{"id":9027,"date":"2010-08-05T16:17:17","date_gmt":"2010-08-05T20:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=9027"},"modified":"2017-06-28T09:21:33","modified_gmt":"2017-06-28T13:21:33","slug":"thriving-program-graduates-and-enrolls-record-numbers-updates-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2010\/08\/thriving-program-graduates-and-enrolls-record-numbers-updates-name\/","title":{"rendered":"Thriving program graduates and enrolls record numbers, updates name."},"content":{"rendered":"

The College of Business Administration\u2019s BBA+ program, long a popular option for working professionals, recently concluded another set of graduations: forty students in the 26th<\/sup> group of the BBA+ Weekend in February, 30 from the 6th<\/sup> Sunrise offering in April and 50 from the 27th<\/sup> BBA+ Weekend in May. Students and faculty were honored for their achievements and contributions at each festive gathering.<\/p>\n

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Weekend group 26 valedictorian Tammi Calarco with Cliff Perry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Weekend group 26<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sunrise group 6 valedictorian Amanda Duarte with Cliff Perry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Sunrise group 6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Valedictorian of the group graduating in May, Manuel Lopez<\/strong> (BBA \u201910), sales rep, Buckeye International, had no choice about getting his bachelor\u2019s degree—it was a requirement of the job. But what about his choice of where to get that necessary degree?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Professional BBA<\/a> was the only way for me to go to school,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause of its structure, I knew I would have the courses I needed when I needed them, and be able to graduate in the quickest amount of time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Weekend<\/a>
Manuel Lopez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the convenience, Lopez, like so many other students in the program, formed strong ties with his group, calling them \u201can extension of my family, versus meeting strangers in classes,\u201d and crediting them with \u201clifting up my spirits and helping me not give up. I am valedictorian because of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Weekend group 27<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Program undergoes refinements, expands experiences for students.<\/em><\/p>\n

Enrollment numbers for fall 2010 are robust and future groups will experience some interesting changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have renamed the program the Professional BBA, which we feel better reflects the times,\u201d said Cliff Perry<\/strong>, faculty director, noting that the Chapman Graduate School offers a Professional MBA.<\/p>\n

In addition, the weekend option has been updated to make it even more convenient. Like the Sunrise offering, elapsed time is 18 months, down from 21 months, and the program incorporates online technology to significantly reduce class time.<\/p>\n

Also new in 2010: a study abroad. A 42-person group comprising students, trip leader Doreen Gooden<\/strong>; Sonia Verdu<\/strong> from the Center for International Business Education (CIBER), which helped organize the trip; and Angie Letona<\/strong>, coordinator, Professional BBA programs, traveled to Spain, Italy and France.<\/p>\n