'EMBA for Day' Gives a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Smith's Program

Prospective students gathered in an executive classroom in Van Munching Hall on May 6, 2017, to get a sneak preview of what it’s like to be an Executive MBA student at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.

The "EMBA for a Day” event began with an overview of the program and how Smith’s No. 10-ranked EMBA program uses executive and career coaching to help students advance in their careers.

“We want to develop a specific leadership development plan, tailor-made for you,” Academic Director Rob Sheehan said, adding, "We have an amazing set of coaches that we use in this program.”

Professor David Godes led attendees in a case analysis of JCPenney’s 2012 strategy shift that included eliminating discounts and employee commissions. The interactive discussion was followed by lunch with current Executive MBA students.

After lunch, four Smith EMBA alumni graciously returned for an alumni panel to answer questions from prospective students.

Angela Rowles, a Smith EMBA graduate and managing director at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., said, “I was able to immediately apply every single thing I was learning to my work the next day. It didn’t really feel like extra work because everything I was learning I was able to put into practice on Monday. Being able to apply it on a day-to-day basis was very impactful for me, and for my employer as well.”

When asked about the program’s return on investment, Ms. Rowles said, “I have a 65 percent higher salary than I started the program with. I wouldn’t have been able to get this position without the EMBA.”

To learn more about the UMD-Smith Executive MBA program, visit the Smith Executive MBA site or reach out to Shelbi Brookshire at sbrooksh@rhsmith.umd.edu.