U.S. News ranks Broad MBA Program #29

Supply Chain ranked #2

The U.S. News & World Report 2004 rankings for full-time MBA programs were released today. The Broad School is ranked #29. The full results are available on-line, on the U.S. News & World Report website.

Among public universities, the Broad School full-time MBA program was ranked #14. In addition to the overall rankings, deans and MBA directors ranked the Broad School's Supply Chain Management specialty at #2. Production/Operations was ranked #14 and International Business was ranked #17.

In an announcement to MBA students, Robert B. Duncan, the Eli and Edythe L. Broad Dean, said that over the past year, the Broad School has enhanced the full-time MBA in several ways:

1. Professional Development Series: The Broad School introduced a new series of workshops and speakers that have featured high-level executives, including such nationally renowned figures as Dr. Jeffrey Wigand (the tobacco industry whistleblower portrayed by actor Russell Crowe in the movie "The Insider") and Don Schneider, chairman of Schneider National, Inc. (the largest full truckload carrier in North America).

   Several prominent alumni have spoken to the group, including Greg Heinlein (MBA Finance '87), vice president and treasurer for Fisher Scientific International, Inc. and Kathleen Barclay (BA General Business Administration'78), vice president-Global Human Resources for General Motors Corporation.

2. Placement Initiatives: The college introduced a new alumni networking program to help current students successfully achieve the next step in their careers. The program, known as Broad Career Coaches, matched students with alumni volunteers, who sometimes offered professional advice and encouragement. These alumni have generously offered professional advice and encouragement, and have even opened up their address books to help students network into valuable opportunities. The program will be expanded next year.

   MBA students also participated in several career treks and alumni receptions, with support from alumni and staff. Supply Chain MBAs visited companies in Dallas and Austin; the MBA Marketing Association went on treks to New York City and San Francisco; Finance students attended a trek in Chicago.

3. Diversity: The Broad School is partnering with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), a New York-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase minority representation in the business community. The Broad School joins a select group of 17 schools that work with MLT to enhance the preparation of underrepresented minorities in their application process to MBA programs.

4. Building the Broad culture. Duncan said, "We continue to leverage the advantage of our program's size to build a cohesive culture. A central component of this culture is communication and feedback." For example, the dean has hosted Sunday night dinners at his home in an effort to have students meet and talk in a more informal atmosphere about many issues. He noted that students also have more structured opportunities for dialogue and discussion, such as Town Halls and Student Advisory Council.

"Our success is a team effort," said Duncan. "With the continued support of our students and alumni, and the commitment of our dedicated faculty and staff, the Broad School will continue to be successful."