Online to in-person: Graduate Residency Weekend held in D.C.
August 21-23, 2025, marked a milestone for William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business. The Online Graduate Business programs hosted their 20th residency weekend. A notable difference from programs past was that instead of welcoming students to Miller Hall, for the first time, the multi-day program was held at the William & Mary Washington Center located near Capitol Hill.
Nearly 30 students representing four of the school’s five online programs gathered for three days of immersive learning focused on business law, led by Professor James Boswell. Online students came as far as Texas, domestically, and Germany, internationally, to participate in the cornerstone requirement for many of the online programs.
“Having a summer residency opportunity in Washington, D.C., at our William & Mary D.C. Bar Building provided a unique opportunity for students to build lasting peer and professional relationships across all our online programs, emphasizing a core multidisciplinary theme, all while being able to enjoy the cultural experiences of the DC area,” said Neina Osibogun, Interim Associate Dean of Online Programs and Director of Student Experience and Affairs.
A Rooftop Welcome
The weekend began with a rooftop reception overlooking downtown Washington, D.C. Against the backdrop of the city skyline, Vice Dean of Academic Programs Ron Hess delivered opening remarks, setting the tone for a professional, yet fun, weekend. He spoke about the importance of carving out moments like this—where students could step away from their screens, connect in person, and engage in learning that bridges theory and practice.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth in our online graduate programs over the past few years, and this milestone residency reflects both that momentum and our commitment to innovation,” Hess said. “Bringing the experience to the nation’s capital gives our students a new lens through which to explore critical topics while also strengthening their ties to William & Mary and each other.”
Law Beyond the Courtroom
The next two days unfolded at the Center, where students participated in a mix of faculty presentations and collaborative assignments. In large-group settings, they worked through case studies, ethical dilemmas, and examples that showed how business law extends well beyond contracts and compliance.
“Law is far more than a department of attorneys managing contracts and disputes,” Boswell explained. “It permeates every aspect of business—marketing, operations, supply chain, finance, and beyond. Whether you are negotiating agreements, managing risk, or shaping strategy, legal frameworks provide a critical foundation for effective decision making.”
Students quickly realized that what might look like a legal technicality on paper can have profound effects in practice. Alice Ma, an Online MBA candidate, recalled Boswell’s story of losing a case not because of weak evidence, but because the jury was distracted by a witness’s rumpled suit. To her, the lesson was unforgettable: perceptions and human nature can outweigh even the strongest arguments.
“It’s a reminder that in professional settings, attention to presentation, communication style, and interpersonal dynamics can be just as critical as technical expertise,” she said. “Whether you are pitching an idea, negotiating a deal, or leading a team, understanding how others perceive us, as well as the subtle factors that influence those perceptions, can be a decisive factor in whether you succeed or not.”
Lessons in Leadership and Ethics
Exercises like the famous “trolley problem” also brought theory to life. For Mwaka Nakazwe, a Master of Accounting student, the scenario was more than an abstract puzzle—it was a window into the complexity of leadership.
“I realized that in real life, decisions aren’t made in sterile hypotheticals. They involve real people, real consequences, and often, incomplete information,” she said. The exercise forced her to reflect on her own instincts as a financial leader and nonprofit founder, and to consider the balance between empathy and logic in a complex environment.
For Nakazwe, the residency also reframed the law beyond existing as a defensive shield but rather as a proactive tool leaders can use. Discussions of employment law and compliance, she said, connected directly to challenges she has faced managing grants and leading teams. “Legal literacy isn’t just about avoiding lawsuits—it’s about creating cultures of fairness and psychological safety,” she added.
The emphasis on foresight and preparation struck a chord with Ma as well. The trolley problem demonstrated how much harder it is to make decisions in practice than in theory, especially when careers or reputations are on the line. “Just as in law, in business it’s crucial to anticipate challenges, consider multiple perspectives, and plan as thoroughly as possible before taking action,” she said. “It’s a reminder that careful preparation can help bridge the gap between theoretical clarity and practical execution in high-stakes situations.”
Preparing for Principled Leadership
Beyond formal instruction, conversations throughout the weekend reinforced the idea that avoiding litigation whenever possible is often the wisest path. For Nakazwe, who has lived through a legal dispute, the message resonated deeply. She was struck by how consistently faculty and peers alike emphasized the cost of litigation beyond the financial aspects, citing relational and personal impacts as well. “It wasn’t just about cost,” she explained. “It was about preserving relationships, reputation, and self-health.”
That theme tied together the broader purpose of the residency weekend: to help students understand that law is not an isolated discipline but a framework that shapes strategic, ethical, and human decisions in business.
By the close of the program, students carried away more than new knowledge. They left with perspectives that will shape their careers. For some, that meant recognizing how human biases can sway outcomes; for others, it meant embracing the tension between hearts and reason in leadership.
“Residencies like this are about more than academic learning,” Hess reflected. “They’re about shaping the kind of principled leaders who can think critically, act ethically, and adapt to the challenges of a rapidly changing business environment. Seeing our students engage with these ideas so deeply is what makes these weekends so powerful.”