2017 Best MBAs: Rose Glendinning, Michigan State (Broad)

Rose Glendinning

Michigan State University, Broad College of Business

“Kind, hard working, optimist, intelligent, dog lover, community focused, dedicated, supportive, respectful, and engaged.”

Age: 36

Hometown: East Lansing, Michigan

Fun fact about yourself: I was a teen Zookeeper at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI.

Undergraduate School and Degree: B.A. in Economics from Providence College

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Prior to enrolling in business school, I was small business owner of a coffee franchise. I continued to operate the store during the duration of my MBA program.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2016? Dell Technologies, Round Rock, Texas

Where will you be working after graduation? Dell Technologies, HR Generalist

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Over the past 2 years, I have held a variety of leadership positions. I was the V.P. of Community Relations for the Broad Women MBA Association during my first year, and currently, I serve the organization in the role of President. I was elected as the MBA liaison to the MSU Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management, and was responsible for the organization of the annual SHRM conference. As a second year student, I was identified as a student mentor for 4 first year teams, and had the responsibility to ensure that team dynamics and the adjustment to the MBA program were both successful. I was honored to have been recognized by my peers for my involvement within the MBA program, and was the recipient of the Outstanding MBA Student for the Class of 2017, and the Unity Award for the Class of 2017. A special award was also named in my honor, the Rose Award, which will be given going forward to an MBA student that demonstrates the Broad vision of community and exemplifies the term “Spartans Will.” I have been a Board member of FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation for the past 8 years, as well as volunteering and fundraising for The Bottomless Toy Chest, The Jimmy Fund, and Wolverine Human Services.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of the Rose award. To be recognized on such a grand scale for how I approach my everyday was (and is!) overwhelming and humbling. I was raised by parents who taught me to try my best and always give back, and I am full of gratitude and appreciation for my upbringing.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of the employee culture I created at my coffee shops. The environment fostered individual growth, the development of meaningful relationships, and dedication to fellow employees.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Favorite MBA professor is a tough question because the faculty at the Broad School are truly invested in the development of their students. One in particular who had a tremendous impact on my life and personal growth is Dr. Elizabeth Bain. She instilled a sense of tenacity in me that I never had before, and supportively pushed me to step outside my comfort zone to refine my business acumen and leadership presence.

What was your favorite MBA Course and what was the biggest insight you gained about business from it? Prior to business school, I had no formal exposure to Supply Chain. Therefore, I would identify Supply Chain Management Application taught by Dr. Judith Whipple as the class that provided me with the biggest insights. As a result of the class, I realized the impact Supply Chain has on Human Resources, and allowed a better perspective when approaching business cases.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose to attend the Broad School for my MBA because of its outstanding reputation, the high percentage of placement for graduates, the tuition rate, and the student class size.

What did you enjoy most about business school in general? During my time in business school, I enjoyed the challenges to my thought process from my professors, the insight I gained in developing business trends, and the relationships I developed with those within the program.

What was the most surprising thing about business school for you? I was most surprised by the culture of the program. It is amazing. The students at the Broad School are supportive of each other, focused on giving back to the community, and genuinely care about their fellow classmates. It is driven by the MBA office who is engaged with the student body, receptive to feedback regarding the program, and authentic in their communications. It was opposite to what I perceived an intense MBA program to be, and I am so thankful I chose Michigan State University.

What is your best piece advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s MBA program? I would recommend that the individual engage with our admissions office to schedule a day visit to campus.  During the visit, the applicant will have the opportunity to sit in on a class and shadow a current MBA student. It allows the applicant to get an in-depth snapshot of the culture of the program and allow them to visualize themselves in the classrooms and hallways.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about the Broad School MBA program is that Supply Chain is the only concentration. Not true! Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources are all strong departments, and Broad MBA graduates have high placements leadership roles upon completion of the program.

What was your biggest regret in business school? My biggest regret is not taking signing up for more courses outside of my concentration.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire all of them. I recognize that each individual student is in a different phase in their life- some are juggling being a new parent and a full time student, others are adjusting to life in the United States and an unfamiliar academic culture, while others are transitioning into a new career path. Each of my fellow students face challenges as they enter the building, and I admire the hard work, positive attitudes, and determination to succeed they bring to combat them.

“I knew I wanted to go to business school when…I felt I was hitting a professional plateau, as well as my ambition and desire to keep learning.”

“If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be… continuing to operate my coffee franchise.”

If you were a dean for a day, what one thing would you change about the MBA experience? I would create more opportunities to interact with the expansive alumni base. Alumni come to campus to recruit. However, it would be added value to also have them return to hold case workshops or round table discussions about relevant business topics.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I would ultimately like to be in an HR leadership position responsible for company culture and employee engagement.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I thank my family for who I am today.

Throughout my life they have shown me the importance of hard work, instilled in me the significance of giving back to those around me, and taught me to remove the phrase “I can’t do that” from my vernacular.

In one sentence, how would you like your peers to remember you? I would like to be remembered as a student committed to the Broad School who recognized the importance of relationships, was passionate about community service, and was dedicated to enhancing the MBA experience for her fellow students.

Favorite book: Little Women

Favorite movie or television show: Seinfeld

Favorite musical performer: Grateful Dead

Favorite vacation spot: Australia

Hobbies? Reading, being active outdoors, and playing with my dog Aggie

What made Rose such an invaluable addition to the class of 2017?

“If a Mount Rushmore existed for MBA students from MSU, Rose Glendinning would be on it.  Of the 150+ students currently in our program, if all were to participate in a poll to identify the most singular, exceptional representation of student leadership in the program, Rose would win that nomination handily. Her efforts span the gamut, from organizing (and cooking) dinners on holidays for international students who cannot travel home to personally booking the university president for a mentorship talk to MBA women. Rose never settles for the status quo or for a reduced expectation; she will work tirelessly and creatively to benefit her fellow students and the MBA program at every opportunity. Rose’s efforts in the MBA program led our Dean to create a professionalism award in her honor. A small business owner before coming to the MBA program (she still runs the business today), she does more in a day than others do in a week.

Rose has made the greatest impact in two spaces: empowering women and supporting non-profit agencies across Michigan. Through her direct planning, strategy and execution, the Women’s MBA association has increased their event and professional development planning 400%. She has participated in service efforts throughout mid-Michigan. These events range from socials to networking to skills development. As I write this, she is still hard at work developing programming to benefit her fellow students, and she is preparing to graduate in less than three months.

The more I ask about Rose in our student community, the more stories I hear of her excellence from her colleagues. A recent example: she personally wrote thank you notes to every first-year MBA student that was voted into a leadership position, to welcome them to student leadership and to support them in their new, intense roles. Finally, Rose has a humility that cannot be taught. Whenever she receives an award, she is truly grateful, but does not crave the attention. She then immediately reinvests in the programs and the people.

There are many fine MBA students graduating across the country, that exemplify all that their faculty and administrators wish to teach them in their growth to become tomorrow’s leaders and difference makers. Rose Glendinning is all that, and more. Truly a special person.”

Wayne Hutchison

Director, MBA – Academic and Program Services

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