Penn State Smeal Launches Hybrid MBA Program

University Park, PA: “The Penn State Smeal College of Business is adding a dynamic hybrid MBA to its portfolio of graduate programs. Scheduled to launch in Fall 2025, prospective students are now able to apply for consideration for admission in the inaugural class.

The Smeal Hybrid MBA offers the ideal blend of best-in-class virtual learning with the invaluable networking and social structure of an in-person cohort program, on a schedule designed for working professionals, according to Brian Cameron, associate dean for professional graduate programs and executive education.

Programs like this are sometimes referred to as a part-time MBA, but what sets the Smeal degree apart is more than just time commitment, said Cameron. Students will participate in live, remote synchronous virtual classes on evenings and weekends and attend in-person residency sessions at Penn State’s University Park campus at the start of each semester. This powerful combination allows students to learn on a convenient schedule while also developing lasting relationships with peers and professors.

Cameron emphasized the importance of flexibility and network building for today’s professionals.

“The Hybrid MBA has all the collaborative benefits of taking a live course, including robust in-class discussions, Q&A and group work,” Cameron said. “Its structure allows working professionals to build business acumen and network on a schedule that isn’t disruptive to their career or family commitments.”

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DON’T MISS: PENN STATE SMEAL FINDS A NEW DEAN: OKLAHOMA PRICE’S COREY PHELPS

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Dean at Elon’s Love School of Business Departing From Role After 13 Years

Elon, NC: “Before coming to Elon, [Dean Raghu] Tadepalli came from a background of marketing and higher education as was Murata Dean and professor of Marketing at the F. W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College.

During his 13 years at Elon, Tadepalli achieved three successful accreditations with no recommendations for improvement, started new majors — such as business analytics, project management and human resource management — and roughly doubled the size of the business school.

According to the Registrar’s Report, the Love School of Business grew from 1,356 students when Tadepalli first came to Elon in 2012 to 2,145 students as of fall 2024.

Tadepalli said some of the best initiatives the business school has implemented throughout his time as dean came from students, such as an updated version of the internship report requirement for business majors.”

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2023 BEST & BRIGHTEST BUSINESS MAJOR: SAVANNAH JOSEY, ELON UNIVERSITY (LOVE)

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Retired NBA Exec Gives $8 Million to Endow a Sports Management Program at the University of Maryland’s Smith School

College Park, MD: “A trailblazing marketing executive with the Chicago Bulls has committed to give $18 million to his alma mater, the University of Maryland, to support the athletics program that launched his career—and the new sports management program that he hopes will launch many others.

The university announced on Tuesday that Stephen Schanwald ’77 has directed $10 million to Maryland Athletics to support its top priorities, and $8 million to the Robert H. Smith School of Business to endow its Sports Management Program and to provide scholarships for juniors and seniors taking courses in it.

“It’s a great blessing at this stage of my life to be able to have the opportunity to try to help young people grow and achieve their dreams,” said Schanwald, who retired from the Bulls in 2015. “The most rewarding thing to me is mentoring people and helping people climb the ladder the way I was helped.”

In recognition of his generosity, the Sports Management Program as well as the Xfinity Center Pavilion and Football Practice Fields at Jones-Hill House will be named for him; the Stephen M. Schanwald-Russ Potts External Operations Suite in the Xfinity Center will honor him and his former mentor at UMD.

“Stephen Schanwald left an indelible imprint on the NBA,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. “Now he’s doing the same for the University of Maryland and current and future generations of students, student-athletes and Terps fans.”

To read more, click here.