What We Learned From Our Latest Cohort:
The Results Go Beyond the Numbers

Spring 2026 Cohort | Open Mindset Project

What happens when students are given the tools to see beyond their own experiences—and the opportunity to talk to a mentor about what it means in real life?

The Spring 2026 cohort gave us a compelling answer. Thirty-five students participated in the Open Mindset Project, combining a four-module curriculum on global mindset with one-on-one mentorship from accomplished professionals, our Global Gurus. Across the four module surveys, response rates remained high, ranging from 96% to 100%.

The results are encouraging. But the most interesting story isn't any single number. It's the pattern: students weren't simply learning new concepts. They were beginning to see how those concepts could change the way they approach people, problems, communication and their own goals.

WHAT STUDENTS WALKED AWAY WITH

From knowing to thinking differently

The four modules build progressively—from understanding what a global mindset is to exploring globalization, culture, communication, adaptability, networking and global teamwork. By the end of Module 1, 100% of respondents said they could define a global mindset and explain why it matters academically, personally and professionally. In Module 2, 100% said they strengthened their understanding of the forces driving globalization and the role of global institutions, and felt better prepared to analyze their real-world impact.

The learning then became increasingly practical. In Module 3, 100% said they could define culture and distinguish between its explicit and implicit elements, while 96% said they learned practical strategies for intercultural communication, adaptability, networking and global teamwork. By Module 4, 100% said they could identify practical strategies for expanding their global thinking, and 100% said the program helped them think about applying global awareness and human skills to their academic or career goals.

“It pushed me to think more critically about how I engage with people from different backgrounds and challenged assumptions I didn't realize I had. … It's changed how I approach problems.” — Spring 2026 student

The human connection matters

The surveys also reinforce something we saw in the pilot: the Global Guru relationship adds another dimension to the learning. In Module 3, 80% gave the highest possible rating for comfort communicating with their mentor, while 72% gave the highest rating to the statement that their mentor deepened their understanding of globalization or global mindset. By Module 4, 87.5% gave the highest rating to the statement that their mentor interaction helped connect course content to real-world professional experiences.

Students described mentors as sounding boards, career guides and sources of perspective they could not get from coursework alone. One student said, “My mentor took the time to hear about my experiences and help me reflect on what my strengths are. She gave me a lot of advice that has helped guide me in making decisions towards the career I want.”

And the impact goes both ways

The Spring 2026 Global Guru survey suggests the experience is meaningful for mentors, too. Among 13 responding Global Gurus, 100% were satisfied or very satisfied with their experience, 100% were likely or very likely to continue mentoring, and 92% said their mentee showed real progress in developing a global mindset. Every responding mentor was also likely or highly likely to recommend the Global Guru experience to others.

A strong signal—and a reason to keep listening

The final numbers reinforce the overall picture. When asked how likely they were to recommend the Open Mindset Project to another student, 23 of 24 Module 4 respondents rated it 8 or higher on a 10-point scale, and 70.8% gave it a perfect 10.

But the value of the Open Mindset Project isn't captured by a single score. The numbers tell us that students understood the concepts. Their comments suggest something deeper: they were beginning to use those concepts to question assumptions, communicate differently, think more critically and connect learning to their own lives.

That is where the story gets more interesting. The five stories that follow take a closer look at what the Spring 2026 cohort taught us about the mentor effect, the shift from global awareness to global mindset, the development of human skills, the role of courage and perspective, and what happens when learning is put into practice.

Together, they move beyond the numbers to explore what students actually experienced—and why developing a global mindset is about more than knowing the world. It’s about learning to see it differently. 

_{Survey note: Thirty-five students participated in the Spring 2026 cohort. Module respondents were 34 in Module 1, 28 in Module 2, 25 in Module 3 and 24 in Module 4. The Global Guru end-of-cohort survey had 13 respondents. Percentages are based on respondents to each question.}