Each semester the Executive MBA program hosts an off-campus, Immersion class weekend, to provide opportunities for in-depth experiential learning. The first Executive MBA Immersion took place in New York City in November 2021, and the remaining Immersions for the EMBA Class of 2023 are currently planned for Dallas, Washington DC, and the Austin-area Hill Country. Each is linked to course content and includes executive/company visits, alumni networking, cultural experiences, and time to network and bond with classmates. Immersions provide real-time, real-place exposure, and direct application to what Executive MBA students are learning in the classroom. Read more about the Executive MBA Immersions here.
The MBA Insider content below comes from Lexy Scheen, EMBA ’23. She writes about her experience during the inaugural Executive MBA Immersion weekend in New York City.
One definition of immersion is “deep mental involvement.” There really is no better description of the 3-days our Executive MBA cohort spent together in New York City.
The learning theme of the weekend was “Leading Planned Change.” Fitting, as I believe my classmates will agree that we have all changed so much in the three short months we’ve been together.
A jam-packed first day began with a Veteran’s Day celebration. We honored the four veterans in our group and visited The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum Complex.
A change simulation took place Thursday afternoon. Led by Dr. Luis Martins, our study groups had spirited discussions around best practices for implementing company transitions. We ended the day with the privilege of meeting and hearing from an incredible panel of top corporate executives across many industries. Many of our speakers were former longhorns and were in our Executive MBA shoes not too many years prior. They are proof that hard work, dedication, and being just crazy enough to go back to school while balancing full-time careers, and families pays off in the end.
Executive MBA students work in teams to compete in a change management simulation hosted by Professor Luis Martins as part of their Leading People and Organizations course, held during their first immersive experience in New York City at the American Management Association, Thurs Nov 11th.
Despite many Executive MBA ’23 songbirds karaoke-ing until the wee hours, the group rallied for the portion of the agenda we likely dreaded the most; improv class. But, as with most things in life we stress over, improv class turned out to be a huge hit and a major topic of discussion for the remainder of the weekend. It reminded us of the art of listening, which came in handy as our speaker series continued into Friday afternoon. Professor Steve Limberg brought financial reporting to life through discussions with Blue Apron and Moody’s.
Executive MBA students developing communication skills while engaging in Improv for Business Leaders during their Executive Seminar course, led by Professor Angie McDermott and co-led by the Executive MBA Career Management Team Sarita Soldz and Alma Moore.
Saturday morning, we turned to a conversation with Paul Levy. Levy’s impressive transformation of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is a case we have been studying all semester. The access to such a profound list of leaders is a tribute to the dedication of the McCombs faculty who are ingrained in these experiences with us.
Executive MBA students after speaking with distinguished guest Paul Levy hosted at UTNY Campus as part of their Leading People and Organizations course led by Professor Luis Martins on Saturday, Nov 13th.
Early in the year, we learned from Professor Angie McDermott that, “what got us here won’t get us there.” This immersion drove that point home. To be effective and engaging leaders, we must be honest, transparent, and collaborative. Luckily, it’s become clear those three attributes are stamped into the DNA of this amazing group of individuals. In three short months, we’ve helped each other through business problems and trusted each other with very personal conversations. We’ve enjoyed the social side just as much as the classroom through dinners, happy hours, and Broadway show nights. This is a special group. Everyone has a seat at each other’s table.
I am honored to be part of the EMBA ’23 cohort, grateful to learn alongside them, and eager to see how much transformation takes place over the next eighteen months.
The UT motto is “What Happens Here Changes the World,” and what happened in New York City changed us all into better leaders, and people.
Hook ‘em!
Lexy Scheen, EMBA ’23
Learn more about the Texas McCombs Executive MBA on our website, and contact us with any questions at TexasEMBA@mccombs.utexas.edu. Sign up to receive Executive MBA news here, and register for an Executive MBA event to meet admissions and program staff, current students, and alumni.
The Executive MBA program application is open for Fall 2022 enrollment. The next deadline is February 15, 2022, and the final deadline to apply is June 15, 2022.
