The University of Nevada, Reno College of Business celebrated the commencement of 35 students from its nationally accredited Online Executive MBA program on Aug. 14, 2021. The program, which is ranked first in Nevada, 10th in the southwest and 42nd in the U.S. according to “Online MBA Report’s 2021 Best Online Programs rankings,” has now graduated nine cohorts.
“The 2021 Executive MBA graduating class exemplifies the depth, scope and tradition of excellence the program has established,” Kambiz Raffiee, Executive MBA director and associate dean of the College of Business, said. “We are so proud of the graduating class and their accomplishments within the program.”
Students from across the country participated in the Executive MBA program, with graduates from Arizona, California, Illinois, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Graduates have an average of 12 years of work experience and their employers include Bausch & Lomb, Bombardier Transportation, Boyd Gaming, Canon Medical Systems, Great Basin College, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, MGM Resorts, Panasonic Energy, Renown Health, United Health Group, U.S. Surgical and the U.S. Government.
“This is a stellar graduating class from our Online Executive MBA program at the University of Nevada, Reno,” Greg Mosier, dean of the College of Business, said. “They continue in the tradition of the students who graduated before them in showing their resiliency, dedication and leadership. I am excited to see where their already substantial accomplishments take them in their professional and personal endeavors.”
Fifteen of the graduates had a graduate or professional degree entering the Executive MBA program. Credentials include four medical doctors, a doctor of osteopathy, a doctor of optometry, a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, a master of physical therapy, a master of public health, masters of science degrees in economics, metallurgical engineering, biomedical sciences and engineering, one certified public accountant and one paralegal certification. There are also two veterans among the graduating class.
“If you are a busy professional looking for an outstanding MBA program, I can’t imagine a better choice than the University of Nevada, Reno,” Jay MacGregor, 2021 Executive MBA graduate and deputy chief of staff of the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, said. “There was so much professional experience in our cohort, which greatly added to the experience. It was a rich learning environment with mid-career professionals who were eager to learn and grow.”
“While there are phenomenal tools and resources to set students up for success, it is the people that make the Executive MBA program top-notch,” Melody Fong, 2021 Executive MBA graduate and financial analyst at Resorts World Las Vegas, said. “The program encompasses a group of dedicated professors and staff members that are committed to providing students with the tools and resources necessary to set them up for success.”
“The Executive MBA is a truly unique educational experience with remarkable access to all the instructors,” Krist Walicky, 2021 Executive MBA graduate and director of Corporate Development Projects at Boyd Gaming, said. “Communication was always fluid, and the friendly, easy-going demeanor of the professors encouraged questions and interaction throughout the program. I’m so pleased I chose this program.”
