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<\/p>\nJoshua and Jordan Burrell have played football together since second grade. Football has always been a passion for the twin brothers, who went on to play football together at Blythewood High School in their hometown of Columbia, South Carolina. After high school, they went in different directions; Joshua graduated from Florida State University, and Jordan went to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University.<\/p>\n
Now, they are once again sharing the field at Paladin Stadium, this time while enrolled in Furman\u2019s Master of Science in Innovation and Leadership (MSIL) program.<\/p>\n
The new master\u2019s program develops curious and collaborative leaders who leverage creativity, critique and feedback to tackle tough challenges in their organizations and communities. Through an innovative curriculum that blends theory and practice, students learn how to communicate their ideas, assess needs and outcomes, and lead others through times of change and uncertainty.<\/p>\n
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Joshua started the MSIL program in June 2024, and Jordan followed a year later. The MSIL program is a great fit for the brothers, who both graduated with bachelor\u2019s degrees in Sports Management from their respective universities. The innovative and creative nature of the program resonated with Joshua. He wanted to learn more about leadership and managerial roles, but didn\u2019t have an undergraduate background in business, finance or accounting. \u201cI kind of saw it as an MBA without the numbers, honestly. And I kind of liked that idea,\u201d Joshua shared.<\/p>\n
Through the MSIL program, he is taking what he learned in his undergraduate degree and adding his own spin on it. He\u2019s learning from other students in the program, who each bring their own various backgrounds and passions. \u201cIt’s really panned out to kind of what we wanted it to be. Just finding ways to make ourselves better and come out on the other end of the program as a better person, knowing of ways to make our own sectors better,\u201d Joshua added.<\/p>\n
Jordan\u2019s motivation for starting the program was to chase academic excellence while building new relationships. He explains that he likes the opportunity to learn how to adapt to changing environments while innovating and leading others in a changing world. He notes that all companies want leaders who can think on their toes and show innovation in their leadership skills, which makes the MSIL program even more relevant. \u201cWith how things are going in the world, you never know what this master\u2019s could do for you, just thinking about how they can change it with AI and just things like that,\u201d he said. His experience in the program is broadening his perspective on other areas of focus and helping him build relationships with classmates.<\/p>\n
The program is not all work and no fun. Joshua enjoys the Fridays in the Field opportunities the most, where students participate in engaged learning opportunities at various businesses. He looks forward to the immersive \u201cfield trips,\u201d which include excursions to organizations like Michelin, where students gain firsthand insight into the company\u2019s innovative and creative practices.<\/p>\n
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The program is already making a touchdown outside the classroom for the twins. For Joshua, the coursework has taught him how to lead a team of people who have their own unique qualities, including those who play in a different position or have a different playing style. The MSIL program has shown him how to unify and lead during high pressure moments, especially in challenging games where he must be the leader that guides the team in unpredictable circumstances.<\/p>\n
This is the last year of eligibility for Jordan, and Joshua may have one more year of eligibility after this year. Being closer to their hometown of Columbia, they\u2019re grateful to have their parents and younger brother attend both their football games for the first time in their college careers. \u201cJust looking in the stands, seeing my family in the stands, I’m smiling ear to ear. Having moments like that are truly wholesome,\u201d Joshua said.<\/p>\n
Jordan and Joshua have bright futures ahead of them. Joshua will graduate from the MSIL program in December and hopes to enter a sales, front office or sports role post-graduation. Jordan similarly wants to look at sports management or sales and business roles in his future. The MSIL program has laid the foundation for them to succeed in their next adventures as they star in their next big game: their careers.<\/p>\n