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FIRST USF SARASOTA-MANATEE MBA GRADUATES CELEBRATE ONE-YEAR REUNION

(Sarasota, FL, April 26, 2004) -- Giving up Saturday mornings is nothing new to graduates of the first USF Sarasota-Manatee Masters in Business Administration Cohort. So, on a nearly-perfect spring afternoon Saturday, April 17, MBA Cohort I gathered once again for a one-year reunion at Cook Hall on the Bayfront campus.

Twelve of the original 21 graduates attended along with three faculty members. While enjoying a delicious buffet luncheon, the group renewed the bonds formed during the 30-month program. But they quickly learned this was no “free lunch,” as they were split into two teams and put to work.

“We did an exercise called ‘Keeps, Stops and Starts,’” said Marianne Harrison, program assistant to the Dean in the Office of Academic Affairs. “The groups were asked to list those things we did in the Saturday MBA program that we should keep; those things we should discontinue; and those new things we should consider including in future programs.”

According to Harrison, the first thing on both groups’ list was, “Keep the Saturday MBA program.” They also asked that standards for the program be maintained and made suggestions on how to make an already quality program even better. Some of their “starts” included more guest speakers from local businesses; continuing education for alumni, including a workshop with local business leaders to discuss current business trends and issues; and the use of Web pages for current and prospective students.

Attending the Saturday reunion were students Virginia Behr, Doug Carroll, Ali Craig-Rodriguez, Scott Fowler, Kapil Gami, Charlene Lambert, Wayne Mason, Ann Peabody, Bill Roche, Karen Ruffalo, Jennifer Shideler, and Yong Stewart. Faculty attending were Drs. Neset Hikmet and Barry Karafin, and instructor Mary Burns.

Shideler, Coordinator of Accounting in the Office of Academic Affairs at USF Sarasota-Manatee cites the cohort format as making an overall difference in the MBA program. “Going through the entire program with the same group is beneficial in several ways. We became close as time went on, and the diversity of the group brought different strengths to the table that we shared with each other in class and study groups. That group support helps you stay on course.”

The USF Sarasota-Manatee MBA Cohort I was the first of three such masters programs started in fall 2000. In these 30-month programs, the same student group starts and completes classes together. Unlike traditional drop-in programs, students know their entire schedule in advance, and enrollment for the programs is only once a year.

There are many advantages to these programs, including convenience and cost. Classes are taught at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus by resident faculty, and are less expensive than traditional MBA programs. The drop out rate also is low, due in part to the bonds formed between students as they go through the classes together.

Tuition for the current MBA Cohort program, Cohort III is $15,300. Each cohort program is divided into 11 sessions featuring management, marketing, finance, and management information system classes. Plans are underway for Cohort IV, and all classes will meet on Saturdays in Sarasota.

For information on USF Sarasota-Manatee MBA Cohort programs, contact Marianne Harrison at 941-359-4333 or by e-mail at harrison@sar.usf.edu.