Walton MBA Insider

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Invaluable Connections and Global Opportunity with Hattie Shelton

When Hattie Shelton reapplied for the MBA program, she couldn't justify leaving her growing career behind to return to school. That’s when she found the Executive Master of Business Administration Program offered in a hybrid format by the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

03/25/2024

Student Spotlight: Sydney Combs

Sydney Combs (Walton MBA ’24) has a professional background in consulting and is completing a custom track in management, financial markets and data analytics.

08/17/2023

Student Spotlight: Laura Jo Randall

Laura Jo Randall, MBA, district manager for ALDI USA and recent Walton MBA graduate completed the accelerated Walton MBA program with a concentration in supply chain.

08/09/2023

Student Spotlight: Adam Grant

Adam Grant is a sales account manager at Butterball, LLC and a member of the 2024 Walton Executive MBA cohort.

08/03/2023

Student Spotlight: Will Smith

Will Smith is an operator at the Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority and a member of the 2023 Walton Executive MBA cohort.

07/19/2023

Student Spotlight: Manuel Tejada

Manuel Tejada is a member of the 2023 Walton Executive MBA cohort and a Project Manager for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

07/06/2023

Student Spotlight: Megan Nichols

Megan Nichols is Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager at Regions Bank in Dallas, TX and is currently pursuing her Walton Executive MBA at the University of Arkansas.

06/29/2023

Student Spotlight: Dennis Daniels

Dennis Daniels recently completed his Walton MBA at the University of Arkansas after graduating from Southern Arkansas University in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

05/23/2023

Student Spotlight: Destiny Posey

Destiny Posey is currently pursuing her Walton MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship and works as a graduate assistant in the McMillon Innovation Studio.

02/22/2023

Alumni Spotlight: Jackie Martin, MBA

Jackie Martin worked in the Transportation/Logistics Industry for 15 years and recently pivoted into the software space as a Customer Success Executive for Pricefx.

01/04/2023

Walton MBA Student Grace Crain Hands Off Her Homecoming Crown

2021 Homecoming Queen Grace Crain (Walton MBA ‘23) handed off her crown to fellow Little Rock native Karlie Barnett at the Arkansas vs. Liberty Homecoming football game this year. Grace sat down with Walton MBA Insider to discuss her homecoming experience and what it means to be a leader, a role model and a Razorback.

12/05/2022 | By Ariel Sibley

MBA Graduate Reaches New Heights at SpaceX

Raleigh Woods (MBA ’22) secured a full-time position with SpaceX after graduating from the Walton MBA program. She will be working as a sourcing specialist supporting Starlink in the Seattle, WA area.

09/01/2022 | By Lori Speer

Alumna Tina Winham Makes a Positive Community Impact

Walton EMBA Program alumna Tina Winham graduated with her MBA in 2018 and currently works as the Walmart lead at Conair in the Hair Beauty Accessories division. With over 15 years of experience overseeing multi-million dollar budgets, Winham has extensive experience with operations, sales and marketing efforts for several major global brands.

05/04/2022 | By Taylor Poe

Congratulations to Walton MBA Faculty Awards Winners

The 2021-2022 Walton College Faculty Awards have been announced! The recipients were selected based on nominations, their current curriculum vitae and a personal statement that includes teaching evaluations, student comments, sample assignments, summaries of recent research publications, citation counts, grant awards and program innovations.

05/04/2022 | By Lori Speer

Custom Tracks Through the Walton MBA

Students are specializing their graduate school experience by developing custom degree plans. In this business climate, niche talents can find their place to shine. Currently, the University of Arkansas’ Walton MBA program offers five different career tracks in entrepreneurship and innovation, retail marketing, supply chain management, financial management and data analytics.

04/27/2022 | By Heidi Rolf

Walton MBA Students Make Connections at Networking Event

The Walton MBA programs teamed up with Walton Career Services to host a networking event for students prior to the Walton College Spring Business Fair. The event included 51 companies, and all expressed an interest in hiring MBA students. Many second-year students attended the event actively seeking employment, and first-year students made connections with representatives for internships or full-time positions after graduation.

04/02/2022 | By Ontario West

Hiring Partners Consider Walton MBA Program a Rich Source of Talent

The Walton MBA program has earned a reputation with employers for being a rich source of talent, producing graduates that embrace the entrepreneurial spirit with a newfound way of strategic thinking. Employers continue to be impressed with graduates’ strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills. When it comes to hiring decisions, employers recognize that the resources available to Walton MBA students produce top-tier candidates.

02/23/2022 | By Lori Speer

Walton MBA Ranks 11th out of 600 programs for ROI by the Wall Street Journal

Few words are heard as often in Walton as “value.” It often seems like one of those words you just cannot escape. You may hear about it with regard to Walton’s EPIC values, the Blockchain Center of Excellence’s research on the “Internet of Value,” the value-added services that the Supply Chain Management Research Center provides, or in everyday classroom discussions.

02/23/2022 | By Ryan Sheets

 

Walton MBA Ethics Project Impact

During the fall of 2021, second-year full-time Walton MBA students completed The Walton MBA Ethics Project. This project was incorporated into the Business Leadership and Ethics course taught by Adam Stovernik, director of Walton MBA Programs and associate professor of management. There were 10 teams of students who received $1,000 to complete a project that will benefit others.

02/02/2022 | By Mackenzie Brown

Graduate Net Impact Speaker Panel

Graduate Net Impact consists of student organizations and professional groups that strive to build a more sustainable world. By running diverse program initiatives, the University of Arkansas Graduate Net Impact chapter drives meaningful change on campus, in the workplace and in the local community.

11/03/2021 | By Taylor Poe

Event: MBA Career Day

October is a busy month for our Walton MBA full-time students kicking off their fall internship hiring cycle. The MBA Programs Office works with companies to organize an MBA Career Day each year.

10/15/2021 | By Lindsey Steiger-Muck

Welcome New Marketing Director Jerra Nalley Toms

Toms loved her experience in the Walton Executive MBA program. The biggest benefit she gained from the program is reflected in her network; she still talks to her EMBA classmates often, whether it be to solve a business problem or discuss their bi-monthly get-togethers.

10/13/2021 | By Ariel Sibley

Internship Reflection: Ontario West

The Walton MBA program provides every student the opportunity to complete an internship with a company of their desire or companies they have great relationships with. Reminiscing over this past summer, I reflected on the hardships, learning opportunities, soul searching and victories I experienced through multiple internships.

09/01/2021 | By Ontario West

Sustainability Spotlight: The Graduate Net Impact Chapter

Full-time MBA students Madison Holden, Alana Collins and Meritt Rae share their experiences with the Graduate Net Impact chapter, a global organization that serves to connect students with sustainability concepts and professionals in the sustainability world.

04/05/2021 | By Hannah Lee

Full-time MBA Professional Development

The full-time Walton MBA program’s Professional Development course gives students valuable exposure and experience in a variety of business topics, including soft skills, leadership, stress management, negotiation training, diversity and inclusion, interviewing tips and more.

04/05/2021 | By Ontario West

Teaching During the Pandemic

As the University of Arkansas prepares to return to in-person instruction in fall, Walton MBA professors Tomas Jandik and Christian Hofer reflect on teaching during the pandemic.

04/05/2021 | By Alexandra Goforth

The Walton MBA Learning Series

The Walton MBA Learning Series allows students, alumni and the public to practice continuous learning, network with successful working professionals and gain new perspectives.

03/01/2021 | By Taylor Poe

Outdoors Club Allows Students to Stay Active and Connected

Hayden Banister, full-time Walton MBA student and former regional service manager at J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc., wanted to find opportunities for new students to connect outside of the classroom. Due to COVID restrictions, an Outdoors Club offered a safe space to stay connected.

02/01/2021 | By Ontario West

Spring Full-time MBA Internship Placements

Full-time MBA students Vasu Chawla, Madeleine Corbell, Brock Davis, Gina Monaldi and Cara Woelffer share their experiences securing their internships as a part of the full-time Walton MBA program.

02/01/2021 | By Hannah Lee

Student Spotlight: Karrie Claybrook

In Karrie Claybrook’s life, two people really helped to shape her into the person she is today. Her mother and grandmother instilled in her the importance of education and curiosity. For these trailblazing women, education was the great equalizer, an accomplishment no one could take from them.

11/05/2020 | By Ontario West

Walton MBA Walks

The Walton MBA Walks initiative, hour-long outdoor executions hosted by Walton College faculty and administration, creates safe opportunities for full-time MBA students to connect with the Walton College community.

11/05/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

Sarah Goforth Leads Graduate Entrepreneurship Program

Sarah Goforth is the executive director of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Arkansas. She teaches the graduate level New Venture Development course sequence and oversees the interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship.

10/12/2020 | By Hannah Lee

Walton MBA Fall 2020 Overview

After moving to remote instruction in mid-March 2020, the University of Arkansas and Walton MBA programs have returned for the Fall 2020 semester with a combination of both remote and in-person class options to maintain a quality educational experience while also protecting the health and safety of the students and faculty.

09/08/2020 | By Julie Storing

Full-time Walton MBA Internships

The Walton MBA internships are incredibly beneficial to students because they allow for the development of valuable work experience based on the student’s interest. Lindsey Steiger-Muck, assistant MBA director at the Walton MBA programs said, “Students have the opportunity to explore a potential career path and give themselves a competitive edge in the job market based on the skills they’ve learned.” Molly Bombonato, Robert Cummings, Sean Grady, Meritt Rae and Sydney Wendfeldt spoke about their internship experiences.

09/08/2020 | By Hannah Lee

Inaugural Leadership Circle Cohort for Banking and Finance

Walton College Executive Education partnered with Milestone Leadership to host the inaugural cohort of Leadership Circle for Banking and Finance. The six-month program is designed to provide industry leaders with skills, experiences and connections that create a lasting personal, professional and industry impact.

09/08/2020 | By Alondra Cruz

Jeff Murray’s New Executive MBA Podcast

Jeff Murray, professor in the Department of Marketing at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, joined the University of Arkansas in 1989. Murray, a Colorado-native turned long-term Arkansas resident, currently teaches in the Executive MBA and Full-time MBA programs at Walton College. When the university moved to remote instruction in March, Murray wanted a high-context medium to ease the lack of face-to-face interaction with his Executive MBA students. He kept coming back to the idea of a podcast. Season 1 of Hidden Signs is now available to students, alumni and the public.

09/08/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

Jaymin Patel and CelluDot: The Heartland Challenge

Jaymin Patel is an operations science analyst at ArcBest Technologies, a logistics provider in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He graduated last month from our Walton Executive MBA program. During his time as a student in the Walton EMBA program, Patel’s focus study area was entrepreneurship. He holds a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from the University of Arkansas. This past summer, Patel participated in the inaugural Heartland Challenge.

08/07/2020 | By Hannah Lee

Walton College Executive Education and MBA Programs Partner for Greater Learning Opportunities

Walton College Executive Education is partnering with the Walton College Executive MBA program to provide professional development opportunities for EMBA students. The students will receive complementary registration to the Executive Education fall open enrollment programs during which time they will have access to the Executive Education expertise, resources and developmental aid.

08/07/2020 | By Alondra Cruz

Walton MBA New and Returning Programs

Walton MBA will host several new and returning programs this fall. Walton Fuse, Walton MBA Learning Series, Walton MBA Conversations and the Professional Development workshop series will bring industry experts and leading business topics to Walton MBA students, alumni and the public. Registration links for public events available on Walton MBA LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram one week prior to the event date.

08/07/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

Bill Ryan Joins MBA Programs as Career Coach

To better assist the Walton MBA students as they navigate an ever-changing job market, Bill Ryan has joined the Walton MBA Programs office as a career coach. This new position will primarily assist Executive MBA students as they plan their career paths after graduation.

08/07/2020 | By Julie Storing

The Tango Press Business Model with John Ballentine

Small businesses are facing the brunt of COVID-19 shutdowns. In one of the first analyses of the impacts of the pandemic on small businesses, Stanford reported a 22% reduction in active small business owners between February and April – an estimated loss of 3.3 million businesses in less than three months. However, some businesses are thriving under the current social and economic climates. Walmart’s online sales are up 74% and telehealth visits are skyrocketing. But why are some businesses doing better than others?

08/07/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

Adam Stoverink Offers New Business Leadership and Ethics Course

Adam Stoverink, Ph.D. is an associate professor of management in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Stoverink teaches leadership to undergraduate, graduate and executive audiences and also instructs a teaching seminar in the Walton College doctoral program.

08/07/2020 | By Hannah Lee

Walton MBA Alumni Spotlight: Shan Pesaru

Shan Pesaru is the owner and CEO of Sharp Hue and a 2007 Walton Executive MBA alum. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in 2005 and says he was missing the experience needed for business ownership and entrepreneurship before joining the program. Pesaru says the Walton MBA gave him the confidence and skills he needed to start his business.

05/11/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

Ben Davis and Jeff Cady Receive 2020 Outstanding Graduating Student Awards

Healthcare Executive MBA students, Ben Davis, medical director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Jeff Cady, associate director of strategic accounts at Johnson and Johnson Health Care Systems, were recognized on April 24 as outstanding graduating students from the Walton College Class of 2020

05/11/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

Walton MBA Student Spotlight: Giang Dang Vu

The Walton MBA Program believes in the value of a diverse cohort. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, with different undergraduate degrees and from different parts of the world. International students add variety to the MBA program by offering unique perspectives and enriching class discussion.

05/11/2020 | By Sarah Williamson

Farewell to Walton MBA Student Workers

We are saying goodbye to three incredible student workers as they leave for local internships. Ashley Perone, Chrissy Matlock and Cornelia Swardh have been instrumental in assisting staff and helping to organize key Walton MBA events. Each student worker has been awarded a yearlong internship with local corporations and will be moving to the next chapter in their professional development.

05/11/2020 | By Sarah Williamson

Sustainability and Resiliency in Times of Uncertainty with Dr. Christy Melhart Slay

Christy Melhart Slay, director of technical alignment for The Sustainability Consortium, a global organization co-led by the University of Arkansas and Arizona State University that helps industries “define, develop and deliver more sustainable products,” earned her Ph.D. in biological sciences from the University of Arkansas in 2010. As a graduate student she was interested in sustainability and the intersection of science and business.

05/11/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

Alumni Spotlight: Kenny Bierman

Kenny Bierman, a 2015 full-time MBA graduate, works for PepsiCo as a senior category adviser for Walmart. Before Bierman began his journey in the MBA, he worked for more than eleven years for the U.S. Air Force. His journey towards his MBA was non-traditional, but the experience helped transform his career.

03/27/2020 | By Sarah Williamson

2019 Walton MBA Faculty of the Year

Every year, the Walton College MBA Faculty of the Year award is bestowed upon an exceptional faculty member to recognize their influence as an educator and a leader among the MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs.

03/27/2020 | By Sarah Williamson

A Message from the Director

This newsletter comes out at a time when we confront significant challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods of working, teaching, and living have changed.

03/27/2020 | By Vikas Anand

Elizabeth Arredondo Shares on the Value of Internships

Corporate internships are a critical experience for MBA students. Experience gained in an internship expands learning beyond what can be taught in a classroom. Students experience firsthand how classroom lectures apply to work performed in the office. Elizabeth Arredondo, 2018 Walton MBA alumna, shares on the value of internships.

02/28/2020 | By Sarah Williamson

A Digital Revolution in Retail with Focus on Walmart

Daniel Eckert, former senior vice president of Walmart Services and Digital Acceleration, says customers are changing how, where and when they shop, and a harmonized commerce ecosystem—the seamless integration of physical and digital retail environments—will win the future of retail.

02/28/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

Alumni Spotlight: Bill Fedorchak

The idea of returning to academia as a ‘non-traditional student’ may be intimidating to some, especially after spending nearly a quarter of a decade in the industry. 2017 E.M.B.A. graduate Bill Fedorchak explains how the experience challenged and benefited him in more ways than he expected.

01/28/2020 | By Sarah Williamson

Executive Education Launches Pop-Up Programs

The Walton College Executive Education now offers Business Foundations, a program designed to develop business the skills needed to run organizations in leaders who lack business backgrounds. The customizable program, which can be delivered in various locations, is ideal for organizations who looking to broaden their business acumen and enhance their decision making skills.

01/24/2020 | By Alex Blythe

The Nielsen Academy

Nielsen joins forces with Walton MBA to create student-centered, community-based learning and professional development opportunities for MBA students.

01/24/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

8 Ways to Pay for Your MBA

Program costs can feel like an overwhelming barrier between you and your MBA. From full tuition waivers to study abroad travel assistance, Walton MBA offers several scholarship and funding opportunities for the full-time and executive MBA programs.

01/24/2020 | By Alexandra Goforth

New Members Join the Alumni Advisory Board

The Walton MBA Alumni Advisory Board is crucial to the success of the M.B.A. programs. Alumni provide valuable insight and leadership, ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant during times of change in industry. Meet our three newest alumni board members and hear what they believe they each bring to the program.

01/24/2020 | By Sarah Williamson

MBA Student John Gaiters on the Trendsetters Foundation

Walton full-time MBA ’22 student John Gaiters serves as a community organizer as the president of the Trendetters Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through a motivational speaker series. Through the Trendsetters Foundation, high school juniors and seniors as well as college students preparing to enter the workforce can hear from panelists through speaker sessions and online interviews focused on inspiring action and educating youth on life lessons.

| By Taylor Poe