UWF MBA alumna putting degree to work
The University of West Florida Master of Business Administration Program is a top-notch program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only 15 percent of programs around the world have earned this symbol of the highest standard in management education. Because UWF's academic excellence is exceptionally high, MBA graduates have a great opportunity to launch successful careers after completing the program. Walaipan Thomas, associate manager of American General Life and Accident Insurance Company, is among the numerous alumni who have built a successful career after graduating from the UWF MBA program.
The University of West Florida Master of Business Administration Program is a top-notch program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only 15 percent of programs around the world have earned this symbol of the highest standard in management education. Because UWF’s academic excellence is exceptionally high, MBA graduates have a great opportunity to launch successful careers after completing the program. Walaipan Thomas, associate manager of American General Life and Accident Insurance Company, is among the numerous alumni who have built a successful career after graduating from the UWF MBA program.
“I was ranked in the top 40 out of 5,000 agents around the country before I was promoted to manager,” said Thomas. “I can say part of my success came from graduating from UWF’s MBA program.”
Thomas, who graduated from the program in fall 2006, chose to pursue a master’s degree at UWF because she knew that the program is internationally accredited. After earning her degree, she joined American General Life and Accident Insurance Company where her primary responsibility is to grow and manage the quality sales force in the Emerald Coast Area.
“I use knowledge gained from my marketing classes at UWF to understand the market,” said Thomas. “I do Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analyses on my company’s position, as well as on employees. Bottom line, I have adapted knowledge gained from each class in the MBA program to make me successful.”
UWF’s Finish in Five MBA Program is designed to offer courses to those who have already been in the work force and have schedules which cannot be easily adjusted. Those who participate in this program are able to earn a degree in five semesters. The curriculum is geared toward current business practices, and participants complete their classes with a cohort of working professionals from education, government, industry and the military.
“Our program allows qualified students to take two classes per term over five consecutive semesters and actually earn their degrees in as little as 20 months,” said Mellisa Brode, MBA assistant director.
For more information about the MBA program, visit uwf.edu/mba.
Written by Josh Lyons, University Marketing Communications
