Olmsted Scholars Complete Studies Abroad

Maxwell Mulholland, the president of M+M Strategic Enterprises LLC, has over 25 years of executive and entrepreneurial experience in international leadership, management, and strategic planning. In his consulting role, he has served small companies as well as large, global corporations in a number of capacities. Prior to his career in the civilian world, Maxwell Mulholland enjoyed a successful career as a naval officer. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Mr. Mulholland was named an "Olmsted Scholar", a prestigious award given to a small number of officers each year.

For 50 years, the Olmsted Foundation has enabled highly skilled officers within all five branches of the military to pursue graduate studies in an immersive context abroad. To date, scholars have journeyed overseas to 200 different universities in 60 countries. Officers chosen as "Olmsted Scholars" complete a degree in a variety of graduate-level topics at universities outside of the United States, including law, economics, political and social sciences, history, and international affairs.

In order to be named an Olmsted Scholar, a candidate must show an aptitude for leadership and exhibit drive, self-discipline, and the pursuit of personal achievement. They must also demonstrate superior ability to speak and read a foreign language. Only active-duty officers with total active service between three and 11 years are considered. Between 15 and 20 scholars are named each year.

Pursuing between two-and-a-half and three years of graduate studies in a fully immersive environment overseas stretches every student. The Olmsted Foundation believes that the experience enhances an officer’s worldview, giving him or her the ability to appreciate different perspectives more deeply. Awareness of varying cultures and traditions supplements the intellectual benefits of graduate studies, preparing scholars for a lifetime of leadership.

All Hands on Deck, an Exhibit at the USS Constitution Museum

Maxwell Mulholland, an entrepreneurial executive and President ofgi M+M Stratec Enterprises, a management consulting firm located in Boston, helps his clients identify operational challenges and implement solutions that promote corporate growth and long-term business success. In addition to his professional endeavors, Maxwell Mulholland, who also graduated from the United States Naval Academy and served as a line officer in the US Navy, also volunteers his time as an Overseer at the USS Constitution Museum in Boston, Massachusetts.

Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution, or “Old Ironsides,” is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. The USS Constitution Museum, located near the ship, helps people of all ages learn about maritime history, specifically the stories related to Old Ironsides.

In 2009, the USS Constitution Museum launched an exhibit called “All Hands on Deck: A Sailors Life in 1812.” The design of the family-centered exhibit, which encompassed 10 years of research, dives into the real-life stories of some of the 1,243 people who served aboard the USS Constitution during the War of 1812.

To assemble material for the interactive exhibit, researchers investigated census records, memoirs, diaries, journals, and newspapers of the era. Because of their extensive research, visitors can now experience life aboard a ship during the War of 1812. They can furl a sail, scrub the deck, lie in a hammock, and try their hand at tying knots, all while learning about real people who helped defend the United States more than 200 years ago.

Harvard Alumni Association's Boston Chapter - Helping Local Nonprofits

Since 2014, Maxwell Mulholland has led M+M Strategic Enterprises, LLC, a Winthrop, Massachusetts-based firm that helps clients implement organizational and sales procedures that maximize growth and productivity. An alumnus of the US Navy Academy (USNA), Maxwell Mulholland graduated with honors and a bachelor of science in political science, and was then commissioned as a US Navy officer in 1982. He also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and maintains membership in the Boston Chapter of the Harvard Alumni Association, which runs a program called Community Action Partners. 

Dedicated to helping local nonprofit organizations succeed, Community Action Partners provides pro-bono consulting from alumni of Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. To qualify for assistance, greater Boston entities must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or another officially recognized social organization with at least five full-time staff members and a board of directors.

Organizations benefit from a team of six experienced Harvard alumni who each work for two to four hours each week for approximately six months. Qualifying projects include those relating to business or management, such as organizations experiencing challenges in the areas of organizational development, strategic planning, or finance. 

To learn more about the Community Action Partners program, visit www.CAP-HBSAB.org.