Top 5 Benefits of the Alabama EMBA Program

• February 25th, 2022
• in Helpful Tips and Advice

Are you ready to return to graduate school?  Is the EMBA Program at The University of Alabama right for you?  UA’s EMBA program is designed for working professionals and allows students to continue working while completing their degree in four or five semesters. Students may earn an MBA degree in one of two locations, Tuscaloosa or Huntsville.

Students enter the EMBA program with specific needs and set expectations. Interviews conducted before starting the program show that the number one reason for enrollment is “increasing business knowledge.”

What are the top 5 benefits for UA EMBA students?

1. Increased business financial skills

Students are given tools to assess new financial strategies and develop a deeper understanding of annual reports and related financial data. Students report a better understanding of how their businesses run.

2. Building a business network

Without a doubt, one of the greatest benefits is the strong network forged in the UA EMBA.  Students form lifelong friendships and make valuable business contacts.  Diversity in student backgrounds, academics, industry, and culture provides a rich environment to learn.

3. Achieving Personal and Professional Goals

Students set goals at the beginning of the program and encourage each other to reach their personal and professional goals by the end of the program. Achieved goals run the gamut from company promotions to running a marathon, from improving business skills or starting a company to becoming a more effective leader or even learning how to skydive.

4. Improved Negotiating Skills

In combination with other courses, the negotiation class helps students understand their businesses better and teaches them to make more informed decisions. Graduates attribute the skills they learned to negotiating savings for their companies, as well as obtaining better raises and signing bonuses.

5. Thinking Strategically

A boardroom approach to learning encourages the exchange of ideas, discourse, and executive-level strategic thinking. The program builds to a final semester focusing on strategic communications, management, implementation, and global strategy, including a final project that provides valuable ROI to companies.

https://manderson.culverhouse.ua.edu/programs/mba-programs/emba/

For more information, visit: https://universityofalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jYBLMIMPkR8rBj

UA EMBAs Begin Their International Trip in Seoul

• February 21st, 2020
• in International Trip

The University of Alabama Class of 2020 EMBAs have arrived in Seoul to begin their international trip. The eight-day trip will take them from Seoul, South Korea to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  The international experience is part of the global business course taught in the final term of the program. Students are immersed in business and cross-cultural experiences.

Considered transformative by our students, the trip includes visits, tours, presentations by senior executives of local and global companies, exposing them to how business is conducted in those countries and the region.  Also, our students will be consulting with Friends International, applying their expertise and business knowledge to work on critical issues in growing their opportunities in international markets.

Ranking 12th among the world’s largest economic powers and 4th in Asia, South Korea is famous for its spectacular rise from one of the poorest countries in the world to a developed, high-income country in just one generation. During the global financial crisis, the country maintained a stable economy and even experienced economic growth during the peak of the crisis.

Cambodia is among a few economies in the East Asia and Pacific region that continues to perform well. The economy is projected to remain robust, although the average annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth decelerated to 7.0 percent in 2019 it continues to be driven primarily by the expansion of exports, investment, and internal demand.

Following the trip, students may elect to do an optional post-trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat.  Students return after the trip to complete their spring term classes before graduation in May.

For more information on The University of Alabama Executive MBA international trip and how to apply for the program, visit the UAEMBA website or contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or caltemara@culverhouse.ua.edu.

A Community of Champions

• September 14th, 2017
• in EMBA Elite Spotlight Series, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

Just a few days before Hurricane Irma was set to make landfall in the U.S., Executive MBA student (2018) Andrew “Andy” Maguire, sent an email that read: “There is a good chance that I will not be able to make it to class this weekend…We will be supporting disaster relief preparation and actual relief from now through the next few weeks.” Signing off with a sincere “Andy”, the Murfreesboro, Tennessee native removed the script ‘A’ embroidered crimson cap and replaced it with the regalia of the Tennessee National Guard.

For the past few weeks, Director of Operations/Aviation Commander Andy Maguire and his unit have been involved in relief efforts throughout Texas, Georgia and Florida. The unit is currently housing the aircraft from those states and presently packing planes with much needed medical supplies and food. “Right now we are breaking down our helicopters to go in C-5 and C-17 jets to support relief in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which have suffered greatly during the hurricane (Irma),” Maguire stated.

In the EMBA Program at The University of Alabama, our definition of family reaches beyond classroom walls. It encompasses the states, cities, towns and neighborhoods that our students call home. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, we know that now, more than ever, community is important. We want our students and alumni to know that their homes and their communities are important to us.

To those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, we want to know that you and your family are okay. Please check in with us on the UAEMBA Facebook page.

To learn more about the UA EMBA community and how you can become a part of the next incoming class, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.

To request information now, click here.

EMBA Alumnus David Lyles Wins Woodruff Award

• April 27th, 2017
• in EMBA Alumni Network, EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

David Lyles, TEMBA alumnus, Class of 2012, won the Steve Woodruff Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award from the Culverhouse College of Commerce at The University of Alabama.

The Woodruff Award, presented on April 9, recognizes exemplary classroom teaching by an adjunct faculty member.
Lyles, County Transportation Manager for the Alabama Department of Transportation, is responsible for assisting with the management of projects (local county, city, industrial access, and transportation enhancement) within a six county area.

As an adjunct professor of management at UA since 2012 he teaches students enrolled in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) path to the MBA program, as well as courses in Leadership and Ethics, and Business Ethics.

“I was deeply honored to receive the Steve Woodruff Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, and to have it presented to me by Dr. Ron Dulek, who is so well-respected and taught me in EMBA, making it a double honor,” said Lyles. 
Lyles has been very active with the EMBA Program and EMBA Alumni Network since graduating in 2012. He resides in Tuscaloosa with his wife Lori and his daughter Alexa.

UA EMBA Announces New Scholarships for Incoming Students

• April 26th, 2017
• in EMBA Program Information, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

The Executive MBA Program at The University of Alabama is announcing two new scholarships for students beginning Fall 2017: The Diversity Award and the Civilian Women in Defense and Technology Award.
The Diversity Award will grant two scholarships of up to $15,000 in value to candidates representing diverse backgrounds.  Diversity can be exhibited through educational and professional experience, unique career goals, ethnicity and citizenship.The Civilian Women in Defense and Technology Award will be given to two women enrolled in the EMBA Program.  The award recipients must be employed in the defense or technology industries. A recipient of the $10,000 CWDT scholarship must be a fully accepted student (minimum 3.0 GPA and five years of professional work experience) to the EMBA program and able to demonstrate financial need.According to Cheryl Altemara, assistant director of the UA EMBA Program, “We are excited to increase our scholarship award offerings for EMBA students.” These awards join the existing Mitchell Scholarship, which is awarded to incoming students who present evidence of exceptional academic ability, substantial professional experience and can also demonstrate financial need.
“Our goal is to increase our enrollment, promote diverse backgrounds that bring different viewpoints into the classroom, challenge our students to broaden their viewpoints and to have them learn as much from each other as from their faculty.”

Application for these annual awards must be made by the stated deadline for each program.

For deadlines for the TEMBA and HEMBA classes click here.  The award recipients are announced prior to orientation for each cohort.

For more information on these and other scholarships, click on the EMBA website or contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501.

Former EMBA Alumni Network President Named to Top 50 Over 50 in Birmingham

• July 18th, 2016
• in EMBA Uncategorized

Mike Ross (EMBA 1989) was named to Positive Maturity’s Top 50 Over 50 List.  According to the Birmingham Business Journal, this honor recognizes individuals who are exhibiting a high level of success in their careers, civic engagement or personal lives, as well as making a measurable impact on their communities through their work. “I am honored and humbled to be recognized by an organization such as Positive Maturity,” said Ross, “It’s support of our aging population is a model for us all in terms of the importance of giving back to our fellow man in need.”

The list also includes several high profile civic and business leaders in the Birmingham metro area and celebrities such as the Crimson Tide Radio Network’s own, Eli Gold.  In addition to Ross, other Culverhouse College of Commerce alumni named to the list were retired Community Activist Joel Rotenstreich, and Jeffrey Bayer, President and CEO of Bayer Industries and Culverhouse College of Commerce Board of Visitor member.

“We are thrilled to have Mike recognized for his many contributions,” said Donna Blackburn, Director of UA EMBA Program, “he has always and continues to support and assist our program, students and alumni whenever and wherever needed.” Ross currently serves as the Central Region President and Chief Commercial Officer at Renasant Corporation. Ross was also a finalist for the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2015 CEO of the Year and was named to BHMBIZ Magazine’s list of 205 Influential Executives. He has also been very active with our EMBA Alumni Network, serving on the board as President in 2015 and Past President this year.

For more information on the EMBA Program at The University of Alabama, contact Cheryl Altemara at caltemara@cba.ua.edu or call 205.348.4501.

UA EMBA Heads To Ballpark for Family Day

• July 12th, 2016
• in EMBA Alumni Network

To the sounds of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” The University of Alabama Executive MBA alumni, students, staff and their families celebrated the 2016 Family Day.  Hosted by the EMBA Alumni Network everyone gathered at Regions Field on Sunday July, 10 to watch a Birmingham Barons game. This year’s event brought out 96 attendees, representing nine different EMBA classes.

As Birmingham’s minor league baseball team bested the Jacksonville Suns 7-4, alumni reconnected, and everyone mingled, forged new friendships and had a great time on the Party Deck in the stadium.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, ice cream and Bud’s Best cookies were on the menu along with the traditional peanuts and Cracker Jack®. Babe Ruff, the popular Barons mascot, stopped by to pose for pictures and entertain children.

“This was a great networking event. It always helps when you have a fun reason to get together and at such an amazing venue,” proclaimed Ben Paulk, President of the EMBA Alumni Network.

Regions Field opened in 2012 and is credited with revitalizing downtown Birmingham.

The history of the Birmingham Barons traces back to 1885, when the Barons were originally called the Coal Barons. Regions Field also has the honor of being named at the 2015 Southern League All-Star Game Ballpark Digest’s Best of the Ballparks: Double-A.
The UA Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Alumni Network hosts several events throughout the year for alumni as well as current and incoming students.

For more information on the EMBA Alumni Network and the EMBA Program contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501 or email at caltemara@cba.ua.edu.

UA EMBA Celebrates the Class of 2016

• May 13th, 2016
• in EMBA Alumni Network, UA EMBA Latest News/Events

The roar of “Roll Tide” was loud as 40 graduates and over 200 family members, staff and students gathered at The Zone in Bryant-Denny Stadium on May 6 to celebrate the Culverhouse College of Commerce Executive MBA Class of 2016 graduation.  During their EMBA Program at The University of Alabama, the graduates completed academic coursework in finance, accounting, marketing, spreadsheet analysis, strategy, operations and project management, negotiations, statistics, communication and leadership.  They also traveled to Morocco and Spain as part of their global business course. Team work, case discussions, projects and presentations rounded out the M.B.A. degree curriculum.  Along the way they forged friendships and made special memories.

The afternoon festivities began with a tour of the Alabama football locker room and the Crimson Tide tunnel to the Bryant-Denny field. Everyone then convened in The Zone for the EMBA reception and awards ceremony.  This year’s honorees included recognition of HEMBA President Richard Spears and Vice President Jim Boyd, and TEMBA President Tom Thayer and Vice President Pritha Powell. The class MVP awards went to Zeph Isom (HEMBA) and Tom Thayer and Ben Caro (TEMBA) for exemplifying high ideals, integrity and leadership ability, as well as being supportive of class and teammates.

Class leaders presented the Faculty Excellence awards to Dr. William Walsh, Clinical Professor of Economics (HEMBA), and Dr. Ron Dulek, John R. Miller Professor of Management (TEMBA). The award honors the professor who has shown outstanding commitment to the EMBA Program through their exceptional instruction generating a positive learning environment and creating a significant impact on student understanding. 

Interim Dean, James I. Harrison Family Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow, and Professor of Statistics Dr. Brian Gray was awarded the Dr. James F. Cashman Faculty Award by both the TEMBA and HEMBA classes.  The James F. Cashman Faculty Award is given to the faculty member that reflects the spirit and positive influence on EMBA students as exemplified by Dr. Cashman, a man of integrity who’s generous counsel impacted students’ lives. 
During the EMBA ceremony all of the graduates received plaques and University of Alabama pins. Nine graduates received 4.0 GPAs: Stephen Burton, Aaron Craddock, Zeph Isom, Ryan McDaniel, Neil Morton, Pritha Powell, Richard Spears, Edward Stringfellow and Nic Ward. Eleven Veterans were also honored with cords recognizing their service to our country.

At UA we are proud of saying we are a family and once you become a student, you and your family becomes part of the Alabama family. It was only fitting that at the end of the EMBA graduation event everyone joined in for a class family portrait.  “I’m so proud to be affiliated with the University of Alabama. This has been a life changing experience for me,” said Mike Starnes (HEMBA).

Thank you to the family, friends, co-workers and companies that supported our graduates throughout the program.  Check out more photos from graduation on our Facebook page.

Once again, congratulations to our Executive MBA Class of 2016:

• Rodney Bilbrew, U.S. Army Contracting Command
• Jim Boyd, Army Aviation Flight Test Directorate
• Patrick Briles, Wells Fargo
• Justin Brown, ColeMarie Austin
• Stephen Burton, Buckman Laboratories, Inc.
• Ben Caro, USAF Sr. Noncommissioned Officer Academy
• Joe Caubo, Mississippi Power Company
• Aaron Craddock, Randall Reilly
• Stefan Eitzinger, Drummond Company, Inc.
• Paulo Gonzalez, Drummand Company, Inc.
• Erika Hailes, Conversant Biologics
• Nate Hall, Hubbard Properties, Inc.
• Don Hersh, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Inc.
• Cody Higgins, Social Security Administration
• Zeph Isom, Universal Lighting Technologies
• Jason Kennedy, Southeastern Plateworks, LLC
• Josh King, WTI Transport
• Shannon Lewis, Conversant Biologics
• Heather Martin, Mercy Regional Medical Center
• John Mathison, Booz Allen Hamilton
• Ryan McDaniel, Nissan of Smyrna, TN
• Neil Morton, Moultrie Products/Pradco
• Jeremy Phelps, Nissan North America
• Pritha Powell, Regions Financial Corporation
• Bradford Price, All-South Subcontractors, Inc.
• David Reiniger, The Boeing Company
• Jordan Reynolds, Missile Defense Agency
• Kimberly Rose, BBVA Compass
• Eric Satterfield, Neptune Technology Group, Inc.
• Beth Smith, Progress Rail Services
• Joey Snowden, McLeod Software
• Richard Spears, DRS Technologies
• Erik Spencer, Walter Energy
• Michael Stanley, U.S. Navy
• Mike Starnes, Heidelberg USA
• Edward Stringfellow, Stringfellow Technology Group, Inc.
• Tom Thayer, Frank Management Group, Inc.
• Tommy Walker, Speedy Tire and Service, Inc.
• Nic Ward, Hexcel
• Dorthea Yarbrough, U.S. Army – AMRDEC

Strickland Awarded the Sullivan Faculty Award Update

• April 12th, 2016
• in Behind the Scenes: Meet our Staff & Faculty, EMBA Elite Spotlight Series

Dr. Lonnie Strickland, John R. Miller Professor of Strategic Management, is the 2016 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Faculty Award honoree. Considered the highest honor The University of Alabama offers. Recipients of the award have demonstrated the highest standards of scholarship, leadership, and service. The Sullivan Faculty Award recognizes the practical application of noble ideals and is based on excellence of character and service to humanity.

Strickland currently teaches Strategy Formulation and Implementation in the Tuscaloosa and Huntsville EMBA Programs. He began teaching at Alabama in 1969 and is one of the founders of and has taught in every EMBA class at Alabama since its inception 31 years ago. He has won every major teaching award the University has to offer. He is also ranked first, second, or third when graduating Culverhouse students are asked a version of the following question, “Name one person who has had a significant influence on your life at Alabama.”

A rigorous, demanding and passionate professor as well as a skillful raconteur who is held in high esteem by his students.  According to Jimmy Mauldin (EMBA 2002), Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy-Accra Ghana, “Lonnie Strickland’s classes on strategic management always come to mind … even 13 years later.”
The impact of Strickland’s teaching is evident in the stories our alumni continue to tell. “We grew market share of a key product in a growing segment from 15% to ultimately 100% ($200M annual run rate) over a seven-year period using principles of Michael Porter’s 5-forces model taught in Lonnie Strickland’s Strategy class,” according to Kevin Morgan (EMBA 1998), Director of Cloud and Services Marketing, ADTRAN, “and along the way we put competitors out of business.” Strong testament to the power of a course and a professor who strives to make a difference in a student’s life.

“To Lonnie, teaching is a vocation, not a job,” said long time peer and friend, Dr. Ron Dulek, John R. Miller Professor of Management, and EMBA Professor of Business Communications. “I can assure you, as one who sees him daily either before he goes or after he returns from class, he is as excited about and dedicated to teaching well today as he was in 1969 when he started teaching at Alabama.”

Strickland is co-author of the best-selling strategic management textbook, Crafting and Executing Strategy, which is currently used at 900 universities worldwide. Along the way he has served as National President of Phi Kappa Phi; served on various local, regional and national Boards of Directors, including two Fortune 1000 size companies: the Statesman Group and American Equity; co-founded a number of smaller companies and has been an advisor to countless students in their efforts to start small businesses or advance their corporate careers.

Dr. Strickland has been a tremendous supporter of the EMBA Program and continues to be an inspirational source for our students and alumni.  Congratulations Lonnie.

Donna Blackburn, Director, EMBA Program
For more information on The University of Alabama Executive MBA Program contact Cheryl Altemara at 205.348.4501, or caltemara@cba.ua.edu.

2015 National Champions Set An Example For Us All

• January 20th, 2016
• in UA EMBA Latest News/Events

Roll Tide and Happy New Year to everyone.  What a wonderful way to kick off the new year with an exciting and remarkable season for Alabama Football…by far the best season I have seen to date and best National Championship game also.  Congratulations to our 2015 CFP National Champions the Crimson Tide.

As I was reflecting on this game and entire season, the familiar theme, a “tradition of excellence” kept ringing in my head. We see this focus on excellence in The University of Alabama’s many athletic and academic programs … but I was thinking what about a “what’s next?” part.

As an Alabama alumnus, I need to carry with me this tradition both at home and work. It is an honor to be the recipient of the many efforts and sacrifices of the University students, staff, faculty and benefactors who ensure that the University and its many “products” remain excellent. I take great pride in serving my University, but I am also aware there is much more I could be doing to be better.

I realize that completing the Executive MBA Program from an accomplished and highly recognized institution is no guarantee of success, but by striving for excellence in our everyday duties we increase our odds at exceeding our goals.

My take-away from the 2015 Alabama football season is to constantly and relentlessly strive to become better and to focus on achieving excellence. We should translate the efforts we see from our remarkable student-athletes from the playing field to the boardroom, the workroom, the shop floor, and within our families. The students, alumni, faculty and staff are both a reflection of The University of Alabama as the University is a reflection of us and our legacies to our families, communities and to the world.
The outcome of this season (and Coach Saban’s frequent remark of this being a special team that following a one season loss made a commitment to do their job and finish) made me look more closely at their accomplishment and what we should want to achieve. The 2015 National Champions are an example to us all to continue working hard, to become better and to be relentless, especially when the circumstances surrounding us tempt us to take the easy road and put forth only a “good enough” effort. I hope their example inspires me and others for many years.

Roll Tide Roll!

Roberto Carmona (TEMBA 2011)