Meet The Georgia Tech Scheller MBA Class Of 2026

Q&A with Manpreet Hora, Senior Associate Dean of Programs 

Poets&Quants: What have been the two most important developments in your MBA program over the past year? What type of impact will they have on current and future MBAs?

Hora: One of the most significant developments over the past year has been the expansion of flexible learning opportunities for our students. There is a growing need for adaptable learning formats and we have increased our portfolio of remote learning methods, enabling students to balance their education with professional and personal commitments more effectively. This initiative enhances accessibility and provides greater flexibility, ensuring that a broader, more diverse set of students can benefit from Scheller’s unique curriculum.

Additionally, we have introduced changes to our elective offerings to keep pace with evolving student needs. Recently, we started offering AI for Business, taught by Daniel Yue, and revamped Digital Marketing under the leadership of Emily Edwards. Moreover, Machine Learning for Business, taught by Lizhen Xu, has been developed from the former Business Intelligence and Analytics course to reflect the latest in machine learning applications. The launch of Cybersecurity Enterprise Management further strengthens our commitment to interdisciplinary impact.

Poets&Quants: What is one innovation that sets your school apart from your peer programs and makes you a business school to watch? Why is it so groundbreaking?

Hora: Scheller’s vision is to become the world’s most interdisciplinary, experiential, and connected business school. Our position within Georgia Tech, a globally recognized technological institute, allows us to seamlessly bridge business and technology, equipping students with the unique ability to navigate complex, cross-disciplinary challenges. By leveraging Georgia Tech’s expertise in engineering, computing, and innovation and fostering deep industry connections, we provide our students with unparalleled opportunities.

Poets&Quants: What types of programs do you offer to sharpen your students’ soft skills?

Hora: At Scheller, leadership and soft skills development is primarily managed through the CHARGE Leadership Development Program. This initiative helps students cultivate their leadership style and hone essential soft skills through interactive workshops, executive coaching, and unique experiential opportunities. Activities such as improvisation workshops, equine leadership experiences, and reflection-based coaching sessions challenge students to enhance their communication and decision-making abilities. By emphasizing personal growth and leadership agility, CHARGE ensures that Scheller MBAs are well-prepared to lead with confidence and resilience.

Students also have access to Tech Talks Business, a series of conversations hosted by Dean Anuj Mehrotra. Tech Talks Business brings executives to campus for candid conversations about leadership, strategy, and the evolving world of business. Past guests include the CEOs of The Home Depot, Goldman Sachs, UPS, NCR Atleos, Southern Company, and more. Through these interactive discussions, students gain invaluable insights that help them refine their leadership presence and sharpen their ability to navigate complex business challenges.

Poets&Quants: What types of programming does your school offer to expose students to country-specific and global business practices?

Hora: Scheller MBAs frequently highlight the MBA International Practicum as a transformative experience. This semester-long experiential consulting course enables students to collaborate with international clients on real-world business challenges, culminating in a week-long immersion abroad. This year, our students are headed to Japan and the Netherlands.

Through this experience, students engage directly with clients, receive real-time feedback, and gain invaluable exposure to global business environments, all while forging invaluable professional connections.

Poets&Quants: What are the most exciting new courses that your school is offering to MBAs this school year?

Hora: A standout new offering is the AI for Business course, taught by Daniel Yue. This course has quickly become a student favorite, providing hands-on experience with AI applications and helping students develop a strategic understanding of how companies integrate AI to drive efficiency and innovation. The course challenges students to push the boundaries of their AI knowledge, preparing them for leadership roles in data-driven industries.

Another exciting addition is the Enterprise Cybersecurity Management course, which bridges business and technology by offering insights into cybersecurity strategies from a managerial perspective. While initially offered to a smaller cohort, it represents an important step in equipping students with critical skills.

Beyond that, we are adding to our experiential learning portfolio. We currently offer 10 Business in Practice practicum courses across analytics, IT, real estate, sustainable business, and more, allowing students to tackle pressing business challenges for corporate, startup, and nonprofit partners and drive real-world impact. Recently, we received approval for two new practicum courses: the Technology Commercialization Practicum, led by Jonathan Giuliano, and the Project Management Research Practicum, taught by Charlotte Alexander. These additions reinforce our dedication to hands-on learning, ensuring that our students graduate with extensive practical experience.

Poets&Quants: Who are two new professors who’ve joined your faculty in the past year? What do they teach and how will they be difference-makers in your MBA program?

Hora: Emily Edwards joined our Marketing faculty from the University of Colorado – Boulder and has already made an impact by teaching Digital Marketing to MBAs. She brings valuable industry experience and expertise in digital strategy, ensuring students gain relevant insights into an evolving field. Interestingly enough, she began teaching her course remotely before her move to Atlanta, underscoring Scheller’s commitment to flexible and accessible education.
Daniel Yue, who joined the IT Management area from Harvard Business School, teaches AI for Business. His course has quickly gained traction for its innovative approach to integrating AI into business decision-making. His expertise and forward-thinking curriculum are preparing students to lead in a world increasingly impacted by AI.

Poets&Quants: What types of support does your career center and alumni provide to MBA students?

Hora: The Jones MBA Career Center offers consistent, personalized support to our MBAs, helping them achieve their individual career goals. Students begin working with their career coach before even starting the program, engaging in summer assignments designed to assist with career decision-making and professional preparation. Career support continues with a full week of programming during orientation and workshops throughout the academic year. Scheller MBAs are encouraged to meet regularly with their assigned career coaches to discuss career direction, job search strategy, resume refinement, and interview preparation. The personalized approach ensures tailored support, maximizing student success.

Scheller MBA alumni also play a pivotal role in supporting current students by offering career insights, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Alumni participate in panels and represent their companies at recruiting events. Through employer partnerships and informal networking opportunities such as coffee chats and informational meetings, our alumni remain actively engaged in helping current students navigate their career paths and secure competitive roles in the marketplace.
Additionally, our Career Center sponsored Tech Treks offer students the opportunity to visit leading companies in Atlanta including Salesforce, Microsoft, Visa, Google, NCR, Honeywell, and more. These visits provide firsthand insights into various industries and allow students to network with executives and alumni working in top firms.

Next page: The profiles of 12 Scheller MBAs

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