Honoring our Veterans on Memorial Day

• May 22nd, 2014
• in EMBA Program Information, EMBA Uncategorized

With Memorial Day quickly approaching, the The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program would like to honor those who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces as well as the men and women who continue to serve our nation.

During the May 3, 2014 Commencement, 13 graduates of the Manderson Graduate School of Business (EMBA and MBA programs) were recognized as military veterans during the ceremony and wore special cords provided by the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs to reflect their status.  The Executive MBA Program has been a long time supporter of the military; the program waives veterans’ application fees and offers an award to those who have exhausted their VA benefits to enter the EMBA program.

As the American flag is lowered to half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, we, like the rest of the nation, will be remembering our veterans and military for their sacrifices and service.
Please join us in recognizing those who gave their lives as well as those still serving our nation on this Memorial Day.

Roll Tide!

UA’s MBA #1 Over-Performing Program In Nation

• January 17th, 2014
• in EMBA Program Information, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

A new review by on-line business school website Poets & Quants reveals that the Manderson MBA Program at The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce may not be ranked as high as it should be and is being undersold. The analysis is based on the U.S. News and World Report 2014 business schools rankings.

UA’s MBA program came in as the top over-performing school on the list, indicating that the school is producing far better MBA graduates than U.S. News peer assessments would indicate.
“For our MBA program to move up 20 spots in the rankings is quite an accomplishment,” Culverhouse Dean J. Michael Harding said. “We just need our peers to take note and understand what we have been doing here at the business school with our undergraduate and graduate programs so our peer assessment is more aligned with our core ranking. My goal is for Culverhouse to be in the top 25.”

U.S. News bases its rankings on objective measures (average GMAT scores, average undergraduate GPA, acceptance rate, average starting salary and percentage of students with jobs at graduation) and subjective measures (assessments by corporate recruiters and peer assessments from deans and MBA directors of other business schools). One quarter of a program’s U.S. News ranking is based on peer subjective opinion of business school deans and MBA program directors. The analysis by Poets & Quants compared the actual U.S. News ranking of a school to its ranking based solely on the peer subjective rankings. Those schools with higher actual rankings (lower peer rankings) were labeled “overperformers” and those with lower actual rankings (higher peer rankings) were labeled “underperformers.”

“Dean Hardin and his staff have been doing an excellent job in making UA’s business school competitive and its reputation known,” said Dr. Robert Witt, Chancellor of the UA System. “This is a another step forward in achieving Dean Hardin’s goal of Culverhouse becoming one of the top 25 business schools in the country. This is excellent news for the entire University of Alabama system.”

UA EMBA Countdown to End of Year

• December 27th, 2013
• in EMBA Alumni Network, EMBA Program Information

December is the month of holidays, family and memories.  A time to remember and celebrate.  As the month draws to a close so comes the lists, and believe me, there are lots of lists.  Top 100 songs of the year, best movies of 2013, and top 10 iPhone apps – it’s Candy Crush Saga followed by YouTube. Then there are the strange lists like the ESPN Dallas Cowboys’ Craziest Losses – no matter how heartbroken you may be if your team lost this year the Cowboys take the “smack in the head, I can’t believe that just happened” award. Then there’s the 2013 Google’s top 10 searches that ranges from Nelson Mandela to the Royal baby…the lists goes on and on.

Not to be left out, we decided to present our own countdown for 2013. So here goes – the EMBA at The University of Alabama top five highlights for 2013:

#5 – Social Media reigned in the EMBA office.  We started our UAEMBA blog, University of Alabama EMBA LinkedIn group and company page, and UAEMBA Facebook page.

#4 – Istanbul, Turkey was our destination for the EMBA Class of 2013’s global strategy course.  Students encountered a rich cultural adventure and successful company visits. They were also treated to a warm welcome by chairman and CEO of Istanbul-based Bayraktar Group and UA graduate, Mustafa Bayraktar, at his company’s headquarters overlooking the Bosphorous. This year, we also offered spouse/guest optional packages and a post trip to Izmir. We also announced that alumni may join us on future trips.  The alumni package will include the same accommodations, meals, company visits and city tours as is provided to students. In 2014, we will have alumni on our Chile-Peru trip and encourage other alumni to join us in 2015.

#3 – Our 2013 EMBA Alumni survey yielded many success stories that we will be sharing with you in future blogs.  One of many highlights is that after graduation, 46 percent of our alumni received promotions within their company, 30 percent changed companies for promotions and 11 percent started their own business.

#2 – The EMBA Alumni Association was established.  The EMBA program has graduated 766 students.  In November, we celebrated the creation of the EMBA Alumni Association with a return to campus event that included faculty presentations, networking, updates on continuing education and certification programs that are now available to EMBA alumni, and a Welcome Back to T-Town party at Dreamland BBQ.

#1 – UA EMBA welcomed our sixth class in Huntsville and our 30th class in Tuscaloosa.  In 1985, we enrolled our first EMBA class in Tuscaloosa, and we will be graduating our 30th class in May 2015.
It has been an exciting and thrilling year.  From all of us in the EMBA Program, we wish you Happy Holidays and a bright New Year.
Donna, Brian, Cheryl, Linda, Matt, Courtney and Gary

Entrepreneurs and MBAs: Is it worth it?

• October 1st, 2013
• in EMBA Program Information, Helpful Tips and Advice

If you ask Robert Parfitt, “Was it worth it?” His answer would undoubtedly be “yes.” Robert graduated from the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA program at the University of Alabama in 2002, and is now CEO and co-founder of Waiting Game Publications.

Robert, along with company President and co-founder Bill Zapf, was recently featured in a CEO profile in Franchise Canada Magazine. You can read the full article here. The Waiting Game is a free, full-color, interactive, incentive-based monthly publication distributed to waiting rooms.

It offers low-cost advertising with extensive local reach to small businesses. Waiting Game Publications launched in 2009, began franchising in 2011 and now has 23 franchise locations with 15 more in the works for the coming year.

Many working professionals decide to break out on their own and become entrepreneurs AFTER they earn their MBA degree. But what about those aspiring entrepreneurs considering an MBA while trying to start a business? Is it a good idea? Would it be worth it in the long run? Here are some reasons why entrepreneurs selected the UA EMBA program:

• To fill in knowledge gaps and combine formal business education with on-the-job experience
• To connect ideas with other professionals in class to market and grow their business
• To become better negotiators
• To better understand financial aspects of business and become a more strategic leader
• To network

“The UA EMBA program gave me the tools and confidence to take my career to the next level. After graduation, I obtained a new position that doubled my previous salary. I then put my education to work by crafting out a plan to launch Waiting Game Publications, and I know this could not have happened without everything I learned from my fellow EMBA grads and the professors at Alabama.” – Robert Parfitt

Announcing New Format for University of Alabama EMBA Program in Huntsville

• September 20th, 2013
• in EMBA Program Information

The Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Program at the University of Alabama announces a new change in the schedule format for our Huntsville location – One Weekend A Month, beginning August 2014.

The new schedule features a blended program in which classes are held one weekend per month over the course of 21 months. A blended program combines the benefits of face-to-face classroom interactions with flexible, online learning.

According to Donna Blackburn, director of EMBA Programs at The University of Alabama, “We are finding that managers who want to pursue an MBA are today juggling family and longer work hours.  A blended program will give our students more flexibility in learning material on their own schedule while enriching the in-class time for greater discourse and learning from their peers and faculty.”

Classes in the Huntsville EMBA Program offered by the University of Alabama are held on the UAHuntsville campus.  The five semester program will begin with an orientation/immersion week in August.  In addition to taking three classes per semester a leadership component will begin at orientation and continue throughout the program. The program also includes an international trip as part of the Global Business Strategy course in the students’ last semester. Emphasis is placed on enhancing leadership and business skills in preparing  students for navigating corporate challenges.

The University of Alabama has offered the EMBA program in Tuscaloosa since 1984. In 2008, UA established the Huntsville EMBA in cooperation with the UAHuntsville. For more information or to apply to the program, go to www.emba.ua.edu, or call 205.348.4501.

UA Executive MBA Named to 2014 Military Friendly Schools List

• September 13th, 2013
• in EMBA Program Information

For the fifth year, Victory Media — the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life — has named The Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA program at the University of Alabama to the coveted Military Friendly Schools list. The 2014 Military Friendly Schools List honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“Inclusion on the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools shows UA EMBA’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, Vice President at Victory Media and a nine-year Navy veteran. “The need for education is growing, and our mission is to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools.”

The Military Friendly Schools media and website, www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features the list, as well as interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best schools to suit their unique needs and preferences. The 1,868 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. These schools have world-class programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation, credit policies, flexibility and other services to those who served.

This year’s Military Friendly Schools list was based on a survey of more than 10,000 schools nationwide approved for VA funding. Currently, 36 percent of students enrolled in the EMBA program at the University of Alabama are veterans or active duty military, an increase of 11 percent from last year. “Once again, we are greatly honored to be recognized for our continued support of the military as they pursue their academic career,” said Donna Blackburn, director of Executive MBA Programs.

True or False: EMBA programs are only for "Executives"

• August 29th, 2013
• in EMBA Program Information, Helpful Tips and Advice

The answer to this question is FALSE. Although the “E” in EMBA stands for Executive, it does not mean that students are required to hold executive positions within their companies. However, most EMBA programs do require that students have at least 5 years work experience. EMBA students are “successful and looking for an education that will broaden his or her knowledge base in order manage more efficiently.” (Roos, “How Executive MBA Programs Work”) 

EMBA programs provide those in middle management positions with the knowledge and leadership abilities needed to advance in their career. According to the 2012-2013 class profile for the University of Alabama EMBA program, 57 percent of students held middle management positions. About 82 percent of UA EMBA alumni received promotions upon completion of the program, and the average salary increase was 23 percent.

EMBA students represent a variety of industries as well. Last year, UA’s EMBA class was made up of students working in defense, technology, government/nonprofit, manufacturing, healthcare, service/retail, financial, telecommunications, and other industries. This diversity allows students to gain a totally different perspective and learn from a broad range of experience levels and backgrounds.

Faculty, staff, alumni and classmates from diverse business backgrounds and industries also provides an EMBA student with an excellent networking opportunity. Students from different industries can share their knowledge and experiences, and benefit from the knowledge and experiences of others as well.

Any experienced business professional from virtually any industry can benefit from an EMBA degree, even if your title doesn’t include the word “executive.”

Always remember that the best way to determine if a program is right for you is to VISIT! Talk with current students, faculty, staff or alumni, tour the campus and get a feel for what it would be like to be a student. You can also learn a lot about a program and connect with other students via social media.

Connect with the University of Alabama EMBA program on Facebook and LinkedIn.

To learn more about the program and application requirements, visit emba.ua.edu or fill out the form below to request more info, attend an information session or open classroom, or to schedule a personal interview.

4 reasons why women and EMBAs are a good match

• August 23rd, 2013
• in EMBA Program Information, Helpful Tips and Advice

An average EMBA classroom consists of 25.4 percent female students, according to the Executive MBA Council. At The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA our female/male ration is 37 percent for women in the latest 2014 class.  Although we continue to grow our female numbers we are often asking why such a large gap between the number of men and women? In talking with prospects, our top reasons include the added responsibilities of starting or caring for a family, securing support from an employer and time commitment required by work and family.

However, an EMBA program could be the perfect match for women who are looking to expand their business knowledge and professional development. Here are four reasons why:

1.) Convenient class schedule
One of the biggest benefits of an EMBA program for women is the convenience of the class schedule. The classes for EMBA at The University of Alabama meet every other weekend (Friday evenings and Saturdays). Not only does this schedule format reduce time away from work, but time away from home and families as well. Most women have an innate ability to multi-task. An EMBA program can improve on these skills and help women achieve a balance between work and home life.

2.) Female sponsors and role-models
In a Time Ideas post by Sylvia Ann Hewlett, “Women with sponsors are 27% more likely than their unsponsored female peers to ask for a raise. They’re 22% more likely to ask for those all-important stretch assignments, the projects that put them on the radar of the higher-ups.”

Female EMBA students have the opportunity to meet and learn from other business women professionals, and build strong networks. They also become role-models themselves, and are able to show other women that it is possible to successfully balance work, home, travel and study.

3.) Break through the “glass ceiling” 
In Bloomberg’s 2013 Gender Gap in Earnings, men in the U.S. continue to out earn women by 23% and hold greater number of leadership positions. An M.B.A. does not guarantee a C-level position but it can lead to more opportunities, higher salaries, promotions, and gain the confidence to take on greater responsibilities at work.

4.) Taking time for yourself
Let’s face it by nature, women are nurturers who tend to put the wants and needs of others before their own; however, it is important for women to take time for themselves and pursue their dreams as well. The decision to pursue an M.B.A. is a huge step toward career development and improvement, and is a big investment in the future as well. By earning an M.B.A., women can prove to themselves as well as others that they are capable of achieving any goal they set for themselves.

For more information about UA’s EMBA program visit emba.ua.edu.
5 Top Business Schools Just as Great as Harvard and Wharton

If you read one article about MBA Information Sessions, read this one.

• July 25th, 2013
• in EMBA Program Information, Helpful Tips and Advice

You have been looking at various graduate schools, searching different programs, talking with friends, colleagues, and even random people you meet.  You have narrowed it down to a few schools.  Now is the time to attend an information session or an open classroom.  Before you go, here are some things you should know:

1.) Information sessions generally start off with a check in and a reception with some time to mingle.  This is a good opportunity for talking privately with the staff, faculty, alumni and current students.  For open classrooms, arriving early will allow you to talk to students before they must focus on the class lecture.

2.) During the reception or open classroom, be prepared to talk about yourself.  At the beginning of the session guests are sometimes asked to introduce themselves to the group. Sharing information about yourself, your position, your company and why you are pursuing a graduate degree will be helpful for those who are attached to the school. It will also help them in relating your background and experiences with others who are similar to you and the benefits they received.

3.) Personal interview – you may also want to arrange for a one-on-one meeting with the admissions person either before or after the event.  The personal interviews usually cover the program in more detail and allow you to ask questions pertaining to your own issues and goals. It also gives the admissions officer an opportunity to get to know you.

4.) Be professional! The staff, alumni and students will notice your dress, conduct, and interest, so be prepared and make a good impression.

5.) Check out the campus and classroom.  While at the open classroom take some time either before or after the lecture to check out the campus.  Also note the parking and lodging if you may be staying overnight to attend classes.  How long did it take you to drive to the location, and what restaurants or shops are located nearby?

6.) Questions – go prepared with questions. You will find that during the reception or at any point in the information session, you will have the opportunity to ask a question.  During open classrooms, it is best to hold questions until a break period.
Some typical questions are:

• How has the program benefited you (or your company)?
• Did you receive a promotion, change jobs, change positions while in the program?
• Since graduation, how has the program helped you with your career?
• Is career counseling available?
• How did you juggle work, school and home?
• How much support did you receive from your company (financial, time off)?
• Looking back, what would you say were the best courses in developing your career and why?
• Does the program require team assignments and if so, how often do teams meet outside of class?
• Could you tell me how study teams are formed?
• What is the ratio of individual to group assignments?
• How much time outside of class do you spend preparing for class?
• Is there an international trip involved in the program? How is the country selected? What companies do you visit? Who do you meet with at the companies?
• Is there a masters’ project?
• How did you secure funding? Are scholarships available? Is there a VA office on campus?
• How active are alumni? Are there alumni programs and events?

7.) At the end of the event, be sure to exchange contact information.  You should also receive a follow up email from the University. At this point, feel free to ask for names and contact information of anyone you met but did not secure a business card.  Also, ask additional questions or if you did not have time to set up a personal interview, do so now.

Graduate school is a BIG investment.  EMBA Programs offer many benefits like a schedule that does not interfere with working professionals, a lock-step program where classes are set, a definite graduation date of 17-24 months from the start of program, and classmates who have extensive work and management experience.

Do not take this investment lightly!  Attend an event. Be prepared.

The University of Alabama EMBA has many events throughout the year.  We encourage you to attend an information session and an open classroom. To RSVP, or for more information about upcoming information sessions, open classrooms, or to set up a personal interview, please contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205-348-4501.

Executive MBA – A Good MBA Choice for Veterans?

• July 19th, 2013
• in EMBA Program Information, Helpful Tips and Advice

UA Manderson EMBA Military Veterans and students preparing for their international immersion.

Transitioning from a military career to a civilian work environment is cause for serious reflection and careful planning.  Questions arise … will my military leadership and management skills translate? Is the EMBA the right degree for me?  Why is an EMBA Program a great choice for Veterans specifically?  Are accelerated programs, EMBA programs for instance, respected by industry? Can I find a reputable EMBA Program that is also military friendly? Can I work full time while participating in an EMBA Program?  Can I afford it with my Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits?
When considering the best path for your education, remember the following points:

• Will my skills translate?   Trends show the corporate world benefits greatly from well-seasoned military leaders who are making the decision to transition out of active military service.  After all, historically, many a great business theory or strategy was first developed in a military setting prior to trickling into commercial industry.

• Is the EMBA the right degree for me?   There actually is no E.M.B.A. degree in the US at this time.  An EMBA program offers the M.B.A. degree in a format designed for experienced professionals.  The degree curriculum is generally broad by design to prepare students for executive leadership positions. Also, an executive-style MBA program is an efficient way to reframe military leadership training with a boardroom-style business education.

• Why is an EMBA a great choice for Veterans specifically? The average EMBA student has 15 years of professional work experience.  By choosing an EMBA format for their degree, Veterans are immersed with a group of experienced, highly motivated professionals from diverse industries such as technology, telecommunications, health care, manufacturing, services and defense.  Learning from professionals active in other industries is a great fit for the warfighter who wants to transition quickly into an executive environment.

• Is an EMBA respected by industry compared to a “regular” MBA?  Yes! Industry leaders understand and value the drive needed and sacrifices made by professionals who work full time and earn a degree in an academically rigorous EMBA program. Additionally, company executives know EMBA programs value leadership skills, teamwork mindset and the world experience Veterans bring into the classroom. They know they are getting a good “product” by hiring an EMBA. EMBA programs offer a boardroom-style class setting with experienced professionals and typically in an accelerated schedule, ranging from 17 to 22 months in length.  Work and school is a challenging undertaking.  Taking on this challenge with a network of experienced professionals is a rewarding experience.  Industry understands and values the discipline required to graduate from a highly-regarded EMBA program.

• Can I find a reputable EMBA Program that is also military friendly?
  Most EMBA programs require a minimum of five years of professional work experience and count military service years equal with commercial-industry experience. Key tips for Veterans or active military who are evaluating how Post 9/11 G I Bill benefits apply to tuition costs: 1) check on whether the program is a public institution and if tuition is considered “in state”  2) ask if a program waives application fees or waives tuition prepayment requirements for active military and Veterans   3) confirm that your enrollment status will be considered “full time”.

• Can I work full time while participating in an EMBA Program?  Yes.  Take advantage of that great post-military job offer while attending school full time.  A weekend schedule is a perfect schedule for the working professional.  Plus, EMBA faculty understand your schedule and in most instances can work with you on work/life schedule conflicts.

• Can I afford an EMBA Program with my Post 9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits?  Yes! Although tuition is slightly higher for most EMBA programs, this is typically due to the “all-in-one cost” of the tuition/fees structure.  Meaning your tuition, books, supplies, meals, and international immersion are included in the cost of the program. Contact the program you are considering for more details.  In most cases you will be pleasantly surprised!

If you are looking for a perfect fit as you transition from military service to the civilian workforce; check out an Executive MBA program. It is challenging experience that will fit well with the skills developed through a career of military service.  Visit the Executive MBA Council website, embac.org, to compare programs in your region; compare up to five programs side by side on this site.

For more information on this blog, visit www.emba.ua.edu or call Cheryl to talk more about returning to Graduate School as a Veteran, 205-348-4501.