{"id":22737,"date":"2014-03-07T21:12:32","date_gmt":"2014-03-07T21:12:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=22737"},"modified":"2014-11-14T15:33:38","modified_gmt":"2014-11-14T20:33:38","slug":"fiu-executive-mba-program-increases-enrollment-by-33-percent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2014\/03\/fiu-executive-mba-program-increases-enrollment-by-33-percent\/","title":{"rendered":"FIU Executive MBA program increases enrollment by 33 percent."},"content":{"rendered":"
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The word is spreading about the substantial advantages of the innovative Executive MBA program<\/a> at Florida International University (FIU).<\/p>\n FIU\u2019s Chapman Graduate School of Business relaunched the program in January 2013. The initial class enrolled 21 students. One year later, the class that started in January 2014 has 28 students—a 33 percent increase.<\/p>\n \u201cI did nine months of research before selecting the program I wanted and FIU\u2019s EMBA, with its strong emphasis on leadership, is what I need,\u201d said Bianca Veloso, global sales process manager at Ecu Line, a global Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier. Veloso, with 12 years of experience in direct sales of a wide range of logistics services, runs the design, implementation and execution of sales processes at the global level.<\/p>\n \u201cI consult in 90 countries,\u201d she added. \u201cFIU\u2019s focus on international business is very important to my future.\u201d<\/p>\n The FIU EMBA\u2019s interdisciplinary, experience-driven curriculum is organized around four key decision-making areas: navigating in a global environment; building a high-performance organization; creating economic and social value; and developing and implementing strategy.<\/p>\n \u201cTeaching us what a global executive should be and how to view business decisions in an ethical, worldwide environment is why I selected FIU\u2019s EMBA,\u201d said Joseph Sinicrope, who retired after <\/strong>22 years in the U.S. Marines as an Intelligence officer. \u201cThe curriculum is operationally relevant and immediately applicable to today\u2019s world.\u201d<\/p>\n Sinicrope described his cohorts in the Class of 2014 as \u201ca phenomenally diverse, international group with strong backgrounds in many different sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuite frankly, I like discussing issues with people of maturity and experience,\u201d he said. \u201cIn classes, we\u2019re not just scratching the surface. We\u2019re digging deep.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin Dowd, associate director, Marketing & Recruitment, MBA & MIB Programs, pointed out that the majority of the people in the Class of 2014 are at a director level or higher.<\/p>\n \u201cThese professionals have on average 18 years of experience in different business and industry sectors, private and public,\u201d Dowd said.<\/p>\n Lilliam Folgueira (BBA \u201996) commented that the age and experience of the participants is making for an exciting environment. She said her decision to enroll was based largely on her future plans as served by a curriculum designed for today\u2019s business leader.<\/p>\n \u201cI carefully looked at the courses at other schools and discovered that FIU\u2019s EMBA will deliver the skills and tools I need to take my company to the next level,\u201d said this entrepreneur, co-founder of Projectability, a marketing firm that develops and manages more than 50 communication strategies and stakeholder analyses for a number of organizations.<\/p>\n \u201cI graduated 17 years ago and, quite frankly, I don\u2019t need to take courses that re-teach skills,\u201d Folgueira said. \u201cI need on-target insight and knowledge about today\u2019s globalized business environment. That\u2019s exactly what FIU\u2019s EMBA program offers.\u201d<\/p>\n Many students also praised the supportive staff and skilled and acclaimed professors as being instrumental in the decision-making process.<\/p>\n Immersion gets the group on the road to EMBA success.<\/em><\/p>\n In early January 2014, the 28 enrollees got together for an immersion week in the Florida Keys.<\/p>\n In addition to getting to know their cohorts, faculty and staff, the getaway included teambuilding activities and a range of presentations covering innovation, leadership and public speaking skills.<\/p>\n The EMBA program follows a hybrid format that includes online coursework and face-to-face classes held twice monthly at FIU Downtown on Brickell.<\/p>\n