Features
An Introductory Letter from Dr. Brent Chrite, Associate Dean
Dear Eller MBA Alumni:
I’m delighted to welcome you to the inaugural issue of Eller MBA e-News. During my seven months at the University of Arizona, I’ve very much enjoyed the opportunity to get to know many of our alumni and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the near future. This newsletter represents an essential step in reaffirming our commitment to more effectively communicate and interact with our MBA alumni in a way that is both mutually beneficial and sustainable. Our alumni are critical stakeholders for the program and one of my highest priorities is to harness the experience, energy, market insights and commitment of all of you as we work to increase both the excellence and reputation of our program.
I left the University of Michigan for the University of Arizona because I believe in the long-term potential of this College and this MBA program. We have a great public research university as our base, a committed and highly-regarded faculty, committed and generous stakeholders (including alumni) and we have assembled an outstanding team in the Eller MBA office. I know how extraordinarily competitive and volatile the graduate management education market is. But I also understand how to compete in that market. I believe we are well positioned to do so. We have recently taken some steps toward this end.We have fundamentally overhauled our curriculum (with a faculty vote of 85% in support of our changes). These changes have resulted in a more dynamic and market-based approach to MBA education. We are working hard to create a much less ambiguous brand identity in the market. This includes thinking critically about our value proposition, aligning it with market needs and with our own intellectual/programmatic strengths. Moreover, we are manifestly committed to globalizing the “lens” through which our students view business. In addition to new courses in international business, several teams of Eller MBA students will be working on the ground with South American small business owners this summer to assist them in gaining access to U.S. and EU markets. We are actively engaged in increasing our fundraising capabilities so that we can provide more scholarship resources and programmatic innovations (like the Andean region opportunities) for our MBA students.
You should also know that we are investing considerable time and resources in managing one of the most critical elements of our program—the admissions pipeline. For the first time, Eller is holding a pre-admit weekend whereby we’re bringing in many of our top recruits in order to convince them that this is the place they want to be. The College will be covering much of their expenses for this. We are putting extensive resources in our family of publications including admissions and recruiting brochures, newsletters and ultimately into our Web site. In other words, we will be redefining the Eller MBA brand and the medium through which that brand is introduced and strengthened.
Finally, we are committed to broadening the experience of our MBA students. We will challenge them to think differently about business and the world. We will strive to have them operate out of their comfort zones (whether it’s in Bolivia, Equator, Southeast Asia or the financial markets of Western Europe); we will work to develop students who are able to become value creators in whatever field or industry they select.I am excited about these changes. I want you to know that we are committed to creating momentum at the Eller College. Then we are going to come to you … for your guidance, assistance, support and input. We will be in touch toward this end very soon. Thank you.
Warmly,
E. LaBrent Chrite
Associate Dean and MBA DirectorMore Dynamic, Flexible Curriculum
The Eller MBA Program has finalized a revamped curriculum for the full-time program. This curriculum, launching in fall 2004, has several significant changes. The most visible change is the introduction of shorter courses, with more contact and substance per course. Specifically, students will take six eight-week courses in their first semester, along with a 15-week course on business and managerial communications, and a professional and leadership development series. The total course load will be reduced from 18 units to 15 units to facilitate and engage students in a more interactive, reflective learning and professional experience. Students will also have more choice in elective offerings in the first year.
Along with the in-class experiences, the Eller MBA will include touch points—targeted contact with public and private sector firms, executives and experiences. Touch point interactions allow our students to become meaningfully engaged with a variety of companies while they are grasping the fundamental elements of a business education foundation.
New MBA Program Professional Staff
Over the past six months, the Eller MBA has hired seven new staff members, including new Associate Dean and Director of the MBA Program, E. LaBrent Chrite. Brent joins the Eller MBA from the University of Michigan Business School, where he was the Managing Director of the William Davidson Institute, an international center dedicated to developing and disseminating expertise on issues affecting firms in transition economies. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Michigan, as well as a M.S. in Health Care Administration (University of Missouri) and a B.A. in Community Health Services (Michigan State). Brent has been actively involved in research and outreach in transition and emerging economies around the world, including Eastern Europe and Southern Africa and has taught courses in corporate strategy and international business for sub-Saharan Africa.
Simone L. Pollard joins the Eller MBA staff as the new Director of Career Development. Simone comes to Eller most recently from New York City where she worked for several years as a management consultant with Sibson Consulting, a division of The Segal Company. Simone consulted to Fortune 100 organizations in a variety of industries. Prior to her tenure as a consultant, Simone worked as a production engineer in manufacturing for Monsanto Chemical Company in St. Louis, MO. Simone has worked internationally and spent time in Cape Town, South Africa, where she worked for an investment organization, and in Accra, Ghana where she was a consultant for a U.S.-based transportation organization. Simone earned her MBA from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Virginia.
Linda Erasmus is the Senior Associate Director of Academic Services, overseeing the student services and curricular operations for both the full-time and working professional MBA programs. Linda has extensive work experience in academic advising, child and family counseling and psychology. She is originally from South Africa and attended the University of South Africa for both her B.A. and M.A. degrees. Linda is currently working on her dissertation for her Ph.D. in Higher Education at the UA.
Tanisha Price is the Associate Director of Academic Services. A native Tucsonan, she has worked for the University of Arizona for 12 years in various capacities from undergraduate admissions to graduate college programs and recruitment. Tanisha has a B.A. in Journalism from the UA and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University. She is actively involved in various organizations including the UA National Alumni Board, UA Black Alumni and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority graduate chapter.
Richard Boulger will join the Eller MBA Program in late March as our new Business Development Director. Rich is a retired partner from Accenture with over 25 years of consulting experience. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and a B.S. from the University of California at Davis.
Jovanna Owusu replaced Cindy Stella as Administrative Associate, providing budgetary management and administrative support. Jovanna has over nine years of experience in university settings, most recently at the University of Arizona’s Office for Continuing Education and Academic Outreach. Jovanna has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in political science with a minor in business administration.
Cristal Wilber is the new receptionist for the Eller MBA program. She has provided administrative services in a variety of corporate, military and legal environments. Cristal is pursuing her business degree at night and hails from Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Student Profile: Marshall Kappel, Photographer Extraordinaire
Marshall Kappel remembers exactly what he was doing on the morning of September 11th, 2001, as do most Americans. He was living a few blocks from the World Trade Center and remembers vividly the sound of the plane crashing into the towers. Marshall captured photographic images in the days, weeks and months following the tragedy, in his attempt to “capture the emotionally rich reactions of ordinary people responding to disaster….” His work was featured at the Chicago Peace Museum in 2002 in an exhibit titled “America 9/11.”
Marshall is currently a first-year MBA student at Eller and brings a rich perspective and diverse background to the program, having most recently worked in the fashion industry. His professional work includes stints at both Armani Exchange and LEI, where he served as creative director. Marshall’s experience there led him to start his own company, Gypsylink, providing creative services in marketing to fashion clients.
Marshall has recently been accepted by the Fulbright Scholar Program to go to Romania for one year and conduct a “Cultural Assessment of Economic Well-being in Romania.” He believes that current statistical approaches don’t adequately capture the economic situation in Romania and plans to take an ethnographic, anthropological approach to his study. Marshall is also pursuing a dual degree with Thunderbird—The American Graduate School of Management. Upon graduation, he hopes to develop his business expertise via traditional corporate employment before starting his own business again.
Eller MBA Students Compete Against Carnegie Mellon, ASU, and MIT in Prestigious Honeywell Growth Challenge
Eight teams of first-year MBA students, joined by eight second-year Entrepreneurship MBAs as team leaders, are participating in the dynamic Honeywell Growth Challenge. They are tasked with identifying new applications and opportunities for existing Honeywell Aerospace technologies, ranging in projects from nanotechnology to satellite communication. Student teams have access to Honeywell engineers, managers, and business contacts.
The final phase of the Growth Challenge will include a semifinal round of competition at each school, with the top team from each school participating in the final round in Phoenix in late March. In the final round, student teams will present their concepts and business plans to Honeywell executives. The winning team will split a $50,000 cash prize. The winning institution will receive $100,000.
Office of Career Development Launches Executive Mentoring
Executive Mentoring, featuring five senior-level executives, provides MBA students with the chance to meet, one-on-one, and gain advice on job search strategies, glean career insights or receive personal mentoring. These five executives represent a variety of industries and career functions and bring significant professional experience to share with current students.
Featured executives are Bill Bowen, former Vice Chairman of Heidrick & Struggles, a global executive search firm; Harold “Bud” Bray, Co-founder of Jannotta Bray and Associates, a career management and outplacement firm, and former Senior Vice President for Wells Fargo; Kirt Gardner, former President and CEO, NovaNET Learning, Inc. and former President, Steuben Glass; Bill Markus, former Partner in Ellmark Associates, a consulting firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and mergers and acquisitions; and, Harry Mulliken, former Chairman and CEO of Westin Hotels.
Alumni News
Eller College Namesake, Karl Eller, Inducted into Advertising Hall of Fame
Karl Eller, UA graduate (1952), and noted Arizona business leader and entrepreneur, has been selected as a 2004 inductee into the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) Advertising Hall of Fame. Eller becomes the first Arizonan and second outdoor advertising executive inducted. According to AAF President and CEO, Wallace S. Snyder, Eller’s “vision and creative innovations in the advertising world and [his] limitless volunteerism [are] just two of the many reasons for [his] selection.”
Eller’s career includes over 50 years in the field of outdoor advertising, most recently as chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor. He also held positions as president and CEO of Columbia Pictures Communications and CEO and chairman of the board of Circle K Corp. Eller was also a founder of the Phoenix Suns basketball team and was instrumental in bringing professional football to Arizona.
We are grateful for Karl’s endless contributions to the College, including last year’s gift of over $400,000 to the Eller MBA Program to assist in the recruitment of future MBA students. Thanks and congratulations Karl!
Save the Date—Alumni Weekend
Plan to attend the 3rd annual MBA Alumni Weekend, September 17-18, 2004 in Tucson. You'll enjoy two days of professional and social activities to engage and reconnect. More information will be released later in the year. The Arizona football team will play the University of Wisconsin that weekend in a Pac-10 versus Big Ten battle.
Update Us on Your Contact and Career Information
Help us to keep in touch with you for events, opportunities to get involved and publications. There are two easy ways to keep us up-to-date on your whereabouts. If you know your Eller MBA Web login and password, you can visit: http://alumni.eller.arizona.edu. Don’t know either of these? You can fill out the Web form located at www.eller.arizona.edu/alumni/updates and we’ll update your information for you.
Career Development Resources Available to Alumni
The Office of Career Development (OCD) has several career-related services available to alumni. You have access to online resources, a job posting board and one-on-one assistance, including the ability to make an appointment with Simone Pollard, Director, OCD.
To access the online resources, you can visit http://ellermba.arizona.edu/career. Simone can be reached at mbaocd@eller.arizona.edu.
Get InvolvedAlumni Survey—Coming Soon
In the next two months, we will be surveying a sample of alumni regarding your needs and interests. This project is being managed by a group of first-year MBAs as part of their market research course. If you receive a survey, please take the time to complete it and help us understand both how you would like to be involved in the Eller MBA Program as well as what types of services you desire as a business school alumni.
Eller MBA To Launch Preview Weekend
On April 16th and 17th, 2004, the Eller MBA will host its inaugural Preview Weekend, a new event for all admitted full-time MBA candidates. This event provides a chance for admitted candidates to visit Tucson and experience the Eller community. Prospective students will attend a mock class and several panel discussions designed to give them relevant information on curriculum, career opportunities, and logistical issues such as housing. If you are interested in attending the cocktail reception and dinner to speak with prospective Eller MBAs about your experiences, please contact our Admissions Director, Natacha Keramidas, at natacha@eller.arizona.edu.
Interested in Calling Admitted Students?
Would you like to share your positive experiences as an Eller MBA student with potential students? If so, e-mail Natacha Keramidas at natacha@eller.arizona.edu. She will match you up with one or more potential Eller MBAs and you can help us sell these candidates on the benefits of Eller.
Alumni Engagement in Professional Development Activities
As part of our commitment to increasing the involvement of Eller alumni in programmatic activities, we invite you to contact us if you have an interest in providing expertise in several new workshops and activities that we are developing. Planned workshop topics include:
- The Importance of Internal Sponsorship/Mentorship as a Means to Success
- An Overview of Corporate Governance, from a Board of Directors Perspective and from a CEO’s perspective
- Typical Issues Faced by Boards, such as Executive Compensation, Succession Planning, Talent Planning, and Performance Management
Other ways in which alumni can be helpful include conducting mock interviews and providing functional and industry expertise to students and clubs/working groups. We would like to find alumni in several categories, including finance, marketing, human resources, operations management, MIS, small business/entrepreneurship, and not-for-profit/non-traditional MBA employment who would serve in an unofficial advisory capacity to students. If you are interested in participating, please contact Simone Pollard at mbaocd@eller.arizona.edu.
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