Each MBA student is required to complete a Capstone project before graduation. MBA candidates, working alone or in pairs, recommend how to resolve a current strategic issue facing an organization. The projects are hosted by organizations at no cost to the host organization. To qualify for a Capstone project, the issue must be closely tied to the strategic direction of the firm (or a major division or department), allowing students to apply knowledge they have acquired throughout the curriculum. Organizations that have hosted Richmond MBA Capstones include:

Ace Hardware, Alfa Laval, Bon Secours, Bruster’s, ClearPoint Resources, First Market Bank, Genworth Financial, HHHunt Homes, Hourigan Construction, LandAmerica, Markel Corporation, MeadWestvaco, Moe’s Southwestern Grill , PhilipMorris USA, Theatre IV, Ukrop’s, and Virginia Biotech Park.

This year, Richmond MBA student, Baishali Mukerji, is doing a Capstone project for Salasar Sponge and Power Ltd, based in Chattisgarth, India. It is a Sponge Iron and Power company and is planning to expand its capacity by 50 MW by building a new plant. Baishali is working with them to create a financial feasibility model for the project as well as doing a sensitivity analysis, which would later be a part of the business appraisal to seek investors for the project.

The French MBA international residency participants (17 to Rouen, France) completed five International Consultancy Projects this summer. The companies they did projects for were: PauCaPlast, a manufacturer of single use plastic medical instruments; CAVAS, a manufacturer of mobile security control units for industrial sites and venues; Sesa Systems, a designer and manufacturer of visual management products; AUDIS, a maker of Top Cup brand of instant single-serving beverages and soups; and Valdepharm, a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Meet Kaye Vaughan. You may say that Kaye has education in her blood. Prior to coming to the University of Richmond, Kaye worked within the public school system. She started in the Robins School in 2000 assisting with what was then the Management Institute. As the program grew and transitioned into what is now become known as Executive Education, Kaye’s passion, dedication and loyalty helped her grow with the program. Now Associate Director of Programs, Kaye leads a team of three in developing, executing and evaluating programs for two distinct branches of Executive Education.

The Robins School of Business’ Executive Education program provides non-credit leadership, management and executive development programs to organizations around the country and is comprised of two distinct “arms,” if you will. They offer customized programs for companies looking to develop the talents and skills of their employees. The Executive Education team will assess company needs, identify strengths and then isolate opportunities for growth, ending in a tailored educational program targeting key performance areas. One the other side are the open enrollment courses. Here, any individual or group of individuals can sign up to benefit from the unique variety of classes. Whether you are interested in developing your communication skills, enhancing leadership skills or getting an Advanced Finance Certificate, Executive Education is where it’s at (among many other skill-based learning options). This combination of programs is a highly functional one. “It allows us to develop relationships with the business community,” says Kaye. Dean Jorge Haddock adds, “The Executive Education program structure allows for the flexibility to react and develop initiatives for the current market conditions.”

Through Kaye’s leadership, the program has outstanding growth, becoming a strongly profitable entity within the Business School. “It’s exciting,” Kaye says. “I’m proud to be a part of this team. I love the people I work with on a daily basis and the access to business knowledge and new trends.” One such trend is the increasingly important focus on the international aspects of business. From this perspective, Kaye has been able to collaborate with the Robins School International Programs department to find better ways to incorporate global learning. “It’s a whole new world for me. I am thrilled to have such an amazing opportunity. Through Executive Education, we can disseminate business knowledge worldwide. From a personal level, it allows me to learn and experience new cultures.”

On a broader level, Kaye says she enjoys witnessing the life cycle of a program, designing it and seeing it come to life as students learn and practice a new skill set. Kaye looks forward to seeing the program continue to grow, and ultimately hopes it will develop into a program that has its own dedicated building that can provide the venue and resources needed for a top-notch, internationally renowned Executive Education program, including the element of hotel-like rooms for overnight stays.

The MBA Program is celebrating the arrival of a new team member! Debbie Fisher (with over 17 years of experience at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business) came on board as of June 23, 2008, as the new Assistant Director for MBA Student Services. This newly created position is a long-awaited and much anticipated one.

In her new role, Debbie will primarily focus on three main categories:

1. Capstone Projects – Debbie will be an integral part in identifying meaningful Capstone projects for current MBA students. Capstone projects are a degree requirement for every MBA candidate. MBA students pull from both their work experience and the academic knowledge they have gained to approach a current strategic issue facing a participating company. Over a period of several months, these students take on the role of consultant, developing actionable goals and outcomes to address the area of interest or concern. Debbie’s role will be to continuously network and enhance existing relationships with companies throughout the local area and beyond, providing opportunities for both student and corporate development.
2. Internships – As part of her networking efforts, Debbie will work closely with students and local companies to determine their internship needs. The Robins School offers exceptional, well-versed students primed for employment in any business setting. By determining company needs and comparing those to student interests and goals, Debbie will be the MBA Program’s in-house student advocate, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between both student and company.
3. Employment – In conjunction with the plethora of resources offered by the University’s Career Development Center (CDC), Debbie will work closely with students to assist in their acquisition of a fulfilling permanent position within a desired company. Here again, Debbie’s networking skills will come in handy, as she keeps her “ears to the ground,” finding the opportunities that work for both the company and our students.

So, whether you are a student, alum or member of the local business community, you will soon come to recognize the name Debbie Fisher and the wonderful work that she does. Great things are happening in the MBA Program, and Debbie is just one of the signs. Welcome, Debbie!

For information on Capstone projects or to reach Debbie, call 804-289-8012 or e-mail her at dfisher2@richmond.edu.

The MBA Program at the Robins School of Business just launched a new MBA Blog, beginning in August. This new communication tool is a forum to connect prospective and current MBA students, with useful commentaries from MBA leadership and current MBA student bloggers. The blog can be found at http://blog.richmond.edu/mba. For more information, contact Richard Coughlan at 804-289-8553 or rcoughla@richmond.edu.

Executive Education hosted its second Human Resource Educational Forum on July 16th, in what has become a quarterly event at the Robins School of Business. After the first Human Resource Forum in April, at which participants were encouraged to provide feedback regarding future forums, it was decided that this program would be most beneficial as a quarterly event. The goal of the forums is to provide human resource professionals the opportunity to discuss the critical challenges they face, exchange ideas and solutions, and provide a networking opportunity for leaders of the Richmond human resource community.

This quarter’s event was a facilitated discussion led by Dr. Richard Coughlan, Senior Associate Dean for Graduate & Executive Education, where topics discussed included effective orientation and onboarding, dealing with the challenging employee, and managing talent development. The forum participants came from a wide variety of industries, experience, and backgrounds, which allowed for a lively and dynamic discussion. The next forum is scheduled for October and should again provide the Richmond business community with a valuable opportunity for open and honest dialogue relating to human resources.

Gangadhar Bathula, a chemical engineer born and educated in India, just completed the Robins School Mini-MBA program last spring. Bathula represents a growing number of international students from around the world now enrolling in the Mini-MBA. He was attracted to the program to assist him in launching his new invention, SteriPure, a filtered-water pitcher with an ultraviolet light that kills microbes. Bathula has found that creating the product was the easiest step in the enterprenuerial process, “The Mini-MBA helped me to better understand financial and marketing–related issues as well as how to run an enterprise,” relayed Bathula. Bathula has been successful in selling 100 - 200 pitchers a month in India. He is now trying to break into the U.S. market through his Web site, www.steripurewater.com, and was recently featured in Richmond BizSense and the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The Mini MBA®, is an intensive 14-week, evening, non-credit program for high-potential managers and professionals.  It provides a practical foundation in current business theory and practices.  Through case studies, lecture, problem-solving exercises and interactive class sessions, students obtain business knowledge and skills to adapt to their organizations.

Bolstered by its first-ever national ranking, University of Richmond’s MBA program saw a dramatic rise in the quality of applications this year. The average GMAT score among incoming students this fall is 619, reflecting a 27 point increase over last year’s average.  By comparison, only seven of the top 30 part-time MBA programs nationally reported a higher average GMAT score last year.

A total of 42 students enrolled this year from a pool of 73 applicants, 55 of whom had been admitted.  The new students bring an average of nearly seven years of work experience into the program.

“We are pleased that the program continues to attract many of the most seasoned and ambitious professionals from across central Virginia,” said Richard Coughlan, senior associate dean in the Robins School. “Our focus on rigor and quality seems to be hitting the mark with area organizations.”

Among the companies represented in this year’s class are major players in banking and finance including Capital One, SunTrust, Davenport & Co, and Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.  The service sector is represented by employees of United Parcel Service, McGuire Woods, and Ukrop’s, among others.  Finally, employees of McKesson, MeadWestvaco, Altria, Wyeth and Alstom Power will begin their graduate studies at Richmond this fall.

Eight students in the entering class already hold advanced degrees.  Four of them have completed doctorates, with one each in chemistry, biochemistry, philosophy, and textile, fiber, and polymer science.  Four others hold master’s degrees in various disciplines including English, psychology and computer science.