Finance Major Joins 180 Students Nationwide for Fully Funded Summer Venture in Management Program

Alabama A&M University rising senior Jude Robinson is proving that determination, preparation and opportunity can open doors at one of the nation's most prestigious business schools.

The Memphis, Tennessee, native was selected to participate in the 2026 Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP) at Harvard Business School, a fully funded educational experience designed to increase access to business education for high-achieving college students who are making an impact on their campuses and in their communities. Robinson, a finance major in Alabama A&M’s College of Business and Public Affairs, was one of 180 students selected from colleges and universities across the country. He was the only Alabama A&M student chosen for this year’s cohort.

The four-day Summer Venture in Management Program is a highly competitive Harvard Business School initiative that introduces high-achieving college students to graduate business education through the school's case method, leadership development and networking with faculty, alumni and peers.

Robinson applied to the highly competitive program in March and learned of his acceptance on April 28.

“I was very excited and ready to meet everyone,” he said.

During the program, Robinson lived in Morris Hall on Harvard’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where participants engaged in classroom discussions, collaborative projects and networking opportunities with students, faculty and business leaders from around the world.

For Robinson, the experience extended well beyond the classroom.

He said one of the program’s greatest benefits was building relationships with students from a wide range of backgrounds while strengthening connections among fellow HBCU participants.

“I have met friends that I will have for life,” said Robinson. “All of the HBCU students hung out regularly, and all of the minority students made sure to uplift one another while also connecting with all of the students throughout the program.”

The experience also provided valuable insight into the Harvard Business School admissions process and strengthened Robinson’s confidence as he prepares for graduate school.

“We now know how admissions into Harvard Business School works, and we get a leg up for having this experience on our resumes,” he said.

Robinson has already built an impressive professional résumé through internships with Boeing Global Services in Seattle and JPMorgan Chase in Atlanta, where he served as both a Commercial and Investment Bank Fellow and Commercial and Investment Bank intern.

He credits Alabama A&M with helping prepare him for opportunities like Harvard’s Summer Venture in Management Program.

“I chose AAMU because of the University’s history and because people from my church whom I highly respect encouraged me to visit,” said Robinson. “After I toured campus, I knew it was the right place for me.”

Beyond the classroom, Robinson has been actively involved in campus leadership. Since arriving at Alabama A&M in 2023, he has been a member and on the executive board of: the National Association of Black Accountants, the Honors Program and, since 2025, the School of Business and Public Affairs Student Advisory Council.

He said the University’s welcoming atmosphere and supportive faculty have played an important role in his success.

“The faculty is very committed to helping students excel and achieve the most that they can," said Robinson. “The campus is very inviting and open. It is a place where you can meet someone new every day just by walking to class.”

Robinson plans to graduate in May 2027 before pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University in New York City. Long term, he aspires to launch and grow multiple successful businesses. He said his experiences at Alabama A&M and Harvard have expanded his professional network, strengthened his confidence and reinforced his belief that his goals are within reach.

“This was one of the best programs I have ever attended,” said Robinson. “My network multiplied, and I truly feel like Harvard Business School is obtainable.”