh
- Academic advising
- Intercultural engagement
- High-tech classrooms
- Study lounges
Since I walked into McDonel Hall on the first day of my freshman year, the RBC has impacted my experience at MSU in an amazing way. The resources available, corporate site visits, other RBC students and employees are invaluable to a student who is trying to build their resume and start their career when they graduate.
RBC Alumnus
Learning: Inside the Classroom
Students participating in the RBC will be enrolled in special reserved sections of high-demand freshman classes such as writing and mathematics. They are also required to register for one-credit seminar courses designed to enhance students’ academic, career and professional development experiences as future business leaders.
Seminar Courses
BUS 101 Freshman Seminar for College of Business Students
1st year fall semester
Reserved sections of BUS 101 in the fall semester are required for students participating in the RBC community. This 14-week seminar will assist in students’ academic development and allow them to develop relationships with the Eli Broad College of Business faculty, staff and upperclassmen early in their academic career and become aware of resources that will help them succeed at MSU. The course also empowers students to set academic, career and leadership goals.
View in Course CatalogBUS 100 Career Seminar for Business
1st year spring semester
This 10-week seminar is required for RBC students. It’s designed to assist students in the exploration of professional fields in business, as well as to introduce students to the career management center and other available career services. It provides opportunities to meet professionals in the field, practice communication and presentation skills, and interact with peers in small group teams.
View in Course CatalogBUS 201: Sophomore Seminar for Business
2nd year fall or spring semester
This course is an advanced version of the BUS 101 and 102 introductory courses. Topics that will be addressed include: multicultural competence, professional decision making and identity development, career strategies, working in a diverse team and developing professional mentor relationships.
View in Course CatalogStudent Coordinators, Tutors & RBC Course Assistants
Elana Rondeau
- Student Coordinator
TBD
- Tutor
TBD
- Tutor
TBD
- Tutor
The RBC gave us a platform ... If it wasn't for the RBC serving as a catalyst for my growth, I'm not sure where I would be, or what I would be doing ... The RBC just pushes you to grow.
RBC Alumnus
B.A. Accounting ’18
Leadership: Outside the Classroom
The RBC experience builds a legacy of leaders by providing a variety of experiential learning opportunities and fostering professional competency skills desired by recruiters. Emerging leader retreats and spring corporate trips are held each year with activities such as:
- Building a global mindset
- Peer mentoring
- Company site visits
- Social impact
- Alumni networking
Corporate Partners
The RBC partners with leading companies for our comprehensive “Building Your Leadership Legacy” series. The program includes workshops, campus events, corporate networking, speaker series and community engagement. This partnership develops professional skills desired by corporate recruiters.
Below are just some of the companies that have partnered with the RBC.
Mentorship Network
The RBC Mentorship Network promotes the student experience through experiential learning, professional skills development, leadership exploration and connections with upperclassmen, alumni and corporate partners. The network promotes relationships that foster a culture of success and professional leadership development.
The program consists of two levels:
Peer2Peer Mentor, which pairs first-year students with upperclassmen who have been in RBC. Students can ask questions about anything from where the best cafeteria on campus is to advice on how to succeed in classes and obtain internships.
The RBC Alumni Network, the second level of the program, focuses more on preparation for post-graduation by matching junior and senior mentees with RBC alumni. Students can ask questions about career paths and how to enhance their classroom lessons in the professional world.
Upcoming RBC Events
Freshman year, RBC provided me with a community of people who were taking the same classes and going through similar experiences as me, which helped me make some of my closest friends. RBC gave me the tools I needed in order to be successful in my first year at Michigan State by providing me with opportunities to grow academically and professionally.
RBC Alumnus
BA Marketing
Admissions
Who Can Apply?
- High school seniors who have been admitted to Michigan State University…
- Who have declared business-preference, hospitality business major or other majors with and interest in the entrepreneurship…
- And have an interest in accounting, finance, hospitality business, human resources management, management, marketing or supply chain management majors and/or an entrepreneurship minor
Approximately 250 freshmen are admitted to the RBC each fall, representing about 10 percent of those coming to MSU and expressing interest in a business major.
Current MSU business students who have participated in the program previously may continue being involved and live in or away from McDonel Hall.
Application Process
The application consists of a short application form. You should be prepared to answer short essay questions and to include your leadership, community service, scholarship and other extracurricular activities, as well as any work experience that you may have on the application.
Students may apply to the Residential Business Community through the online application. If you prefer a paper application, please call 517-884-4085. The application period is January 15th through April 15 each year. Late submissions are accepted and considered if space is available.
Admissions FAQ
- How can I learn more about RBC?
We are offering virtual and in person tours : https://forms.gle/cHd3bmAsUaysSWsw7
We will be hosting these sessions virtually through Zoom on Wednesdays at 7pm. To access Zoom you can go to this website (https://zoom.us/ent?zcid=2582) and create an account or download the app. Also in-person sessions will be held on Fridays at 1pm.
- How do I activate my MSU NetID and do I need to commit to MSU prior to activating it?
Students do not need to be committed to coming to MSU, however students must have your netID activated in order to apply. More information on how to activate your NetID can be found on the MSU Admissions website.
- What are the requirements for applying to the RBC?
Students must be admitted to Michigan State University for Fall, 2023 and they must have their NetID information (see above). Students must complete the required application.
- Where can I find the RBC application?
Visit our online application.
- I do not see a “Save/Submit” button on the RBC application. How can I be sure my application was submitted?
When you receive the message, “We thank you for your time spent taking this survey. Your responses have been recorded,” you have successfully submitted your application.
- When is the due date for applications?
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning January 25, 2023. The application will close when all spaces have been awarded or on April 15, 2024 @ 11:59 PM if spaces remain available. LATE APPLICATIONS MAY BE CONSIDERED IF SPACE IS AVAILABLE.
- When are applications going to be reviewed?
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning January 25, 2023. Students will receive an email to their MSU email accounts with their decision regardless. Admitted students must accept the invitation by the posted deadline within his/her/their personal email message.
- Can I participate in the RBC if I am a part of the Honors College and want to live on a designated honors floor?
Yes! There is an honors floor in McDonel Hall.
- May I participate in the RBC if I am a part of another learning-living community or must live in a different dormitory for a different reason (ex: varsity sport)?
If you are successfully admitted to the RBC program, our advisors will work to find a solution. There could potentially be exceptions for students if all other program requirements are fulfilled.
- May I request a roommate that is not a part of the Residential Business Community?
RBC students are required to live with RBC roommates. Having said that, non-business students who wish to pursue the entrepreneurship minor, business minor, or any business-minded major at MSU may apply to the RBC. If an RBC student does not request a RBC roommate, the housing office will assign RBC students an RBC roommate.
- How do I apply to the Broad College of Business if I am not admitted or opt not to participate in the RBC program?
Students will apply to the Broad College via the regular admissions process the semester they reach 28 credits and fulfill the designated requirements. At MSU New Student Orientation, an academic advisor will work with students to design a personalize schedule so they can become eligible to apply to the Broad College of Business. More details on the regular Broad admissions process can be found on the Broad College Undergraduate Admissions page.
- What are the requirements for participating in the RBC program if I am accepted?
Students will be required to fulfill academic milestones and the RBC leadership certificate requirements that will be outlined in their RBC admissions email when they are admitted to the RBC successfully.
- What are the benefits of participating in the RBC?
The RBC is designed as a living-learning community that hosts a variety of opportunities and events for its students. Students in the program will live in East McDonel hall their first year and have access to a variety of corporate networking events, business seminars, small reserved classroom sections, designated academic advisors, and professional development events.
- What does is mean to be considered a Direct Admit to the Broad College?
Admittance to RBC is completely independent from and does not include a direct admit commitment from Broad College. More information regarding Broad College Direct Admission may be found at, https://broad.msu.edu/undergraduate/admissions/direct/
- If I do not get admitted to the Residential Business Community, does that ruin my chances of being admitted to the Broad College via the regular admissions process?
No, not getting admitted to the RBC does not ruin your chances of being admitted to the Broad College later on. Unfortunately, we only have a limited number of seats in the program and are not able to take all applicants that apply.
- Do I have to be a direct admit to the Broad College to apply for admission to the RBC?
No. Incoming students who are business preference or have an interest in Entrepreneurship who have been admitted to MSU may apply for admission to the RBC.
Join our community.
Apply today to become a part of the Residential Business Community at MSU.
Our Leadership Team
Rachel Paris (Start date January 6, 2025)
- Coordinator of First Year Engagement
Residential Business Community
Find me on LinkedIn!
Learn about the RBC Experience
Residential Business Community information sessions give an overview of the program, as well as a tour of McDonel Hall and the River Trail Neighborhood Engagement Center.
Contact the RBC
If you have more questions about the RBC experience and how it can help you succeed at MSU and as a future business professional, please contact us.
- Residential Business Community
- 817 E Shaw Lane
- McDonel Hall Rm C101 - A
- East Lansing, MI 48825
- rbc@broad.msu.edu
- Phone: (517) 884-4085
