From July 20–29, LMU welcomed 20 high school students from South Korea for the fourth annual D.K. Kim Foundation Global Leadership Program (GLP). This partnership between LMU College of Business Administration and the D.K. Kim Foundation offers students an immersive college experience designed to spark curiosity, foster global connections, and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
Led by Nola Wanta, senior director of business development and strategy at the College of Business Administration, the program brought together LMU faculty, staff, and community partners – including the LMU Center for Urban Resilience and Ballona Discovery Park. For the first time, GLP also collaborated with the LMU School of Education and the Upward Bound program, creating opportunities for meaningful cross-cultural exchange with local high school students.
“This year’s program was all about collaboration and community engagement,” said Wanta. “Each year, it reminds us of the power of cross-cultural learning, shared stories, and the friendships that form when we open ourselves to new perspectives.”
Throughout their 10-day stay, students lived in dorms on campus and attended lectures by LMU business faculty David Choi, Yongsun Paik, Greg Lontok, Jim Wagner, and Eric Strauss, gaining insights into entrepreneurship, global business, technology and AI, marketing, and urban ecology. Dean Dayle Smith delivered an inspiring talk on leadership and welcomed the students to her home in Playa del Rey for a sunset dinner.
This year’s itinerary blended academic enrichment with real-world exploration. Students visited local businesses, including LA84 Foundation, King’s Hawaiian, and BMW Designworks, as well as iconic Los Angeles landmarks like the Santa Monica Pier, SoFi Stadium, and Rodeo Drive. They also cheered on the Los Angeles Dodgers, attended the Rams Training Camp hosted on LMU’s campus, and participated in campus tours, library workshops, a Career and Professional Development session, and even a spirited karaoke night.
Throughout the week, students worked in teams to design start-up ventures addressing one of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing on their new knowledge in leadership, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural communication, the students pitched bold ideas aimed at solving real-world global challenges.
The program concluded with an awards ceremony and a fireside chat with D.K. Kim, moderated by Dean Smith. Mr. Kim shared timeless lessons on humility, hard work, the relentless pursuit of goals, authenticity, and the importance of giving back – values that have shaped his life and continue to inspire the next generation of leaders.
“Welcoming these remarkable students to our campus reminds us that the future of business and society depends on building bridges across cultures,” said Dean Smith. “Programs like this not only prepare students for success but also inspire us all to create a more just and sustainable world together.”
LMU extends its deepest gratitude to Mr. Kim for his vision and unwavering support of this program, which continues to expand opportunities for young scholars and strengthen global understanding.
