This article first appeared in the UConn Business magazine, Volume 3, Issue 2 (Spring 2013)
A quick chat with Colleen McGuire
Colleen McGuire is the Director of the Graduate Business Learning Center, 100 Constitution Plaza Hartford, CT and is responsible for the Executive MBA, Part-time MBA, and Executive Education Programs, as well as the expansion of relationships with the Hartford business community. After almost a year on the job, we chatted with Colleen about the School’s direction and presence in the capital city.
What were your first impressions or thoughts as you got deeper into the job?
One of the first comments I heard as I began to engage in discussions with the community, was that UConn’s downtown Graduate Business School was a “well-kept secret”. Given the breadth, depth and quality of our academic offerings, not to mention the affordability factor of being the state’s flagship university, I was surprised to hear that many companies and organizations did not know that UConn has a sizable operation downtown. So while there has been work to do to optimize and staff the operation, I have no doubt there is tremendous opportunity for growth and expansion of our downtown programs.
How do you see the role of the UConn School of Business in Hartford?
To the extent that a strong workforce drives the economy, I see us as the premiere partner in educating and developing the state’s human talent-base. Whether it’s working with an individual on his/her life-long journey of continuous education or developing mid-level managers into C-suite executives, we can help. UConn’s School of Business can meet business educational needs through such programs such as our Executive or Part-time MBA, customized executive education programs designed and delivered for a particular organization’s employees, or providing more specialized discipline-specific Master’s degree programs.
In addition to the Executive MBA Program and customized education offerings you reference, what other programs are offered in Hartford?
Our largest and most successful program is the Part-time MBA program. In the last couple of years we’ve added specialized masters programs in the areas of Risk Management and Business Analytics & Project Management. We also have an online Master’s degree in Human Resource Management, as well as various Advanced Business Certificates in functional business areas such as marketing and operations management. We also run very successful programs for veterans such as the annual Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) which provides education, skills, and contacts to assist returning vets in starting their own businesses. One of our goals moving forward is to expand our portfolio of services to the veteran population.
In what other ways does the School partner with the community?
Beyond the traditional educational programs offered, we also have multiple opportunities for companies to get involved with our graduate students and research faculty. Because of our strong focus on “experiential learning” – through such innovative programs as the Financial Accelerator, Innovation Accelerator, and our social entrepreneurship accelerator, SCOPE – we’re constantly looking for real, live projects for students to tackle. Though these opportunities require thoughtful development and company commitment in the way of time, money and data access I’m happy to report that the results consistently exceed the organization’s investment(s) and objectives.
Can you share some new things that may be on the horizon?
After a complete and thorough review of our Executive MBA Program, I am pleased to share the launch of our redesigned EMBA program beginning with the entering class this fall. Building upon the quality of the existing faculty and curriculum, the new EMBA program is expected to transform its participants. The 2015 cohort will be a diverse executive student group comprised of individuals who have a history of increasing responsibility and professional success. Importantly,
participants will have a passion for learning in a collaborative environment and seek to lead at the senior level of their organizations.. In addition to the EMBA redesign, we’re focusing quite heavily on Executive Education which includes everything from non-degree and certificate programs to highly-customized company-specific programs.
And of course, we’re very excited about the West Hartford campus relocating and joining us in downtown Hartford. The close collaboration among the public and private sectors, as well as higher education can be a powerful force in the
revitalization of Hartford.
