MBA Program Options at USC - USC Marshall - University of ...

In 2009, USC Marshall was ranked5th nationwide for our MBA.PMprogram, 6th in accounting andentrepreneurship, and 9th ininternational business studies byU.S. News & World Report. In 2008,The Wall Street Journal ranked USCMarshall’s Executive MBA Program4th in the nation. Overall, we’re inthe U.S. News & World ReportTop 20.

Globalization. Emerging markets. The New Economy. As the flow ofideas and information crosses boundaries with increasing speed,the rules are constantly changing. For today’s business schoolgraduates, confronting complex new challenges is no longer aquestion of if, but of when and how many?With an emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation, socialresponsibility and path-breaking research, USC Marshall reflectsthis rapidly shifting business climate. Our guiding philosophy—that success is based on an understanding of the inner workings ofthe global marketplace—puts USC Marshall in the top tier of thenation’s premier business schools.Our location gives us direct access to Pacific Rim industries that aredefining the new business frontier. Los Angeles County is now theentertainment, manufacturing and international trade capital of theUnited States, with a GDP larger than Switzerland, Sweden or SaudiArabia. The region’s population of more than 10 million makesit the eighth largest metropolitan area worldwide. USC Marshallstudents thrive in this vibrant and diverse urban center.In addition to a unique world view, our location has attracted analumni community that spans 90 countries. This vast network givesMarshall graduates exceptionally strong support for success inthe global marketplace. Whatever their background or country oforigin, USC Marshall students join a global community of thoughtleaders who are redefining the way business works.1

USC Marshall MBA ProgramsFull-Time MBAMarshall’s full-time MBA program integrates a robust core curriculum with specialized coursework thatallows students to pursue their interests and respond to the changing needs of domestic and globalbusiness. The first year provides a comprehensive grounding in general business principles and anin-depth understanding of the global marketplace. The second year builds on this foundation, providingmyriad curriculum choices that relate to specific career goals.MBA Professionals and Managers (MBA.PM)Designed to address the challenges faced by working professionals, MBA.PM is a part-time eveningprogram lasting 33 months. Much like Marshall’s full-time MBA program, the MBA.PM program integratesa robust core curriculum with a broad range of specialized coursework that allows students to pursuetheir interests and respond to the changing needs of domestic and global business. Students may chooseto launch their first year of study in Los Angeles or Orange County. Second- and third-year classes areoffered on our Los Angeles campus.Executive MBA Program (EMBA)A fully integrated and internationally focused 21-month program designed for senior managers andseasoned professionals who intend to remain employed as they pursue their degree, the EMBA is offeredat two convenient locations in Los Angeles and San Diego.Global Executive MBA (GEMBA)Based in Shanghai, China, at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, GEMBA is a dynamic program tailored tothe needs of full-time senior managers across Asia and the world, who earn the prestigious USC MarshallMBA in 21 months.International MBA Program (IBEAR MBA)A one-year, full-time program designed for high-potential, mid-career professionals who seek to becomeinnovative, multicultural business leaders.Other ProgramsMaster of Accounting (MAcc)This full-time one-year program offersstudents an opportunity to deepen theiraccounting expertise at one of the nation’stop-ranked accounting schools.Master of Business Taxation (MBT)This full-time one-year program provides asolid grounding in the taxation system andqualifies students to sit for the Uniform CPAExam.Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)The doctoral program trains students asexperts in diverse fields, in preparation forfaculty positions at the world’s top businessschools.Master of Medical Management (MMM)This one-year part-time program trainsphysicians in the critical management skillsrequired to lead health care organizationsand realize professional goals.2

A degree from USC Marshall takes our graduates wherethey want to go. USC Marshall offers an array ofchoices for managers and business professionals.Our programs and curriculum are tailored to meetthe needs of professionals with different levels ofexperience and varied professional goals, enablingstudents to gain the knowledge vital to their success.USC Marshall’s world-renowned faculty serve asmentors and advisors throughout the academicjourney and beyond. Marshall faculty open up aworld of work and travel opportunities to students,preparing them to lead in today’s global marketplace.Faculty also connect students with valuable resourcesthat leverage USC Marshall’s legendary alumninetwork.As members of the USC Marshall community,graduates join two powerful networks withunsurpassed reach: the Trojan Family, with 198,000alumni worldwide; and USC Marshall, with70,000-plus. USC alumni hold positions of leadershiparound the globe.BEYOND BORDERSArgun KilicUSC Marshall MBA 2009When Argun Kilic considered MBA programs,he looked beyond the borders of his nativeTurkey for international exposure and a worldclasspersonal, professional and academicexperience. It didn’t take him long.“The Marshall School wasamazing,” he says. “Thenetwork was great, therewas a huge emphasis onentrepreneurship, and theculture was so friendly. Icouldn’t have found thissame combination atanother school.”Argun received hisbachelor’s degree inelectrical engineeringfrom Turkey’s prestigious Middle EastTechnical University, going on to pursue amaster’s degree while simultaneously workingin aerospace and defense contracting. Heenjoyed the job, but quickly realized thathe wanted to see “the big picture, to gaininternational experience and vision and toleverage my background to learn the businessside.” It was this realization that led him toUSC.“I knew going in that I wanted to transitionfrom engineering to a corporate strategy role,”he says. His time at USC prepared him well:“With the education I received at Marshall, Iam now ready to manage any type of project,”he says. Argun will have a chance to provehimself immediately, with offers for his “dreamjob” from two top high-tech companies. Hecredits the MBA program, and USC’s extensiveprofessional network, for his remarkablesuccess.For Argun, life at Marshall has been enrichingon multiple levels. “There are so many clubshere,” he says, “and unlimited leadershipopportunities.” As president of the MarshallStrategy Group, Argun has led efforts to helpstudents learn about business strategy andto connect them with recruiters. Despite arigorous academic schedule, he is seriousabout recreation: “L.A. is perfect,” he says.“I live a mile from the ocean, and I make sureI have plenty of time for hiking and beachvolleyball.”3

THE TROJAN NETWORKOur alumni are everywhere: Fortune 500 companies. Entertainmentstudios. High-tech start-ups. Family-run ventures. The diverseinterests of USC Marshall alumni take them to far-flung places tomake a lasting mark on a broad range of industries, including:n consultingn corporate finance and financial servicesn health caren high technologyn international trade and global logisticsn manufacturing and operationsn marketing and consumer productsn media and entertainmentn non-profit and educationn real estateWhatever their career path, alumni stay deeply involved with USC Marshall.They mentor students, speak at campus events, attend networkingsessions, offer job leads and hire fellow alums. Members of our alumninetwork know from personal experience that USC Marshall graduatesare among the very best, and they go out of their way to provideuncommon access and opportunities.4

What does this mean for current Marshall MBA students? Anaffiliation with USC Marshall opens a world of possibilities, supportedby a powerful group of advocates—the USC Marshall Trojan Family.This unparalleled alumni network is a lifelong resource, ready to helpa recent graduate land that first job or assist a seasoned professionalduring a mid-career change. Relationships with the Trojan networkgive graduates an inside track in a competitive job market andchallenging economy, and these enduring connections often continueto influence the trajectory of Marshall graduates’ careers.Fred V. Keenan MBA Career Resource Center (CRC)USC Marshall students will find support at every stage of their career development. Ourunflagging commitment to helping students find the right internship or full-time position isjust part of what makes the MBA Career Resource Center (CRC) such a powerful tool. Theservices offered at the CRC are comprehensive and focused: one-on-one career advising,career planning workshops, job search strategies, networking events, résumé writing,interviewing assistance and more.CRC professional staff members have more than 150 years of combined experience inbusiness and academia, covering virtually every industry and job function. They use theirexpertise to connect students with the world’s most influential companies—a winningformula for graduates who are recruited by the leading names in international business.The CRC also includes senior staff who assist international students with their uniquecircumstances. And the support we offer doesn’t stop once students graduate; USC Marshallalumni have lifetime access to the CRC’s extensive career resource library.5

A GLOBAL FOCUSA curriculum for the new millennium. The Marshall curriculum is designed toprepare students for the evolving realities of the global marketplace. Ourexpert faculty combine research and real-world experience. Our innovativecurriculum emphasizes interactive learning, enabling students to pursuediverse areas of interest and varied career paths.From the outset of their academic program, our students gain criticalinternational experience as they explore the opportunities presented bycross-cultural collaboration. USC Marshall was the first school to requireinternational travel and study projects as an integral part of every MBAdegree. Across Asia and Latin America, our students absorb key lessonsfrom established and emerging economies.USC Marshall students travel across the globe to gain invaluable newperspectives. Our students interact with and learn from executives inShanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing and Bangkok, and develop internshipsto examine the economic complexities of the European Union or tounderstand the dynamics of manufacturing in Mexico City. Uniqueexperiences like these give our students a broad perspective on theeconomic and social issues that influence markets today.6

Pacific Rim INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT Education (PRIME)PRIME puts USC Marshall’s emphasis on global concerns front and center. A corecomponent of the full-time MBA program, PRIME immerses first-year students in issuesrelated to business, markets, policies and trade in Latin America and Asia. The PRIMEexperience combines classroom study with nine days in selected Pacific Rim countries,such as China, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand and many others.Global Consulting ChaLLENGEEach year, USC Marshall hosts the Global Consulting Challenge, a competition thatallows students from the world’s leading business schools to test their problemsolvingabilities by grappling with key strategic issues facing a prominent internationalbusiness. Judges from top global industries, including AT&T, Hitachi and McKinsey &Company, share their insights and push students to find solutions to complex problems.THE BIGGER PICTUREHui Rong (Rommy) DaiUSC Marshall IBEAR mba 2009Hui Rong (Rommy) Dai is passionate abouttravel, and her interest has taken her aroundthe world, from Australia to Monaco. So it wasno surprise to her family and friends when shepacked her bags and left her native Shanghai fora year of intensive study at USC Marshall.Enrolling in the IBEARMBA program proved aperfect fit for Rommy,who parlayed anundergraduate degree ininvestment and economicsinto a successful careerin finance, but wantedto take her managerialskills to the next level. AtCitibank China and UBS,Rommy had distinguishedherself as a top performer in the field of wealthmanagement, working her way up the ranks andwinning recognition from key industry players. Asher responsibilities increased, however, so, too,did the challenges; the IBEAR MBA provided thesolution, expanding her knowledge, honing herabilities and enhancing her career development.Rommy felt immediately welcome in IBEAR MBA’sinternational community. “I’ve always worked formultinational banks,” she says, “and my family isinternational, as well. So at Marshall, which hasstudents with such different backgrounds, I fitright in.” The student diversity also contributedto a dynamic educational environment: “Weall have such different experiences,” she says,“which means we can really learn from eachother.”For Rommy, one of the best things about hertime in the IBEAR MBA program has been thepractical, hands-on focus. The curriculumencourages students to “apply what we learn inschool to real life,” she says. This helps them“see the bigger picture,” which is absolutely vitalto success in a global economy.With her MBA in hand, Rommy plans toreturn to Asia to explore new opportunities inChina’s emerging market for private wealthmanagement.7

Our full-time MBA program provides superior business training that maximizesopportunities for students. Emphasizing innovation and teamwork, the program offersthe flexibility to pursue diverse personal interests. We start with a rigorous explorationof business fundamentals—and an understanding that learning does not stop at theclassroom door. With an average work experience of five years, Marshall full-timeMBA students recognize the importance of immersing themselves in a project andfinding solutions to complex problems. We foster that entrepreneurial impulse, offeringinternships in locations that span the globe.The MBA Program for Professionals and Managers (MBA.PM) is a practical, manageableway for working professionals to earn USC Marshall’s prestigious MBA on a part-timeevening schedule. MBA.PM students receive the same thorough training offered in ourfull-time program, but at a pace designed to be sensitive to the schedules of workingprofessionals. Reaping the benefits of USC Marshall’s commitment to global business,participants embark on a weeklong overseas trip that is a highlight of the MBA.PMexperience.The Executive MBA Program (EMBA) caters to senior managers and seasonedprofessionals with a customized curriculum focused on the issues they encounterevery day. Most EMBA students arrive at USC Marshall with nearly 15 years of workexperience; experts in their own right, they come to us to deepen their knowledgeof diverse business functions. Over the course of 21 months, EMBA students meetbiweekly as they continue to pursue their full-time careers.The International Business Education and Research MBA (IBEAR MBA) is USC Marshall’saccelerated full-time program for mid-career managers with diverse backgroundsin the global arena and an average of 10 years’ work experience. In a global economydefined by constant change, the IBEAR MBA gives students a competitive edge. Theyjoin a select peer group from Asia, North America, Latin America and Europe on USC’sLos Angeles campus for a year of intensive study, including a five-month internationalconsulting project that involves working with clients to solve real-world issues.USC Marshall’s Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) is Asia’s premier graduate businessprogram. Conducted at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, GEMBA offers the samecurriculum used in USC Marshall’s top-ranked Executive MBA Program in the UnitedStates. Participants complete their degree in just 21 months, learning from seniorUSC faculty and studying alongside international industry leaders. GEMBA studentsparticipate in the only MBA in Asia that includes two one-week sessions in Los Angelesand a business study trip to an additional Asian country.8

The USC Marshall Faculty Difference“At USC Marshall, we develop responsible and thoughtfulleadership while fostering a truly global perspective. This relatesto my own research, which looks at the impact of top managerson business performance. What I have found is that leadershipmatters; it is contextual, and it has long-lasting impact on firms.In light of the recent ongoing crisis, it is even more importanttoday that boards of directors not just monitor firms butparticipate actively and have a sense of personal accountabilityin the decisions that top managers make.”Nandini RajagopalanCaptain Henry Simonsen Chair in Strategic Entrepreneurshipand Professor of Management and Organization“I’m really excited about the research I’mdoing, which focuses on understandinghow consumers behave online and howcompanies can use this informationto improve the way they interact withcustomers. I’m one of the few people in thecountry working on these issues.”Allen WeissProfessor of Marketing“One strand of research I’m involved in has to do withcorporate governance. I’m particularly interested in itsrole in emerging economies, and the extent to which goodcorporate governance can allow countries, and companieswithin countries, to access capital markets more effectively.This is obviously very topical –– and it is exciting to bedoing this work at USC Marshall, where a very globallydiverse faculty, students and administrators collaborate tofacilitate learning and discovery.”Randolph W. WesterfieldCharles B. Thornton Professor of Finance“I recently completed a project in which wewere looking at virtual stock markets. There is aHollywood stock exchange where you can place betson how much you think a movie will bring in onceit’s released. We found we could make accuratepredictions up to two months prior to the release ofa movie, which allows for the potential to influencemarketing decisions. Ultimately, the research beingconducted at USC Marshall is cutting-edge in allareas.”Gareth JamesAssociate Professor of Information and Operations ManagementImagine having coffee with a world-classscholar who literally wrote the book onbusiness leadership. Or taking classes witha renowned entrepreneur at the forefront ofcorporate innovation. Or being mentored bya successful CEO working at the top of herfield. At USC Marshall, students develop closerelationships with remarkable faculty talentfrom leading institutions and industries aroundthe world. Faculty are influential thinkers,leading policymakers and high-achievingpractitioners; accomplished researchers,respected writers and distinguished speakers.They are dedicated and award-winningteacher-scholars who are accessible andeager to share their insights, experiences andconnections.Our faculty members are thought leaders—noted experts in accounting, finance andbusiness economics, information andoperations management, management andorganization, marketing, statistics, strategyand more. Despite their broad-ranginginterests, our faculty share a commonbond—they are drawn to USC Marshall by aunique community that presents incredibleopportunities for professional growth,groundbreaking discovery and continuedlearning.Consider Gareth James, associate professorof information and operations management,and an expert in functional data analysisand statistical learning methods. His workhas been recognized with the Dean’s Awardfor Research Excellence, and has appearedin journals ranging from the Journal of theAmerican Statistical Association and JRSSB toBiometrika, Bioinformatics, Machine Learningand Medical Care. Another distinguishedfaculty member is Nandini Rajagopalan,who holds the Captain Henry SimonsenChair in Strategic Entrepreneurship, and isprofessor of management and organizationand an authority on strategic management.A former associate editor at the Academy ofManagement Journal, she currently serves onits editorial board, as well as on the boards ofStrategic Management Journal, the Journal ofWorld Business and Business Horizons.James’s and Rajagopalan’s work sets a highstandard for achievement in research andtypifies the thought leadership USC Marshallfaculty bring to every endeavor.9

Andrew DoUSC Marshall MBA.PM 2009Andrew Do learned a key business lesson earlyin his career. The Johns Hopkins-educatedcomputer scientist went to work at Boeingafter receiving his master’s degree andsoon realized that, “while you need peopleto perform the technical function, the realvalue-added is a factorof people who can fusetechnical knowledgewith businessknowledge.” Eager to“catapult my career tothe next level,” Andrewentered the MBA. PMprogram PM program at USC at USCMarshall.Recognizing thefinancial benefits ofworking while pursuing his degree, Andrewkept his job as a technical lead doingenterprise IT. He admits that balancing workand study was “a definite challenge,” but says,“I’m a much better part-time student than afull-time one. Having the structure of my jobcreated a context for me to fit in classes andcoursework throughout the rest of my day.”At Marshall, Andrew found a supportive,collaborative environment with colleagueswho have become friends. “My classmates arethe best,” he says. “They’ve really cementedthe experience for me. From day one, it wasclear that we weren’t here just to learn, butto help each other out. No one is out to getanyone else, and we all realize that the moresuccessful we are as a whole, the moresuccessful we are as individuals.”As student body president, Andrew developedlasting relationships and critical leadershipskills. With 13 vice presidents reporting to himacross seven different functions, the positionhas allowed him to appreciate the complexitiesof management — and the value of a top-tierbusiness education. “What’s great aboutMarshall is that the learning here starts waybefore I enter the classroom, and doesn’t stoponce I leave.”ADVANCING A CAreerMeeting the demands of a global age means not simply respondingto, but anticipating unfolding events in business. It’s aboutleadership, and at USC Marshall, it defines everything we do.Our specialized Centers of Excellence are no exception. As pioneersacross business disciplines, USC Marshall faculty have built oneof-a-kindinstitutions that offer research support, host influentialconferences and provide exposure to industry heavyweights. Thesecenters are incubators for new concepts and fresh approaches thatdistinguish USC Marshall as a prime source of ideas that make adifference.n Lloyd Greif Center forEntrepreneurial StudiesLeading the nation inentrepreneurship education andresearchn Lusk Center for Real EstateAdvancing real estate knowledgeand addressing issues affecting theindustryn Society and Business LabBringing business resources to bearon global community needsn Center for Effective OrganizationsBreaking new ground in researchinto organizational effectivenessn Center for Global InnovationExploring innovation as it relates tothe welfare of consumers, the successof firms and the wealth of nationsn Center for International BusinessEducation and ResearchBroadening USC’s contributions tothe international competitiveness ofU.S. firmsn Center for Investment StudiesPromoting cutting-edge researchinto investments and the workings offinancial marketsn Center for ManagementCommunicationPreparing business leaders tomanage the communicationdemands of a global marketplacen Center for TechnologyCommercializationSupporting researchers, frominvention to commercial productsn The Global Branding CenterDeveloping path-breaking globalbranding researchn Initiative and Referendum InstituteBuilding bridges between USC andpolicymakers, journalists and thepublic through the practice of directdemocracyn Institute for CommunicationTechnology ManagementHelping the networked digitalindustry and its customers prosper10

Getting Involved at USC MarshallAt USC Marshall, students find a wealth of opportunities to explore emerging interests,test new ideas and practice their entrepreneurial skills outside the academic realm.From Day One, an array of clubs and associations welcomes students, helping themmake lifelong friends and connections, and challenging them to develop key leadershipskills that will serve them in their future careers. Our constantly growing list of studentorganizations includes:■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■American Finance AssociationBlack Graduate Business LeadersBusiness of Entertainment AssociationEntrepreneur and Venture ManagementAssociationGay and Lesbian AssociationGlobal Executive OrganizationGlobal Consulting ChallengeGraduate Asian Business SocietyGraduate Real Estate Association■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■Graduate Women in BusinessHigh-Tech AssociationJewish Association of Marshall StudentsLatino Management and BusinessAssociationMarshall Hospitality and Gaming ClubMarshall Management Consulting ClubMarshall Military Veterans AssociationMarshall Sports Business OrganizationSouth Asian Business AssociationBUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPSRichard ChangUSC Marshall GEMBA 2008Over the course of 20-plus years in informationtechnology, Richard Chang experienced firsthandhow business bridges political, cultural andother boundaries. It was this perspective thatdrew him to USC Marshall’s GEMBA program,with its robust diversity and focus on globalbusiness practices. “An international educationcoupled with a theme-based, integratedcurriculum,” he says,“helps you understand thevalue of building strongrelationships.” When itcomes to forming lifelongprofessional and socialnetworks, USC Marshallis heads above thecompetition.“I really loved being withmy classmates,” says Richard, who notes that,over the course of the program, his GEMBAcolleagues developed a lasting camaraderiethat continues long after graduation. Thiscloseness is typical of GEMBA, which fosters“a collaborative environment where you learnas much from student interaction and inputas from professors” — the result, accordingto Richard, of “my classmates’ diverse workexperience” and a “tremendous” faculty who“are renowned experts in their fields and highlypersonable and very accessible.” The USCnetwork again comes into play: By the time youfinish your degree, observes Richard, “you’veformed relationships with professors that gowell beyond the classroom.”Born in Taipei and raised in Southern California,Richard moved back to Asia to become presidentand general manager of Perot SystemsShanghai, a worldwide provider of IT andbusiness process outsourcing services. It wasduring the relocation process that he enrolledin GEMBA, which “was fantastic because itabsolutely allowed for a well-balanced loadbetween strenuous studies and a demandingwork schedule and family responsibilities.”For Richard, GEMBA is all in the family: His wife,Amy Chung, is also a program graduate. Today,Richard, Amy and their growing family are backin the States — this time, in Austin, Texas,where he leveraged his new MBA into a plummanagement consulting position with Alsbridge,an innovator in the global sourcing advisoryservices industry.11

The USC Executive MBAprogram is ranked 4th overallby The Wall Street Journal in its“Best Executive MBA Programsfor 2008.”12

Los Angeles: USC Marshall puts students at the heart of LosAngeles and Southern California, giving them access to thepeople and places that make the L.A. region a global force.As one of the world’s most dynamic, diverse and successfulbusiness centers, L.A. is equal parts international trendsetterand cultural crossroads. Home to more than 15 Fortune500 companies, Los Angeles is a thriving multiculturalenvironment and a gateway to the global economy. Studentsat USC Marshall are immersed in a vibrant internationalcity that is a major player in emerging economies across thePacific Rim.The University of Southern California, one of the world’sleading private research universities, offers a global outlookas well as close ties with the local community, providingopportunities to gain real-world experience while makinga lasting impact. Students also benefit from an array ofexperiences beyond the campus. Just three miles fromUSC, downtown Los Angeles is home to the Museum ofContemporary Art, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a clusterof other Music Center venues featuring major theatre, operaand dance productions. A short drive from USC are storiednight clubs featuring everything from jazz to hip-hop tosalsa, small theatres, trendy shops and restaurants servingfood from around the world. Sports fans enjoy the proximityof Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers basketballteam, and Dodger Stadium. Other prime attractions in LosAngeles and neighboring cities include the Los AngelesCounty Museum of Art, The Getty Center, The Getty Villa,Universal Studios Hollywood, Disneyland, the Norton SimonMuseum of Art, and the Huntington Library, Art Collectionsand Botanical Gardens.L.A. truly has it all—and USC Marshall stands at its center.LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATIONSuresh JeyachandranUSC Marshall IBEAR MBA 2009As an engineer at Toshiba, one of Japan’s mostprestigious corporations, Suresh Jeyachandranenjoyed an exciting career in software productdevelopment. But as he moved up the ranksand assumed greater responsibilities, Sureshrealized that he “had technical knowledge,but needed managementknowledge; that was themissing link for me.”Exploring his optionsfor graduate study, hediscovered USC Marshall’sone-year intensive IBEARprogram.From the beginning, heknew he had chosenwell. Marshall, he says,offers an unbeatablecombination: “The faculty is amazing, theTrojan network is invaluable and the locationreally matters.” As Suresh points out, “Whenyou’re in business school, you don’t want to becut off from the world; you want to be wherethings are happening.” And with its incrediblebusiness diversity and proximity to the AsiaPacific Region, Los Angeles is the ideallaboratory for new ideas.With 18 years of work experience and over50 patents to his credit, Suresh had stackedup an impressive array of accomplishmentsbefore coming to Marshall. It’s a level ofachievement shared by his IBEAR colleagueswho, at an average age of 34, “are veryseasoned. Discussions in class are extremelymature, and everyone is able to relatewhat the professors are saying to their ownexperiences.” This, he points out, is yetanother way that Marshall distinguishes itselffrom the competition.For Suresh, there was an additional reasonto relocate his wife and young daughter toSouthern California. “My favorite place isDisneyland, because my daughter likes it somuch.” His interest is not purely personal: TheMagic Kingdom, says, Suresh, “is all aboutengineering and customer satisfaction. Froma business point of view, there’s a lot to learn.So going there isn’t just for my daughter.”13

THE UNIVERSITYFounded in 1880, USC is the oldest private researchuniversity in the West and is consistentlyranked in the country’s top tier of nationalresearch institutions. The University ofSouthern California enrolls 17,000 graduateand professional students from throughoutthe United States and the world. Given USC’semphasis on globalization, it’s not surprisingthat the university has the largest number ofinternational students of any university in theUnited States. More than 340 internationallyregarded graduate and professional programs,extensive opportunities for internships andstudy abroad, and a vast library system haveattracted graduate students with diverseinterests and backgrounds. Graduate studentscomprise more than half of USC’s overallstudent body. They have myriad opportunitiesfor interdisciplinary study at the USC Collegeof Letters, Arts and Sciences and USC’s 17professional schools.14

Ranked #6 in thecountry by U.S. News& World Report, ourLeventhal School ofAccounting attractstop talent–and topemployers.BusinessWeek ranks USCMarshall’s part-time MBAprogram as one of thenation’s 3 best.USC Marshall’sMBA programsdraw studentsfrom Brazil, China,Germany, Italy,India, Japan,Mexico, Poland,South Korea,Venezuela, andother countries.USC Marshall is 13th worldwide in theUniversity of Texas-Dallas Top 100 Business SchoolResearch Rankings.92.5% of our full-time MBA studentssecure full-time employment within threemonths of graduation.A powerful combinationLeslie WhiteUSC Marshall MBA 2009After graduating from Stanford with a B.A. ineconomics, Leslie White accepted a positionas assistant director of Score! EducationalCenters, a subsidiary of Kaplan, Inc. Withinthree-and-a-half years, she was promotedfive times, ultimatelyachieving the titleof regional director.Running 10 tutoringcenters in the Bay Area,she learned firsthandthe value of “jumping inand learning by doing.”Leslie thrived in thejob, but recognizedthe importance ofcatching her breath andreflecting on the experience. “I wanted to takea moment and understand why what I wasdoing was working — or not working,” shesays. “And business school seemed like thebest way to do it.”As she researched MBA programs, USCMarshall quickly rose to the top of herlist. “Size was a big factor,” she says.Marshall offered both a small class size andaccess to the resources of a large privateuniversity, which Leslie calls “a very powerfulcombination.” The school’s global focus and“legendary” network were also big sellingpoints. But for Leslie, what sealed the dealwas meeting the people. “I could tell rightaway that everyone really took the TrojanFamily concept to heart,” she says. “There’sa real sense that the goal at Marshall is foreveryone to make it through and succeed.”Success is something Leslie knows all about.An internship in corporate finance at Frito Layled to a full-time offer. Her PRIME (PacificRim International Management Education)experience, which sent her to Beijing andShanghai to develop an economic modelfor Tyson Foods, was so well received thather project team was flown to Arkansasand Washington, D.C. to present their workto company executives and officials at theUSDA. She also has served in numerousleadership positions on campus. For Leslie,who is married and has an infant son, the USCMarshall experience has been a balancingact — and a lesson in effective timemanagement.15

Todd CushmanUSC Marshall EMBA 2003Todd Cushman came to USC Marshalllooking to develop an entirely new skill set.The founder of a successful surgical devicemanufacturing and distribution business, Toddeventually sold his company to Medtronic, aglobal leader in medical technology. Now partof a vastly larger corporateenvironment, the Browneducatedentrepreneurrecognized that he wouldneed the skills only anMBA could provide.Choosing USC Marshall’sEMBA program was aneasy decision. “For me,”he says, “it was perfect: Iliked the courses and theprofessors, and the waythe program was structured enabled me tobalance a busy career and family life.” EMBAmet another of Todd’s key criteria: a definedbeginning and end point. “I didn’t want to draga program out forever,” he says. Instead, hewas eager to finish his degree and pursue theopportunities it presented.From the outset, Todd was struck by Marshall’sstrong sense of community and “‘fight on’spirit.” His classmates forged a common bond,offering one another support and a broadrange of perspectives. “Everyone had suchinteresting backgrounds and experiences,” hesays, “so when you had to tackle a businessproblem, you could examine it from multipleangles.”For Todd, a Marshall MBA was about morethan just exposure to diverse viewpoints,fascinating international travel and accessto the school’s renowned alumni network.USC Marshall also offered a curriculum thatemphasized both business fundamentals andcutting-edge business strategies, making ithighly relevant to “the modern challenges andopportunities occurring in business today.”This focus on “the things it takes to sustainsuccess” proved invaluable as Todd soughta ground-floor opportunity with Bioness, aninnovative provider of technology that helpspeople recover from neurological disorders.Today, he is the company’s senior globalmanager of business development.LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN“Good organizations andgood leaders, especially inour tense and uncertainmoment in history, have the capacity to bounceback; to adapt as necessary; to persevere withan expectation of success; to engage others in ashared sense of purpose; and to win a reputationfor integrity through these other qualities,” USCMarshall Distinguished Professor Warren Benniswrote in a 2009 essay in BusinessWeek.Bennis is author of On Becoming A Leader,named one of the best leadership books of alltime. He is a legendary member of our faculty,who are committed to engaging USC Marshallstudents in the world of ideas that drive business.Our students pursue personal goals and hailfrom all walks of life, but they share certainfundamental qualities in common: Passion. Drive.Integrity.Teamwork is at the core of life at USC Marshall.From our curriculum to our emphasis oninternational travel to our global alumninetwork, we foster an atmosphere of cooperationand collaboration. This is the USC Marshalldifference.16Photo Credits: Philip Channing © 2006, 2007 University of Southern California; JCH Studios; William Vasta;Troy Witt/Take One Productions

Marshall School of BusinessUniversity of Southern CaliforniaPopovich Hall Room 308630 Childs WayLos Angeles, CA 90089-2633Telephone: (213) 740-7846Fax: (213) 749-8520e-mail: marshallmba@marshall.usc.eduwww. marshall.usc.edu