Favorite MBA Professors Of The Class Of 2024

Aloof and intimidating. Imperial and unerring – capable of dismantling an argument with a single question. That’s how students often pictured their professors – Harry Potter’s Minerva McGonagall and The Paper Chase’s Charles Kingsfield come to life. They were detail-driven taskmasters who stood between themselves and a much-needed break.

Maybe that was classroom life 50 years ago, when students kept their heads down, took notes, and prayed they never got called. Today, professors bristle at the notion of being the sage on the stage. They are the conductor on the floor – probing, guiding, testing – nudging the dialogue to bring in different voices and eye-opening alternatives. These professors know when to push and when to step back. That’s because they were once beginners and remain always students, never forgetting what it was like to be overwhelmed and anxious as much as curious and inspired.

PAGING PROF D: EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY!

Two years ago, Lisa Cheung joined the University of Michigan’s Ross School as a first-generation student. And she found a kindred spirit in Professor Jim Desimpleare, who shares her experience. However, it was the teaching style of “Prof D” that made him Cheung’s favorite professor. Let’s face it: MBA aren’t lining up to take a Federal Taxation and Managerial Decisions course. You could argue that scheduling it from it from 7-10 p.m. on Tuesdays is the work of a sadist. For Cheung, the course became the highlight of her week.

“Prof D’s classes felt more like attending an educational comedy show, blending humor, mini-cases, current events, and numerous anonymous emails from former students to make complex topics accessible and engaging,” Cheung tells P&Q. “His storytelling, enriched by anecdotes from his days at Ernst & Young and his personal life, also brings abstract concepts to life. His approach to teaching does not solidify our understanding, but also ensures that these lessons would remain with us long after graduation.”

In Prof D’s case, the job doesn’t stop after the students stream out of his class. Cheung describes him as a mentor, one who’ll sit down with students to patiently lay out concepts or supply career and personal advice. This support for current and past students’ success and well-being, Cheung adds, is another area where Desimpleare stands out.

“His resonant stories, encouragement, and positive affirmations foster a psychologically safe environment where students feel comfortable seeking advice on personal finance matters, from estate planning to savings strategies. We have had discussions from the importance of getting long-term care insurance to building intergeneration wealth as first-generation students. Since taking his class, I have also already reached out for his expertise when conducting research on the tax implications of employers setting aside emergency relief funds for employees.”

FAVORITE MBA PROFESSORS FROM ARIZONA STATE TO YALE

Prof D is among the faculty members who reflect the best of graduate business education according to the Class of 2024. These are the never-satisfied professors – the ones who are always tinkering with their curriculum to bring in cutting edge practices. They are sears who’ve been where students are headed – and prepare them for mercurial bosses, high-stakes projects, and uncertain outcomes they’ll soon face. They are master psychologists who don’t just roll out frameworks, but help students understand themselves – their underlying motivations, uncharted inclinations, and untapped potential. More than anything, the best professors bring out the best in their students and leave them with a confidence to try what’s new and tackle what’s hard.

Last spring, P&Q asked its Best & Brightest MBAs and MBAs to Watch to share which faculty member had the biggest impact on them (and why). From being accessible to making concepts real, here is what it takes to be a great teacher from the Class of 2024 themselves.

“Dr. Matt Sopha of my Emerging Technologies class! He’s not your conventional professor with his delivery methods. I enjoyed how dynamic his class was and how he always inspired innovation. He is a forward thinker and quick to adapt to change. For instance, with the fast takeoff of GenAI, while other professors were skeptical about the technology and mostly saw its cons in pedagogy, Matt was already thinking about how he could use it to improve the student learning experience and his teaching methods, including ways to address the cons. He was open to the fact that AI have become ubiquitous, and I needed to start thinking proactively and smartly about leveraging it for good to improve student learning.”
Jeanette Uddoh, Arizona State (W. P. Carey)

“Harish Guda is my favorite. Having taken Operations & Supply Chain Management with Professor Guda in my first semester, enrolling in his Operations Planning and Execution course as a second-year student was a no-brainer. Guda’s teaching skills catered to seasoned professionals like myself and those new to supply chain and operations. His patience, clarity, and thorough approach, combined with various interactive methods – such as Legos (fun!) and simulations – enriched our learning experience. What set him apart was his exceptional responsiveness to student feedback. Professor Guda was always quick to solicit and integrate feedback into his teaching, showcasing his commitment to continuous improvement and his students’ growth and success.”
Bailey Reynolds, Arizona State (W. P. Carey)

“I had the privilege; of numerous amazing professors at ASB. However, Bruno Verdini stands out for me. He taught the Practical Wisdom in Negotiations class. In this class, Bruno’s focus was all about expanding the negotiation pie, not taking a bigger slice from someone else’s. It was refreshing! Here I was, surrounded by ambitious classmates, and this professor throws in spirituality and empathy? At first, I wasn’t sure what to think. But then, Bruno showed us a different kind of business world, one where everyone can win. It felt like a breath of fresh air – a realization that collaboration and win-win outcomes were actually achievable, not some fairy tale. It definitely challenged my pre-conceived notions about business being a cutthroat jungle. Bruno’s class was a turning point for me, showing there are amazing people out there building bridges, not walls, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry forever.
Kennedy Baboloki Kwati, Asia School of Business

“My favorite MBA professor was Agnieszka Kierner. She stood out not just for her academic expertise, but for her exceptional ability to push me outside my comfort zone. Professor Kierner challenged me to engage in deep self-reflection, prompting me to examine my life goals and aspirations critically. What I valued most was her direct approach, combined with her commitment to providing constant feedback. This feedback wasn’t just about celebrating achievements; it also focused on areas for improvement and skill development, striking a perfect balance between encouragement and constructive criticism. Our interactions went beyond the classroom, as I had several one-on-one meetings with her to discuss my personal development. Through these discussions, Professor Kierner became more than just a teacher; she became a mentor who had a significant impact on my professional outlook and personal growth.”
Silvia Andres, Boston College (Carroll)

“I had a couple of candidates, but I will pick Jim Foster. He was my professor for Investment Analysis. Besides the knowledge he obviously has, he also possesses a lot of expertise in the real world as he is a managing partner in a wealth management firm in Pittsburgh that he was able to transmit during classes. His approach to learning is definitely the best I’ve had during my time in Tepper. He is able to push us to our limits and get the best out of everyone. His detailed and thorough feedback was extremely important to get the most out of the class. Furthermore, Jim was always available to help not only with classes, but with real life advice. Definitely the best Professor I’ve had during my MBA.”
Victor Castro Fernandez, Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)

“I have so many favorites for different reasons, but one who comes immediately to mind is Professor Dan Wang. First, his investment in his students stands out prominently. Professor Wang goes the extra mile by actively involving students in case discussions for new perspectives. Second, his teaching approach is strengthened by using contemporary cases, supplemented with guest speakers relevant to the topics, creating an immersive learning environment. Third, his commitment extends beyond the classroom as he carves out time to meet with students individually, showing genuine interest in understanding their backgrounds and aspirations.”
Jeff S. McClellan, Columbia Business School

“My favorite MBA professor is Risa Mish, who teaches Critical and Strategic Thinking. She challenged us to see problems from dual perspectives while urging us to delve deeper, broadening our approach when analyzing the myriad of factors that influence business leaders’ decisions. Her methods helped me discern meaning with limited information, remaining fully aware while neutralizing personal bias. This learning style has undoubtedly equipped me to navigate the complexities arising from diverse people, industries, situations and dilemmas, enabling me to effectively solve problems I may encounter as a leader.”
Albert C. Matlock III, Cornell University (Johnson)

“My favorite MBA professor is Risa Mish, who leads the Critical and Strategic Thinking core course at Johnson. Her course allowed me to challenge myself and take a deeper look into solving real-world business problems. She is the epitome of engagement, enthusiasm, and preparation, and she elicits these qualities from each of us in the classroom, making each session highly dynamic and collaborative. She is always invested in her students’ success in and out of the classroom. She was pivotal in helping me secure my full-time job offer and ensuring that I was taking an opportunity that aligned with my career goals and expectations. Her continuous support and mentorship gave me the confidence to succeed professionally and ensure that I’m set up for long-term success after Johnson.”
Pilar Resendez, Cornell University (Johnson)

“Professor Nick Russell T’10 is my favorite professor. Nick is a quintessential Tuckie – he came to Dartmouth as an undergrad from D.C. and then came back to Hanover to get his MBA. He now lives in Hanover with his family and is the managing partner of Tuckerman Capital, a PE firm in Hanover (yes, we do have PE shops in town!). He makes time to teach the Private Equity Practicum (PEP), a course of 15 people, each winter. We go through past Tuckerman deals and work on an investment thesis. Nick has a unique ability to be able to command a room but also push people on their thinking. I tell people even if you’re not interested in private equity, you will learn (or be pushed to learn) how to truly think independently in this class. Nick has also become a mentor of mine outside of the classroom, a testament to his desire to see other Tuckies develop and grow.”
Ta-Von Wilson, Dartmouth College (Tuck)

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