MBA Program Celebrates 5 Years
By: Rebecca Cope, Mass Communications, '05
The master of business administration (MBA) program celebrates five years. "The program has been more successful than expected and has grown faster than the projections," according to director Dr. Richard Vail. "It's a good program. We would like to see it serve as a model for future graduate degrees."
Classes for the MBA program are taught in the evening and are intended for the full-time working professional. Several classes are offered each semester. Classes meet once a week, and the average amount of time to complete the program is three years. Class sizes are kept small, approximately 20-24 students, and there are approximately 20 professors who rotate teaching classes.
The MBA program is open to students who have an undergraduate business degree and who are, "hoping to improve their career prospects," according to Vail. For those without an undergraduate business degree leveling classes are available. The MBA program also offers a unique educational opportunity, a BS and MBA achievable in five years. The 3+2 MBA program, which allows students to graduate in five years with a BS degree in accounting, as well as a master's degree in business administration has been very popular with students.
Graduate program coordinator, Mary Vail, said, "The Mesa State MBA is a quality program due to the commitment, dedication and hard work of the students and the faculty. I enjoy the interaction with students and appreciate their interest in education and determination to succeed." And succeed they have! The MBA program began in the fall of 1997, and has graduated 33 students with 14 more to graduate in the spring of 2003. Five of those graduates have offered their advice and perspectives of the MBA program and how it has changed and enhanced their personal and professional lives.
Desiree Hardin, '99 (first Mesa State MBA graduate), Property Management and Sales for Goldenwoods Condominiums at Powderhorn Resort and for Dole and Associates Realty
The MBA program has benefited me in several ways. To begin with, I learned valuable skills and techniques that I have been able to transfer into my daily work life. This, in turn, has allowed me to progress in my job and move up in authority and responsibility. 
The MBA program also helped to show me a broader picture of the work environment, which gave me a better understanding of the upsides and downsides of a professional career. Balancing a sense of achievement with monetary achievement is more important to me now, than it was before. Feeling fulfilled in your profession can be difficult if you do not make each day an adventure! The MBA program was a challenging and exciting scholastic environment and I enjoyed the opportunity to advance my education as well as advance my career. Working and attending the program was difficult at times, due to the challenges of scheduling, but well worth it in the long run. You also gain a great deal of insight from your peers in the program due to the wide range of skills that each person brings with them.
Josh Guddat, '02, Social Studies Teacher, Grand Junction High School
The MBA program, first off, has helped financially. My employer gives raises for having a master's degree. More importantly, my MBA gives me options for the future. I feel I could get a job with corporate America and would have an edge over other applicants. Starting a business or buying a business are also options I have considered. My MBA even contributes to my understanding of personal finance and investing.
Going through the MBA program at Mesa State was more rigorous than I had anticipated. The classes are tough and expectations are high. The professors definitely stretch students to new heights. Yet, the information was extremely relevant to the "real world." I did my internship for a five-billion-dollar-a-year company in Denver and I felt very competent and comfortable discussing and interacting with any level of management. Having that experience made me realize the benefits of my experience at Mesa State.
I feel that Mesa State College is the "best kept secret" in Colorado. The quality of instruction a student receives (being taught by a PhD, and one-on-one) for the low price a student pays is truly a value-added product. You don't need an MBA to figure that one out.
Donna Ross, '01, Director of Elections for Mesa County
My new position is, in part, a direct result of the professional relationships I formed and the knowledge and experience I gained during my management practicum project in Mesa State's MBA program. I consider the time and money I have spent on my college education among my most fruitful investments. My career has blossomed and my salary has significantly increased as a direct result of obtaining a college education. Equally important, I have become a completely different person who sees the world through a new lens.
Going through the program was intense, challenging, satisfying and a lot of work. However, I've never been intimidated by hard work. I was a full-time working mom during the entire program and learned to balance the demands of three full-time lives. I made many friends and came to know and respect many professors. Best of all, the program enabled me to think and analyze at a higher level and significantly improved my ability to see things from a "big picture" perspective.
Doirin Eddy, '02, Lecturer of Accounting, Mesa State College
The MBA program gave me the qualifications I needed to teach here at Mesa State. Going through the MBA program was hard work. However, I had excellent support. My husband took care of our personal items, and the professors were wonderful to work with.
Collin Fay, '03, President of Alpine Construction and Engineering, Inc. (ACEi)
The MBA Program has given me confidence to approach business situations that I might have shied away from prior to completing the program. That was my primary reason for entering the program, along with gaining credibility with outside business associates. It has taken me four years to complete the MBA program. I plan to graduate in May 2003. I normally took two classes per semester, which did, at times, add a lot of pressure to my schedule of other career and personal activities. 
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