News Archive
Online MBA Program hosts a Newly Designed Residency in January 2022
By Jamie Boyle
ST. PETERSBURG (December 8, 2021) -- Starting in January, the USF Muma College of Business’ online MBA program will debut its newly designed residency program. The two-day event, held January 14-15, is an experiential residency required for all online MBA students who entered the program Fall 2020 through Fall 2021. The residency will be an annual event moving forward.
The online MBA program continues to be nationally ranked and respected, and USF leaders say this residency will strengthen the curriculum and its impact on students. Due to ongoing pandemic-related concerns and student feedback, the residency will be hosted online.
The online MBA is ranked No. 26 overall and No. 19 among public universities in the country, according to the latest U.S. News and World Report survey.
"We are extremely excited to host our newly designed online MBA residency in January 2022,” said Eric Douthirt, Director of MBA Programs. “We've incorporated high-impact elements with faculty and non-faculty partners, along with exceptional levels of engagement that will add significant value to the student experience of the program."
Despite being held virtually, the online MBA program team is determined to make the program an engaging hands-on experience. Because the online MBA curriculum is asynchronous, this will be the first time many of the students interact with one another in real-time.
“This residency is the premier opportunity for our students to build their network with their peers,” said online MBA Program Administrator, Lisa Yacso.
“In designing this event, we focused on creating a highly relevant and strategic event that will enable them to develop strong connections to use in future work together,” Yacso said.
The residency will include a panel of C-suite professionals discussing emotional resilience moderated by Lynn Pippenger Dean Moez Limayem, sessions on emotional intelligence led by Doreen MacAulay, networking sessions, and two extensive team-building experiences.
Students will enhance their understanding of strategic thinking in business through a workshop by Russell Clayton. Then, Clayton will lead students through a mini-case competition in which they will analyze opportunities for St. Petersburg’s Green Bench Brewing Company.
Students will hear directly from Green Bench Brewing Co-owner Nathan Stonecipher, who will share insights into their business model and potential strategies to further the company’s growth. The best solutions presented by the students will be shared with Green Bench’s leadership to influence their next move.
Further, students will learn how to build a culture of trust through an experiential workshop led by Tony Kong, Faculty Director of the Bishop Center for Ethical Leadership. Kong will walk the students through a detailed simulation in which students will need to negotiate extensively with many teams. “The simulation will teach students to work in teams and use ethical leadership to reach a common goal,” said Kong.
In addition, students will be able to connect with others in their industries, in their career paths, and with affinity groups that currently exist within the program. The affinity groups were introduced to the Online MBA program in the 2021-2022 academic year. They are designed for students to network with one another based on a common interest or experience. Current groups include Black Professionals, Entrepreneurs, and Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Women Professionals, Hispanic Professionals, along with others.
"I expect this residency will provide significant learning opportunities to improve social and emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and practice team-building and building trust with my peers,” said MBA student Campbell Horn.
“I'm hoping to network with my fellow students and learn more about the diverse group of professionals we have in the online MBA program,” Horn said. “I'm looking forward to forming meaningful connections with my peers and gaining insights into ethical leadership and management styles from the array of panelists and speakers at this conference."
Overall, the online MBA residency promises to be a stimulating event where students make lasting connections and enhance their business acumen.