The weekend cohort program at Wright State's Lake Campus offered the perfect opportunity to keep up with my aggressive travel schedule throughout my business region. And I also had enough time to excel in my MBA program. Meeting every other weekend in a supportive, cohort environment helped me to maximize my learning in each of my MBA classes. Taking a few additional classes at the Dayton campus allowed me to earn a dual-MBA degree. I would recommend Wright State's MBA program to any business professional in any stage of their career.
Ted was selected to speak at the Lake Campus, 2011 MBA Graduation Ceremony.
Read excerpts from his insightful speech. Highlights include: What does it mean to earn an MBA? Where do we go from here? What is the importance of the MBA degree to our careers?
Ted Holthaus, Regional Business Manager
Central Life Sciences
2011 MBA, Dual Concentrations in International Business; Management, Innovation and Change
2011 Outstanding Graduate Student Award recipient, Department of Management and International Business
I believe that as a PhD scientist in R&D, my MBA gave me a business perspective that many scientists do not have, or take many years to develop from experience.
I chose Wright State ’s program because it is focused on technology and innovation, and is offered on a weekend basis which worked well with my schedule. I would recommend the Raj Soin College of Business’s MBA program to anyone. The professors are great, and the program teaches valuable skills.
Andy Blumberg: Manager Production Control - Pioneer Automotive Technologies
Andy Blumberg
With my background in Engineering and Lean, I have always been a systems person. When I was presented with the opportunity to lead a small team, I jumped at it; but I knew I need to add some new tools to my tool box. This program gave me those tools. From new ways of looking at leadership with Dr. Dewett, to understanding the impact of IT Systems integration with Professor Hopkins, and gaining an understanding of the building blocks of business, I've learned essential leadership and business skills. I have been able to bring new skills to my organization, doing things with a new perspective and I am getting results.
The Raj Soin College of Business weekend MBA was the right program at the right time. It is a 15 minutes door to door from my office and from my home. The class format of alternating weekends allows me to structure my time so that in addition to doing class work; I still have time to travel of off weekends. My wife and I had our fist child two weeks before classes started. I completed my degree before my son asked me to come outside and play.
I found my class mates to be diverse and insightful. Each brings with them experience, intelligence and an interest in learning.
Josh Brown: Pricing Analyst - LexisNexis
Josh Brown
I believe an MBA from Wright State will allowed me to gain a competitive advantage among other candidates for future positions. The additional knowledge that I have gained via the program coupled with the strength of the Raj Soin College of Business is definitely be beneficial to me when competing for a promotion or a new position.
After extensive review of the other programs, I chose Wright State based on the quality professors as well as the manageable course schedule. The weekend program was truly the best fit for me. Also, you cannot beat the quality education you get for the reasonable price. Other institutions charge much more for a program that is this less convenient.
I really enjoyed the French Business and Society in the Global Economy class in Paris over spring break. It was an excellent program for individuals, like me that don't travel internationally all that often. My experiences allowed me to develop as a student, employee and as a person. I learned almost as much in the markets and cafes interacting with people as I did in the classroom.
I recommend the weekend program every time I get the opportunity. I have a few people on my team at work, that are always very excited to ask first thing on Monday morning what I did in class over the weekend. It is interesting to see that they are this excited to hear my stories and hear what new information I learned over the weekend.
Roger Fenner: Director Command & Control Center - SiemensI really see getting my MBA as essential to advancing my employment status. My undergraduate work was in a technical field and I have in that area. Having my MBA extended the versatility in my skill set and created options for employment outside of my current field. For example, “Survey of Accounting” has been very valuable to me. I'm now able to read and understand my company's financial statements which helps me better plan and prepare to meet our corporate challenges.
I chose the Raj Soin College of Business weekend MBA program because it provided me the flexibility I needed because of travel requirements for my job. Additionally, the competitive price of the program, while providing outstanding academic excellence, was a large attraction.
I regularly recommend this program to my co-workers and friends. Meeting only every other week allows you to have, at least a lit bit of a life. Don't get me wrong. The requirements are tough and the workload is strenuous. However, with one full week between classes, I can focus on my MBA assignments and get the optimal return from efforts and the excellent faculty who teach in the program.
Beth Pepper: Senior Client Sales and Marketing Leader - Alliance Data
Beth Pepper
The Wright State Weekend MBA Program has afforded me the opportunity to broaden my professional network, learn from professors with real business experience and attend classes on weekends for a better work/life balance.
I chose Raj Soin College of Business because of the value that an MBA from WSU provides and also for the convenience of taking weekend courses. I also really enjoy the every-other weekend schedule; I travel a lot for work so it would have been difficult to commit to regular week day classes.
Cheryl Spillman: Assistant to the Director, The Center for Excellence in Human-Centered Innovation, Wright State University
Cheryl Spillman
I chose the WSU MBA cohort program because I am a big-believer in collaborative teamwork and helping others. As a student in the Project Management track I have been most impressed with the exposure to industry experts and members of the Project Management Institute. Dr. Baker arranges for guest speakers from a vast array of industries such as data warehousing, manufacturing, government, and construction to visit our classes weekly. Each speaker brings practical experience and real-life examples to the forefront and also takes time to answer students' questions in-depth. The speakers not only share their successes but also narratives of setbacks and lessons learned. I can think of no other MBA program with a Project Management track which stresses the importance of creating and cultivating industry relationships with proven, successful program managers.
My position at the Ohio Center of Excellence for Human-Centered Innovation at Wright State University allows me to help create, support and facilitate multi-disciplinary research teams. I work with Dr. Jennie Gallimore, Director of the Center, more than 60 affiliates, numerous community partners, and dozens of graduate students. With a multitude of projects to manage, every day is different, exciting, and allows me to help others. As a result of my experience in the MBA cohort program, I am more prepared to add business value to research teams that are solving global problems and producing innovations that have a clear human impact. My MBA coursework has also helped our teams ensure that we are cognizant of excellence in project management in every undertaking for the Center.
photo of Prof. Todd Dewett
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