STEM MBA A Year in Review
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This innovative degree plan allows the Rawls College to leverage one of the greatest assets of Texas Tech: our vast access to academic resources across disciplines. Our faculty members are well suited to teach STEMtrained students on how to translate their primary education in STEM to business success — both within an organization or as an entrepreneur. I invite you to learn more about our program and our students. Lance Nail, Ph.D., CFA Dean Rawls College of Business
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About To address the growing need for leaders in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields, the Rawls College of Business launched a new one-year STEM MBA program focused on the competencies STEM students need to increase their marketability and gain leadership and business acumen. As a general business master’s degree with an emphasis on STEM applications, the program complements STEM students’ technical backgrounds while also providing the business skills needed to be successful in management and leadership roles. Courses include Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, Marketing, Management, Statistics, and Strategy, along with STEM-specific electives.
The First Year - Student Profiles & Highlights
1
st
Educational Background (by % of students in the program)
Technology
3% 48%
Engineering
program of its kind in Texas and one of the first in the United States
Mathematics
AZ
CA
CO
10%
Scholarship Availability
Students’ Home States
AL
41%
Science
MN
Summer 2014
$13,000 8 individuals $8,000 5 individuals
Fall 2014
NM
NC
TX
WI
$16,500 7 individuals Spring 2015
Diverse Student Body
36.5% HISPANIC, AFRICAN AMERICAN, ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER
TTAA STEM MBA Speaker Series A unique component of the program is the TTAA STEM Speakers Series. The speaker series was made possible through a $10,000 grant awarded by the Texas Tech Alumni Association.
2015 Speakers Ginger Kerrick Flight Operations Director, Assistant Director for International Space Stations
Robert V. Duncan Senior Vice President for Research, Texas Tech University
Lota Zoth Independent Biotechnology Professional
George Anders Author and Contributing Writer, Forbes Magazine
Tedd Mitchell President, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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The STEM MBA degree provides business skills to those who plan to pursue management careers in STEM professions. The STEM MBA differs from a traditional MBA in two ways. First, classes in the program utilize STEM-related examples and cases. Second, the electives in the program are unique to STEM professions. For example, the commercialization course provides details on how products developed in science and engineering professions are marketed and delivered to consumers.
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William Pasewark, Ph.D. Webster Professor of Business and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and Research Rawls College of Business
Kory Tillery
Albuquerque, New Mexico Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Microbiology Texas Tech University, May 2014
Post-graduate Plans: Medical School University of New Mexico School of Medicine Albuquerque, New Mexico Kory Tillery knew that he would enter medical school after graduating with his bachelor’s degree; however, he wanted to expand upon his long-term career options. Throughout his coursework in the STEM MBA program, Tillery saw how his microbiology background and future goals could be improved by learning the business aspect of the medical field. With the business skills acquired in the program, he has the ability to start his own practice, manage a hospital, develop pharmaceutical and biomedical startups, or open a clinic internationally.
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I initially chose to pursue a STEM MBA because I was looking for a way to make myself stand out from the crowd before I applied to medical school. The STEM MBA opened up a world of new opportunities for me that I never knew about! I’ve learned so much about how businesses work that I now feel confident entering the working world and succeeding in whatever I choose to do. I see a lot of potential for my future career, and I’m excited to see what opportunities will arise because of this degree.
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Nick Burns
Birmingham, Alabama Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems University of Houston, December 2014
Post-graduate Plans: Pursuing career in Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) Technology After serving in the U.S. Army and Texas Army National Guard for five years, where he conducted Route Clearance operations and disposed Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan, Nick Burns accepted a position with Texas Tech where he works as a Programmer Analyst in the Information Systems Department. When evaluating his time in the military and his current technology experience, Burns wanted to pursue a degree that would complement his skills and enhance his future career prospects. Burns was also awarded the first-ever STEM MBA Rawls Military and Veterans MBA Scholarship.
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I learned a lot in the military and at my current job, but I knew I needed additional skills for success. A STEM MBA provides me a better overall understanding of the necessary business processes involved in extending the ‘Internet of Things’ via RFID technology. Mastery of technology alone does not spur insight. Insight is achieved by leveraging knowledge of the individual components and determining how they can be assembled effectively. Using analytics and skills gained from the STEM MBA program, I expect substantial progress in my future.
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Guy Chadwick Cary, North Carolina
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Texas Tech University, December 2014
Post-graduate Plans: Coiled Tubing Engineer Schlumberger Midland, Texas With a Mechanical Engineering degree and aspirations of working in the ever-fluctuating oil and gas industry, Guy Chadwick realized that he needed to secure his long-term future by building upon his engineering knowledge with applicable, real-world business skills. After completing his undergraduate degree, Chadwick wanted to learn more about the business perspective of engineering – particularly managing people and understanding how businesses operate – in order to be successful.
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Engineering taught me how to solve problems, but I needed to learn how to manage an office or a team with multiple individuals from different backgrounds. The STEM MBA brings the other half that is required to thrive in the real world and puts me ahead of my peers with the knowledge I have gained.
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Maria Navarrete Glen Rose, Texas
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science in Economics, with a minor in Mathematics Texas Tech University, May 2014
Post-graduate Plans: Consultant in the Business Advisor Program EY Dallas, Texas While in the STEM MBA program, Maria Navarrete built upon her economics and mathematics background to develop key skills that will help her in the business world. In her position with EY, she will have direct contact with the banking industry, providing consultation and business solutions to clients. The STEM MBA courses focused on technical skills and allowed her to understand how her economics and mathematics knowledge translates to best business practices.
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The STEM MBA program is designed for people who are quantitative thinkers, and the faculty gears its curriculum toward those skills. Through real-world and industry examples, the lessons resonate with the students, and we are able to see how our STEM knowledge can be applied in business. While in the program, I’ve been able to build upon my undergraduate education and interact with brilliant students. The program provides extraordinary networking opportunities, and it allows us to develop lasting professional relationships.
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