Silicon Valley’s Top Executive MBA: Santa Clara University Executive MBA Sets Enrollment Record
The Santa Clara University Executive MBA program (EMBA) enrollment increased 85% over last year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that caused plummeting college enrollment, estimated by the Fitch Rating Group to be as high as 20%.
This is the second year running that the elite graduate program for aspiring leaders has set records. The EMBA class of 2022, numbers 37 experienced executives, many from top Silicon Valley companies including Cisco Systems, Google, Juniper Networks, IBM, Intel, and Qualcomm. Classes started on August 10th for the program that ranks 11th in the nation by US News and World Report.
This Fall’s class also stands out for its gender balance and maturity. Thirty-eight percent of the class are women, significantly exceeding a national norm of 29%. The average age is 41, topping the national average age of 38, with an average 17-years of work experience, which is higher than the nation’s average of 13 years. There are also two Ph.Ds in the class with around one-third of the class already holding other graduate degrees.
“Clearly, the high quality of a Santa Clara University EMBA experience trumped a once-in-a-century cataclysmic event,” explains Dr. Kumar Sarangee, the program’s faculty director. “Because of our excellent curriculum and seasoned faculty, we have always attracted stellar students. The incoming cohort is proof of that. We have Vice Presidents, Senior Directors, Directors, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs who want to learn how to be innovative and impactful leaders. Also, our students come from diverse industry sectors including high technology, financial services, consumer packaged goods, and consulting.”
The 20-month program, which meets twice a month from Friday evening until Saturday evening, provides the flexibility required by today’s executive candidates. Above-and-beyond a required core curriculum that has been designed according to current needs & trends, students personalize their education through a number of innovative electives.
“I opted to do the Executive MBA at SCU because the program teaches with real-world examples, an extremely unique aspect of the program,” explained Satendra Prasad, Lead Research Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific
The program also goes beyond the traditional “lecture and learn” format to feature a number of experiential elements that fulfill the needs of both the student and business community. Hands-on learning covers participation in professional communications and leadership exercises, along with change management and mindfulness simulations and executive-led innovation workshops.
“My decision to choose Santa Clara University for their Executive MBA program was primarily based on a very strong recommendation by an SCU Alumnus as well as the school’s impressive Top 11 ranking and reputation in this specific program. I am extremely excited to begin the 20-month long journey with some of the greatest and smartest people,” said Monika Salquist, Director of Finance, Accelitas Inc.
Senior Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, Dr. Toby McChesney, in the Leavey School of Business summed up the challenges of offering post-graduate, executive education programs in a distance learning, pandemic environment.
“We are very proud of our incoming EMBA cohort who represent a talented group of students. We pivoted quickly to adapt to the online environment in recruiting and we were still able to keep our personal touch to assist our students. Our enrollment team worked hard to tap local talent in Silicon Valley,” he said.
“The Executive MBA program at SCU successfully overcame challenges and ambiguities that one could never have anticipated and our incoming class is poised to exemplify those very same qualities that are needed in leaders in the new world of business,” explained Dr. Naren Agrawal, Dean, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University.
Santa Clara Launches Inaugural Executive MBA Industry Group
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Santa Clara University recently launched its Executive MBA Industry Group to solidify the program’s visibility, quality and brand reputation.
The inaugural Executive MBA Industry Group members includes:
- Gautam Aggarwal MBA ‘04, Chief Marketing and Product Officer, Bidgely,
- Sophie Ames, SVP & Chief Human Resource Officer, Veritas Technologies, LLC
- Carolyn Crandall ‘86, Chief Deception & Chief Marketing Officer, Attivo Network, Inc.
- Gene Domecus EMBA ‘05, Chief Finance Officer, Peerspace
- Martin Juarez EMBA ‘08, VP of Operations, Gigamon
- Paul Kagoo, VP, Corporate Strategy, Western Digital
- Anthony Vitale MBA ‘11, Chief Information Officer, Keypoint Credit Union
“We intentionally formed a diverse Executive MBA Industry Group with complementary educational backgrounds and cross functional expertise to help us develop innovative leaders and entrepreneurial executives who can shape Silicon Valley’s future” shares Kumar Sarangee, the program’s Director.
The 20-month Executive MBA journey goes beyond the traditional “lecture and learn” format to include experiential learning such as executive-led professional communication sessions and leadership exercises; simulations in crisis management, mindfulness, product development, innovation and change management; bootcamps in analytics, technology management and law.
The Executive MBA Industry Group has deep connections to Silicon Valley, prolific industry experience and proven track records of success in established companies as well as start-ups that will open doors and create a valuable and stimulating student journey.
“What’s unique about this industry group is that we sought to have both alumni and non-alumni participate since we value Silicon Valley experience and perspectives from a variety of viewpoints,” explains Toby McChesney, senior assistant dean of graduate business programs. “What is clear though, is this group’s passion to support SCU, enhance the program and brand reputation and engage our alumni community,” says McChesney.
The newly re-designed program is ranked 13th in the nation, according to US News & World Report and the program reached new heights with its nearly fifty percent female class enrollment. Learn more about our Executive MBA program.
Santa Clara Leavey Online MBA Lands in Princeton Review Top 25
Two years after debuting its Online MBA program, the Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business‘ offering earned a top 25 spot in the newest Princeton Review ranking.
Continue reading…The 5 Best Part-Time California MBA Programs
Despite the various challenges of doing business in California, the Golden State remains a powerful driver of business and tech innovation in the U.S. The state even outpaces Great Britain’s GDP in 2018, making it the world’s fifth-largest economy.
For business leaders looking to advance their careers in California without interrupting their current gig, a part-time MBA might be the optimal choice. Let’s take a look at the five best part-time California MBA programs.
5 Best Part-Time California MBA Programs
The UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Evening and Weekend MBA program was named best in the nation by U.S. New & World Report in 2019. This part-time MBA degree is typically completed in two-and-a-half-to-three years, affording students easy access to the Bay Area’s plethora of internship and employment opportunities. The experiential learning focus of the program ensures students have ample opportunities to take on hands-on projects as part of their studies. Tuition for part-time in-state students is $3,363 per credit and $3,363 per credit for out-of-state students.
The UCLA Anderson School of Management’s Fully Employed MBA Program (FEMBA) has been touted as “#1 in SoCal” for over 20 years by U.S. News & World Report. Anderson FEMBA students have three choices when it comes to the scheduling of their part-time MBA: Classes all-day on Saturdays, Tuesday, and Thursday evening classes, or the hybrid schedule, which combines online study with one weekend visit to campus each month. Participants can expect to spend two-and-a-half-to-three years to complete the FEMBA (with both accelerated and extended study options also available). FEMBA has a distinctly international focus, with a diverse student body, access to international study opportunities, and a required international project. Tuition is $42,420 per year.
The USC Marshall School of Business part-time MBA is ranks among the top 15 in the nation, according to U.S. News. The degree is designed specifically for early-career professionals and managers looking for a flexible schedule. The curriculum is divided into core business courses, all taken in the first year, then over 100 electives from which to choose. First-year MBAs can opt for one of two campuses in Los Angeles proper and just outside the city limits. The program duration is three years, and both accelerated and extended are available. With “deep roots” in Southern California and a global alumni network, part-time tuition is $1,912 per credit.
Santa Clara Leavey’s School of Business Evening MBA ranks in the top five part-time programs both among California state schools and national Jesuit schools. With evening classes twice per week, participants can expect to take two years to earn their MBA and must have at least three years of related work experience to begin the program. Located in Silicon Valley, Leavey offers students prime geographic access to tech companies for networking and employment opportunities. Part-time tuition is easily among the most affordable of the high-ranking CA schools, at $1,108 per credit.
The part-time MBA at UC Davis’s Graduate School of Management ranks in the top 9 percent nationally (28th overall). Students take Friday and Saturday classes at campuses in either Sacramento or the Bay Area and can choose between a two-year and four-year pace for their degree. The flexibility in location allows students the option of access to professional benefits of Bay Area or Sacramento. UC Davis also boasts an 83 percent first-year ROI following graduation. Tuition for part-time students is $1,520 per credit for in-state and out-of-state applicants.
3 More Online MBA Scholarships You Should Know
Last month, three of the best Online MBA scholarships in the U.S. caught our imagination. These advantageous opportunities can be found at celebrated academic institutions like the USC Marshall School of Business and the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.
However, we would be remiss if we stopped there. Here are three more Online MBA scholarships you need to remember before you start sending out applications.
3 More Online MBA Scholarships You Should Know
The Lehigh University College of Business and Economics FLEX MBA gives students the opportunity to participate in classes either online or on campus. The nationally-ranked program emphasizes values like leadership, social responsibility, and understanding global business. FLEX MBA students who have received an offer of admission as a regular students may be considered for a variety of scholarship options. For example, the Dean’s Scholarship may be awarded based on academic merit, and the Nanovic ‘60G Endowed Fellowship Fund will go to students who show outstanding performance within the FLEX MBA Program and “contribution to the program outside of the classroom.”
Dayton University’s MBA@Dayton offers tracks based on applicants’ academic and/or professional experience. Students can pursue the Foundational Online MBA, the Accelerated Online MBA, or the One-Year Online MBA, depending on their experience and goals. According to the school, applicants will be considered for “select competitive awards offered by the MBA@Dayton program or can identify private independent scholarships for which they can apply separate of the application or the federal aid process.”
The Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business has multiple scholarship opportunities in its Online MBA program. Enrolled students can apply for merit-based scholarships, including “a $1,000 Online MBA Referral Scholarship, and a $500 Online MBA GMAT Test Bonus for those who submit GMAT scores with an application.” In addition, Certificate of Advanced Accounting Proficiency (CAAP) program grads can apply for a $3,000 Online MBA scholarship.
New MBA Jobs at Five Tech Giants
As the line between business and information technology industries continues to blur, more and more professionals are looking to business schools and MBA programs to get them into the tech industry. Here’s a rundown of some New MBA jobs at five different tech giants: Continue reading…
