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Hear from our Students

Hear testaments to the value of a program firsthand from some of our graduates of the Philadelphia based Penn State Smeal Executive MBA Program.

Hear from our Students

There is no better testament to the value of the Smeal program than to hear firsthand from some of our current and former students. If you want to learn more please contact us at 866-999-3622.  We'd be happy to introduce you directly to one of the alumni featured below, or perhaps someone else whose background is more aligned with your interests.
Jeff Williams

Jeff Williams, Senior Business Analyst, Credit Policy
Capital One Financial

"My primary goal on entering an MBA program was to gain the educational background to support a mid-career transition from a purely technical engineering role to one with more of a business-orientation in financial analysis. In that aspect, Smeal Executive MBA Program was a complete success, helping me obtain a new career a month after graduating from the program.

I felt that my technical degrees combined with an MBA would give me the background I needed to move into a financial or quantitative position. However, it was the breadth of the Executive MBA program that really helped me obtain my current position. While the Finance and Quantitative Business Analysis classes come in handy every day, I also use what I learned in the Marketing, Strategy, Management, Operations, Teamwork and Communications classes as well. The ability to integrate the range of different business subjects together into a single curriculum is the strength of the Smeal program. And, it's what helps me succeed in my current position. Every decision that I make is based on a financial, strategic and marketing foundation. Such decisions are made much easier due to the integrated nature of the Smeal curriculum."
Sandra Ortiz

Sandra Ortiz, AVP, Corporate Capital Markets
Wilmington Trust Company

"Since graduating from the Executive MBA program, I was promoted to lead a new group charged with managing more complex and unique financial transactions and developing new products. I continue to apply the concepts and tools I learned throughout the program, but particularly from the leadership and strategy courses. In this new position, I have also made several very well-received presentations to the company's senior leadership and Board of Directors. I am constantly utilizing the communications skills emphasized in the program, where presentations and the importance of effective communication were incorporated across the curriculum. I further developed these skills in a supportive environment with insightful feedback from faculty and classmates.

I use what I learned at Smeal every day. I don't just think back to a particular course or certain professors. Smeal's well-conceived and comprehensive program, and its environment of engaged and supportive professors and students, have made it a valuable learning experience for me."
Bill Flederbach

Bill Flederbach, Senior Manager
O'Brien & Gere

"The Global Immersion was the pinnacle of the program for me. In one short week, I gained the ability and necessary insight to propose a new business venture in Southeast Asia for my firm. Contacts made during the trip with members of the Singapore Economic Development Board led to additional meetings in the U.S. Further, the Penn State Alumni network really showed its reach during the trip. I now have American contacts based in Singapore who work for some of the largest firms in the world. Few schools can offer connections like this."
Greg Gatesman

Greg Gatesman, Director of Private Banking and Trust Platforms
Merrill Lynch

"With the support of my employer, I could have gone to nearly any program. I chose Penn State Smeal because of the work ethic and accessibility of the faculty and the tailored focus of the curriculum. At Smeal you learn the basics of business, as you would expect, but they take it one step further by allowing you to bring specific projects from your firm right into the classroom. Working one-on-one with the Smeal faculty allows you to bring incredible value back to the firm on Monday morning."
Barb Lyke

Barb Lyke, Vice President, Central Engineering
Sungard High Availability

"I entered the program without financial support from my firm, so ROI was very important. I had plans to launch my own business upon graduation, and much of my coursework was incorporated right into my business plan. The new business launched successfully within three months of graduation. The entrepreneurship course was a key part in this success. Tony Warren and other faculty members were able to critique my business plans, allowing me to avoid mistakes I would have only found after starting up.

Now I'm on to my next challenge as the vice president of engineering for Sungard High Availability. Though my past prepared me for the technical aspects of this position, the real challenge in the job is management of diverse people, merging the different cultures, and the execution of the unit's business objectives. The Smeal Leadership Communications Program strengthened my abilities in these areas, allowing me to tackle this new position. As for the ROI, my business is successful, and the new position resulted in a 40 percent pay increase. Paying for the Smeal Executive MBA on my own was an easy decision."
Garry Duncan

Garry Duncan,  Managing Director, Foreign Exchange and Derivative Trading
PNC Capital Markets

"I'm continually impressed by the quality of the faculty, the program's level of response to input from students, and the atmosphere. For example, with faculty the relationships are much more collegial than the traditional student/teacher relationship. As a professional in the finance industry, I can interact with Professor Sheehan (associate dean of the program) as a friend, mentor, finance professor, and fellow colleague in the finance industry. We had numerous long discussions outside the classroom, and his years of experience have provided me with unique insights that have been invaluable to me, my company, and my career.

The Leadership Communications Program is another highlight. After just a few sessions with Professor Andy Gustafson, I realized a major presentation I was about to give could really use some work. Without hesitation, Andy sat down and gave me some one-on-one coaching to take the presentation to the next level. Ironically, a few months later, I spoke to my boss while she was working on a presentation. Using the knowledge I gained from Andy both in and out of class, I went over a few key points and helped her take her presentation to the next level as well.

To sum up, working with the faculty at Smeal is like having a personal cadre of some of the best consultants in the world. And, it's not like they run office hours from 2-4, and that's it. They are available when you need them, which is important when you are trying to balance school, work, and family."
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