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Kelley Direct Online MBA

Communications and marketing professional Meredith Tierney-Beed shares why in-person experiences and values alignment were key to choosing the Kelley Direct Online MBA

Posted on by Kelley School

In this article: 

  • See why the prospect of intentional in-person programming was so important to Meredith Tierney-Beed when she chose the Kelley Direct Online MBA—and how she maximized the experiences. 
  • Learn about transformational leadership opportunities Kelley Direct students experience through Reaching Out MBA. 
  • Celebrate the discovery that “bringing my full, authentic self to my career is not just possible but advantageous.” 

Meredith Tierney-Beed demanded a lot from an online MBA. Beyond academic rigor and flexibility, she wanted opportunities to really get to know her classmates and professors and a program that aligns with her values and passion for LGBTQ2+ advocacy, social justice, and health equity. A communications associate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Tierney-Beed plans to graduate in summer 2025. Read about her Kelley Direct Online MBA journey and the impact of her Reaching Out MBA fellowship. 

Why did you choose Kelley Direct? 

The Kelley Direct program offers the perfect blend of academic rigor, flexibility, and values alignment that I sought in an MBA program. It presented an opportunity to advance my career and become a leader capable of bridging the worlds of social impact and business strategy.   

The Kelley Direct program’s emphasis on team-based learning and intentional in-person experiences also really appealed to me, since I’m such a people person.  

Knowing that I would connect and network with my classmates, faculty, and staff in person during required residencies really was a deciding factor.  

 I knew that if I were to do an online program, I would need dedicated time to connect with classmates and faculty members in person to build strong connections. I never expected to meet people who I travel to, laugh and cry with, and know I will have by my side for the rest of my life.  (more…)

Researching online MBAs? When to use ChatGPT (and when to avoid it)

Posted on by Kelley School

In this article

  • Learn about the benefits and pitfalls of leveraging large language models (LLMs) like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT to perform research.
  • Find out why prospective students should be cautious when comparing online MBA programs using ChatGPT.

As the adoption of AI becomes increasingly widespread, tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT are aiding a variety of business and academic tasks in new and exciting ways—generating ideas, summarizing data, comparing information, outlining content, and performing preliminary research, to name a few. 

“For many of us, large language models (LLMs) like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT have replaced search engines for more complex tasks,” says Will Geoghegan, clinical professor and chair of the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program.  These AI-powered tools can quickly compile data from multiple online sources and help users compare information. 

For example, Geoghegan says prospective students are increasingly using ChatGPT to triangulate which online MBAs are consistently ranked among top schools. While this can be a helpful first step, he recommends exercising caution—particularly when it comes to making important personal decisions based on AI-generated information. 

“AI is amazing as a starting point—but the information should always be validated,” says Geoghegan. 

What are the challenges of using AI for research? 

The decision-making process that an AI model uses to provide information is not always transparent, even to experts. This can become a challenge for applications where a prospective student needs to understand the rationale behind a conclusion or recommendation—such as ranking online graduate programs. 

LLMs are built to always provide an answer—and that answer may be a predictive guess if the model doesn’t find the information you’re looking for. This tendency is referred to as a hallucination, when the technology provides an inaccurate response instead of saying, “I don’t know.”  

“There can be plenty of issues with hallucinations and questionable rigor,” says Geoghegan.

Another challenge inherent to the technology comes from the fact that an AI model learns from the data it is trained on. If the information that feeds the model includes bias or inaccuracies, those inaccuracies or prejudices can be perpetuated. 

And AI models can produce results that are difficult to replicate for a variety of reasons—the proprietary nature of the algorithm, slight changes to the data processing, or differences in hardware, for example. Reproducibility is critical for accurate research, and these issues can quickly become a challenge in business and academic contexts. 

“While AI is a powerful tool, it is not infallible,” says Geoghegan. “Overreliance on AI can have real-world impacts. AI should augment human expertise, not replace it.” 

Putting ChatGPT to the test: What is the best online MBA program? 

To illustrate Geoghegan’s point, we asked ChatGPT about the best online MBA program. “Best” depends on several subjective and objective factors, which it is quick to point out, but the tool ultimately doesn’t provide the same 2024 rankings as the most reputable rankings sources—nor is it transparent about where the information is coming from or how decisions were made to rank schools. 

In this ChatGPT example, the Kelley Direct Online MBA is ranked third by ChatGPT—when in reality, the program is currently ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, QS, Poets&Quants, and Fortune. 

How can you verify AI-generated information? 

When it comes to making real-life decisions that can have personal impacts—like which MBA programs to consider—Geoghegan recommends verifying data from an AI tool against those respected rankings sources. 

These rankings bodies each have a complex methodology to evaluate online MBA programs each year. For example, U.S. News & World Report compares and ranks online MBA programs based on:  

  • Student engagement 
  • Opportunities to interact with peers and professors both online and in person 
  • The responsiveness of faculty and staff 
  • The credentials of the faculty and instructors 
  • The aptitudes and accomplishments of students and alumni 
  • The support services such as career coaching and financial aid resources 
  • Technology capabilities that enhance distance learning 

Poets&Quants’ annual rankings compare three equally-weighted categories—admission standards, academic experience, and career outcomes—while The Princeton Review considers 18 different categories. Fortune, in contrast, exclusively looks at Fortune 1000 data to weigh where the leaders of the biggest publicly traded companies in the United States earned their MBA. 

These rankings often incorporate alumni feedback—and can offer a much more reliable perspective to help prospective students make decisions. 

Many online MBA programs themselves offer additional tools to help students compare programs. Kelley Direct offers an MBA comparison tool, which is designed to provide students with guidance on how to research programs based on their needs and interests. 

Do prompts really make a difference? 

Prompt engineering, or the instructions that you use to ask an AI model to perform a task, can make a difference in getting more accurate output, says Geoghegan. Whenever possible, use prompts that are specific and clear. 

“Asking for ‘online MBA rankings’ versus something more complex and specific like ‘create a table of online MBA rankings using The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, Poets&Quants, Fortune, and QS’ might yield different results, even though the annual rankings are objective,” says Geoghegan.  

Geoghegan also points out that the tool matters—not just the prompt. The instructions “can you create a table of online MBA rankings” with some specific sources returns incorrect information from ChatGPT.  

For this reason, Geoghegan encourages students to consider Microsoft Copilot over other AI tools because it tends to be more reliable. 

“Copilot will link to the source for the information (like the rankings bodies you’re asking it to pull from), so you have the opportunity to do the more in-depth, rigorous validation of the information yourself,” says Geoghegan.  

The bottom line 

AI can serve as a powerful tool for prospective MBA students who want to quickly aggregate and organize the information that’s available online. But the best way to make confident decisions is to conduct your own additional personal research to validate AI-generated content.

Comparing online MBAs? Learn more about top considerations to find the right program.  

Student story: Physician, medical administrator, and working mom Sue Chung fills knowledge gaps with Kelley Direct Online MBA

Posted on by Kelley School

In this article

  • Learn why Kelley Direct student Sue Chung, MD, chose to pursue an online MBA in a boardroom aha moment.
  • See Chung’s considerations for the Kelley Direct Online MBA versus a program specifically focused on health care administration.
  • Get tips for researching online MBA programs.

Rheumatologist Sue Chung serves as the chair of medicine for Facey Medical Group and the vice chair of the Providence Medical Group Board in Glendale, CA. As a full-time physician, medical administrator, and mother of two, Sue shares why she wanted to pursue the full-time Kelley Direct Online MBA and how she makes it work. 

What led you to the Kelley Direct Online MBA? 

I made the decision to pursue an MBA program while sitting in a boardroom. We were trying to solve a real-world problem and were having a difficult time. We realized we lacked some strategy expertise that was needed in the situation. 

Serving on the executive boards in my practice group and our healthcare system made me realize that I wanted to hone business skills and expand my network to learn from others in the business community—which included thought leaders at Kelley. 

 My only apprehension with an online MBA was about how I would balance the work with my already full life. But as I researched experiences from other Kelley Direct students, I heard that there was sufficient flexibility—yet the rigor and excellence—that I needed to achieve my goals.   (more…)

Student story: Neuropsychologist, author, and entrepreneur Michelle Braun balances work and life with Kelley Direct Online MBA

Posted on by Kelley School

In this article 

  • See why Kelley Direct student Michelle Braun, PhD, chose to pursue an online MBA while juggling a successful career as a neuropsychologist, author, entrepreneur, and mom.
  • Learn about Braun’s top considerations when she was comparing MBA programs and why she chose the Kelley Direct Online MBA.  
  • Find out what surprised Braun most about the program when her coursework began.  

As a national leader in the field of brain health and cognitive functioning, Michelle Braun, PhD, ABPP-CN, sees a tremendous opportunity to create products and services that maximize brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease—and that’s ultimately what drove her to pursue the Kelley Direct Online MBA. 

After the success of her recent book, High-Octane Brain: 5 Science-Based Steps to Sharpen Your Memory and Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s, Braun chose to embark on the next chapter of her journey and earn an MBA while continuing to practice neuropsychology at Ascension Health Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Braun sat down to share her Kelley Direct experience, including her advice for balancing studies with other responsibilities and her top considerations for pursuing an online MBA.  

What motivated you to pursue an online MBA? 

I work in neuropsychology, the science of the software of the brain. In a neuropsychological assessment, we look at memory, attention, and visual and spatial skills to diagnose cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. I had been thinking about getting an MBA for many years, because, to expand public health services and make an impact on a larger scale, I need to understand the mechanics and the fundamentals of business. 

I chose to apply for an online MBA program because the in-person program I attempted to start was too time-intensive to balance with a full-time job and wanting to have work-life balance. 

I was drawn to an online MBA because I wanted to have that synthesis—that sweet spot of being able to have an active work life and family life but also to level up my education with an MBA. 

My goal in the program is to become an entrepreneur—to bridge science with business knowledge, to serve the global community in novel ways, and to get products and services in brain health out to the public. We are at a time in history when the older adult population will double in the coming decades, and, in tandem, the incidence of Alzheimer’s will triple. What is being called the “Silver Tsunami” will equate to a staggering 150 million cases of Alzheimer’s worldwide. 

Being able to merge scientific knowledge with business knowledge is instrumental in trying to move the needle and provide information that will serve the global community with tools for prevention and intervention.  

And I want to be able to move fast. With Kelley Direct, I have an opportunity now, concurrently to my core coursework, to develop those business ideas without waiting until I get to the point where I can take electives.  

The experiences of writing a successful book, having an active blog on brain health in Psychology Today, and being featured in major media, really ignited a sense of motivation to level up how I share information. That was a big part of what led me to pursue the Kelley Direct Online MBA. Without Kelley Direct,I think I would have remained somewhat stagnant in my ability to connect and to influence what I hope will be a movement focused on brain health. 

What factored into your decision-making process in choosing Kelley Direct? 

What drew me in initially was Kelley’s number-one ranking. Not only was Kelley Direct ranked No. 1 the year before I was looking, but it had consecutively been ranked No. 1. To uphold that level of quality in such a dynamic industry is a challenge, but it also speaks to the integrity of the program. 

The program’s longevity in the online space really stood out to me. Since 1999, the program has been refined and honed, and the core curriculum has evolved over time. Even more weighty to me is the fact that Kelley’s expert faculty are the ones creating and delivering the content. That truly is unique among the top-tier online MBA programs—especially with those that also provide that hybrid on-campus connection point with cohorts.  

I depend on integrity in the educational process. I’m a busy professional, and I need to have a high sense of confidence in the content that I’m learning. I feel that Kelley Direct provides that beyond what I was seeing in other programs. 

 There is a great legacy of success from Kelley Direct, including a number of graduates who went on to create their own companies and put the information they learned into action in the real world. 

To me, Kelley Direct really strikes that sweet spot—learning from the best with the best. 

What was the Kelley Direct admissions process like? 

My admissions process to Kelley Direct was actually fun. I submitted an essay application, which was thought-provoking in terms of how I would want to apply the information that I’m learning. 

I had the benefit of doing a really nice phone interview and learning more about the program directly. During that conversation, I requested a number of really specific pieces of information that were sent to me immediately to help me explore. 

I knew right away that I was in contact with experts. That was very clear from the first communication. I had the opposite experience, unfortunately, researching other programs. 

The quality of the information provided by some of the other programs I contacted suggested that it was unlikely that the person responding to my emails actually worked for the university. That was later confirmed.  

The Kelley Direct admissions office is onsite, with staff responding to emails and able to give the information that was crucial for me in making decisions. 

I also was able to get a scholarship and learn more about my cohort ahead of time. Those pieces came together to make the admissions process quick and easy. 

What has surprised you about your Kelley Direct experience? 

The program goes beyond the coursework and content of an MBA to provide a sense of community and faculty support. For example, when I was in Bloomington for Kelley On Campus, I was able to connect with faculty members that I don’t even have classes with and set up meetings with them. They’re helping me develop my business ideas and making me feel like I’m a part of the university.  

The Kelly Direct faculty are experts in their field, and they are not just experts in the specific content area they teach, but also experts in education. Many are award-winning professors and teach in the Kelley Full-Time MBA program. These are not adjunct professors—these are full-time professors. 

Even though the program is online, knowing that Indiana University is a hub that I can depend on and that I feel connected to through the faculty, through my cohort, and through the alumni network is really an amazing surprise to me. I expected it, but not to the degree that I’ve experienced it. 

The support that I’ve received from faculty members that I’m not directly taking classes with has been a huge benefit. If I have a question and I send an email to a Kelley Direct faculty member, they usually get back to me within a day. When I meet on Zoom with a professor, I am directly meeting face to face. And I find that discussion boards are closely attended to by the professors. 

That response time and the level of detail and care, consistently across the faculty and staff, shows me that students are a priority.  

What has it looked like to interact with your cohort? 

Kelley On Campus was a quintessential opportunity to fuel and strengthen connections in my cohort. It was amazing to meet my team members in person and bring those relationships to the next level. Having in-person experiences has been instrumental in creating the sense of support that we can depend on one another. 

There’s something magical about going through a challenge together, understanding that we are all busy and leading these multipart lives, working full time. We have families, we have hobbies, and we have a passion to bring our knowledge to the next level. And we’re all doing it together. That sense of bonding is priceless and a wonderful surprise. 

What is it like to balance an online MBA with your other priorities?  

When I was deciding whether I wanted to pursue an online MBA, I wondered how I would manage my work-life balance. On a day-to-day basis, I juggle full-time clinical practice; my roles as a mom, a wife, a daughter, and a sister; my professional pursuits like editing a book and maintaining an active blog; my involvement in my community and neighborhood; and my exercise schedule, which pays dividends from a cognitive perspective. 

I realized that there is never a perfect time. Pursuing an MBA requires great commitment, but it also provides great reward. 

I knew I would have to come in with a plan for balancing my responsibilities. But I also knew I would be surrounded by others who were in a similar situation to me, who also were working full time, balancing family, and wanting to better themselves. That community, and the support that I’ve received, has exceeded my expectations. 

When I was embarking on my studies, I wondered how I was going to carve out more time in my schedule, because I already felt like I was at capacity. After starting Kelley Direct, my mindset has certainly shifted to one of greater efficiency. It is important for me to be mindful of how I’m spending my time. I find myself analyzing that more than before and connecting with others who are in similar situations to get more ideas about how to balance. 

I also think about the things that fuel my energy and pay dividends like exercising, but also how to harness the social network in my household. My husband and my family have taken on more responsibilities, understanding that this is something they can do to help support my educational process. I have also declined some external projects, so I can focus on school.  

I often bring my Kelley Direct homework along to what we’re doing as a family. When my daughter sees me studying, I want her to understand that education is truly a lifelong pursuit. 

How have you applied what you’ve learned to your clinical practice? 

The Kelley Direct Online MBA has made me think differently about the healthcare services I provide in a larger framework. For example, I’m thinking for the first time about the operational management of those services, how to streamline them, and how to make them more value-focused for the patient. 

What I’ve learned in the program has also had an immediate impact on my understanding of business processes at a macro level beyond the individual services I provide. The integration of that knowledge into my clinical practice has given me a lot of new entrepreneurial ideas that I hadn’t envisioned initially. 

What advice would you give to prospective students?  

If you’re considering leveling up your skills and education, it is doable to manage a full-time job and a sense of work-life balance as well as the incredible learning opportunities you get in Kelley Direct.  

I’d recommend the Kelley Direct Online MBA program to other professionals because it allows you to move to the next level of your career in a greater, more efficient, more exciting way than anything else I can imagine. It pays off immediately in your daily work, and frankly, in how you look at the world, including your ability to conceptualize information and to provide added value in the workplace. 

As a tool for self-enrichment, Kelley Direct can’t be beat. I would encourage anyone who’s thinking about the program to reach out to students directly, myself included. 

Learn more about the return on investment of the Kelley Direct Online MBA or schedule a one-on-one with an admissions staff member. 

 

How does an online MBA program work?

Posted on by Kelley School

In this article  

  • Learn about the differences between an online and in-person MBA, including the pros and cons of synchronous vs. asynchronous programming.  
  • Get considerations for choosing an online MBA program, including the caliber of the faculty, the availability of career coaching, the opportunities for networking, and the options for in-person experiences.  
  • Find out about the advantages of an MBA degree and how much time and financial investment an online MBA can take.   

Pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can offer invaluable experiences to further your career or make a pivot in a new direction. But if you love where you live, have family and friends nearby, or have an already-demanding job, uprooting to start an MBA can feel out of reach.

That’s where an online MBA program can be invaluable. Doing most of the coursework online makes it possible for professionals with busy schedules to further their education without relocating to a new city or leaving their current job.

In 1999, the Kelley School of Business became the first top 20 business school to launch an online MBA. Today, Kelley Direct has been ranked as the #1 Online MBA by U.S. News & World Report, Poets&Quants, Princeton Review, and Fortune.

Because we pioneered the online MBA, we know the ins and outs of what works best for professionals in terms of an online MBA curriculum and experience.

In this article, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions from professionals considering an online MBA—so you can know exactly what to expect and decide if pursuing an MBA online is right for you.

Understanding the structure of an online MBA: Is an online MBA as good as a residential program? 

Comparing online and in-person programs involves a few considerations. First, there are two MBA categories: programs that are synchronous, and programs that are asynchronous. Synchronous programs have scheduled, real-time classes that take place every week, usually over an online meeting platform. Asynchronous programs happen on a student’s own time, and don’t require them to attend scheduled classes throughout the week.

(more…)

Kelley Direct Faculty Q&A Series: April Sellers

Posted on by Kelley School

April Sellers is the Pam Meyer Yttri Director of Kinsey-Kelley Center for Gender Equity in Business and a clinical professor of business law and ethics. She attended the (now) Maurer School of Law and Ohio Wesleyan University and joined the Kelley School of Business in 2015 after a career as a litigator with a large law firm.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

By far, my favorite part is connecting with students in a way where we learn from each other—not just in teaching them content, but by learning new ways of looking at things from class discussion. Over years of teaching the course, I’ve learned how eager students are to understand the law better. From reading the news or looking at legal documents, the law can seem very confusing and esoteric.

What can students expect from your Kelley Direct online MBA courses?

Kelley faculty are top-notch: experienced, knowledgeable in their field, and committed to students. Over years of teaching the course, I’ve learned how eager students are to understand the law better. From reading the news or looking at legal documents, the law can seem very confusing and esoteric. One goal of the class is to make it more relatable to the students’ everyday lives: for example, principles of contract law can be pretty abstract, but learning about what makes a non-compete enforceable (or not) is very useful and something most students can apply to their professional lives. Similarly, in the area of business ethics, by studying businesses that went through a crisis, students can learn some concrete skills for tough discussions in their careers. I love hearing students share their own stories about how they have learned what helps them make ethical decisions, or how they have spoken up at certain times when something concerned them.

What is some advice you would give to students about work/life balance? What do you tell your students how best to manage their time to be successful?

Let me know when you figure it out so I can follow it! I don’t think of a balance as a place to arrive at; it’s a daily battle to meet all of life’s obligations and it never really goes away. Instead, take it day-by-day, week-by-week. I love setting a timer all day long, for about 25 to 45-minute increments, to help stay focused. Decide for yourself why you’re in the program—write that down and remind yourself of that. It’s different for everyone.

Tell us about your work with the Kinsey-Kelley Center for Gender Equity in Business. Why is this important to you? How does it make an impact in equitability at Kelley and in their future business careers?

The Kinsey-Kelley Center for Gender Equity in Business works in three areas: research, student-facing initiatives, and outreach. I’m really proud of the regular faculty workshops we host at Kelley to highlight the impactful research happening in the area of gender and business: issues of the pay gap and pregnancy discrimination, for example. My colleagues and I have spoken to groups of students, as well as academic and organizational leaders about best practices surrounding gender in the workplace. As the Center approaches its second birthday, we’ve got a lot of initiatives planned for further ways to amplify the work that needs to be done. While more women are certainly represented in leadership, the gap remains enormous: only about 10 %t of Chief Operating or Chief Executive Officers are women; about 1 in 4 C-suite leaders are women, and only about 1 in 16 are women of color.

I love discussing these issues with students, and I’ve learned from students sharing their own stories of hoping to rise higher against obstacles in their own organizations.

How do you keep students engaged in an online classroom?

It’s not always easy to make, say, the law of contracts engaging. I rely a lot on current events; there are lots of unexpected connections to our material in the news or even in fiction. It’s helpful for students to jump into discussions during our online sessions.

What do you tell your students if/when they ask about accelerating their career?

When those conversations happen, we discuss why they are thinking of making a change or pursuing some particular path—again, it looks different for everyone. A theme, perhaps, is to make sure it’s their goal and not someone else’s.

I advise students to keep an eye on why they’re getting their MBA and, if they’re struggling, to explore exactly why. The curriculum can be challenging: if you’re doing it because someone else wants you to do it, you’re unlikely to be successful. And be aware of which topics are more likely to cause you to stumble: are you an excellent reader? Great with numbers? Are you having trouble finding focused time at home to do the work without interruption? All of that is understandable; but don’t ignore whatever a stumbling block might be, and let’s work on finding ways to improve it.

What is something people may not understand about online learning?

It does require pacing over time—it’s not a good idea to try to work ahead. Instead, think of yourself as learning in step with others over the long term.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I love to bake and have a ridiculously (mostly useless) memory for cookbooks, which I sort of read like novels.

Your book recommendation for MBAs?

I love book recommendations! Some favorites are How Boards Work by Dambisa Moyo; any fiction by Zadie Smith or George Sanders (I think fiction teaches us a lot about life); and Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Kelley Direct Faculty Q&A Series: Kelly Eskew

Posted on by Kelley School

Kelly Eskew, Clinical Professor of Business Law & Ethics and the Director of Education for the Kelley Institute for Environmental and Social Sustainability, shares her experience teaching in the Kelley Direct Online MBA program.

Describe your background and career experience.

I’m originally from Indianapolis, though I spent about 10 years in Seattle and then Albuquerque. I came back for law school, which I started in my early 30s. I have an undergraduate degree in philosophy, my law degree, and then I went back to school again and did a masters in US history 12 years ago.

Kelly Eskew’s basset hounds, Posy (front) and Poppy

I spent the first 10 years of my law career as a litigator and appellate attorney in private practice. I represented the doctors who invented Gatorade and the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, among others, and have a number of published decisions. I then went in-house with IU Health, managing litigation for 11 of its then-22 hospitals, including the Riley Hospital for Children. I had the privilege of doing civil rights law with the ACLU of Indiana as a capstone on active practice. During the last five years of my lawyering life, I was also teaching as an adjunct at the IU McKinney School of Law and at Butler University in the business school. I joined the Kelley faculty full-time in 2015.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

I love being in the classroom, including our Kelley Direct virtual classrooms. The interaction I have with students is energizing and challenging. I am always pushed to articulate my own knowledge and understanding from multiple perspectives (thinking like a lawyer!) and I learn from my students, as well.

What can students expect from your Kelley Direct courses?

I’m implementing some revisions to my courses this semester, trying to connect students with both the foundational knowledge they need on our topics as well as more opportunities to consider “real world” examples—so they can see the law in action.

What are some of the things that set Kelley apart?

Kelley Direct has excellent teachers—all full-time faculty who teach in Kelley’s in-residence programs—involved in every aspect of the program. I am incredibly grateful to count myself among such talented colleagues.

What do you tell your students on how best to manage their time to be successful?

I don’t, other than to say that I trust my students to prioritize what is important. I only ask that they communicate with me so that I can work with them when they have a challenging work project or deadline or, obviously, a family matter that requires their focus. I worked full-time through three degrees. I get it.

How do you keep students engaged in an online classroom?

I hope I do this by bringing a lot of energy to class, welcoming their questions, and working through multiple examples.

What do you tell your students if/when they ask about accelerating their career?

As a lawyer, I may not be the best source of business career advice. But I do know that the Kelley Direct program accelerates career advancement and opens new pathways. I have seen it over and over in my students’ experiences.

What is something people may not understand about online learning?

With the Kelley Direct program, you are still going to interact with professors, meet many of them in person, develop friendships with your classmates, and spend time with them. It is not a “remote” experience. There are many points of engagement within each class and each year of the program.

What is something most people don’t know about you?

I try to read 52 books a year—about two-thirds fiction.

Your book recommendation for MBAs?

I recommend Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson to everyone and use it as a text in my undergraduate climate law class. It’s a novel, but it also teaches us about climate change and the journey ahead of us, ending with a note of optimism.

New enrollment milestone for women MBAs reached

Posted on by Kelley School

Kelley Direct is thrilled to announce its Spring 2024 cohort is 40% women—an all-time high for the program. These 93 history-making women MBA students are joining a legacy of excellence in an exciting era for Kelley Direct. Their MBA journey begins just in time for our 25th anniversary and our most recent 2024 U.S. News & World Report #1 online MBA ranking.

Empowering women in business through MBA education

Women have long been underrepresented in MBA programs. According to Forté, only 41% of Forté MBA graduates are women, compared to 50% in law and medical school. Abigail Gschwend, associate director of enrollment management for Kelley Direct says this lack of gender parity in the MBA classroom directly leads to the underrepresentation of women in the boardroom and in the C-suite. Only 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women and only 32% of S&P 500 board members are women, according to Forté. However, this pipeline of women leaders is on the rise through the efforts of the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program. We are actively recruiting, retaining, and graduating MBA women. Over the past five years, the enrollment of women students in Kelley Direct has increased by more than 10%.

Percentage of women in Kelley Direct Spring incoming classes:

  • Previous classes have averaged 28% women
  • Spring 2024 class: 40%

The Spring 2024 class of future women business leaders by the numbers

With an average age of 33 and nearly nine years of professional work experience, the women in Kelley Direct’s incoming class bring with them a wealth of experience and add to our tradition of excellence. They have an average GPA of 3.4 and an average incoming salary of $116,000. They represent seven different countries of citizenship and a diverse array of industries and companies. This is where our motto, “Learn from the best with the best,” really comes to life. Kelley Direct incoming women are leaders at the following companies:

  • Anheuser Busch
  • Bank of America
  • Boston Consulting Group
  • DELL Technologies
  • Eli Lilly
  • General Motors
  • Google
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Kraft Heinz
  • Levi Strauss
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Rolls-Royce
  • Salesforce
  • Unilever
  • US Federal Government
  • The Walt Disney Company
  • Yahoo
  • Zillow Group

Forté partnership to support women in business leadership

Kelley Direct is a proud Forté partner. In collaboration with Forté, Kelley Direct awarded more than 60 Forté Fellowship awards to our Spring 2024 class, which makes 74% of our Spring 2024 women Forté Fellows. These students receive a merit-based scholarship from Kelley Direct in addition to the opportunity to join Forté at no cost, access exclusive networking opportunities, join an exclusive resume book, go to summer meetups, and attend Forté’s annual MBA Women’s Leadership Conference.

Fostering community and belonging

Last year, Kelley Direct sponsored nine incoming women to attend the Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference in Dallas, and Kelley was in the top five schools with the most attendees at the conference in 2023.

We love working with our Forte Ambassador team to plan virtual women’s networking nights, in-person meet-ups at Kelley On Campus, and other community-building events. Our Women in Business Association also works to bring women together in the online environment and provide professional development opportunities to Kelley Direct women.

Are you interested in learning more about joining this group of women in business leadership roles?

The Kelley Direct Online MBA Program provides a variety of support programs to women who are interested in pursuing an MBA. Start by learning more about what sets Kelley Direct apart from other MBA options on the market. See what it takes to prepare a strong application. Finally, explore the opportunities and resources available to women MBA students.

Why a women’s business network is key for aspiring women leaders in business

Posted on by Kelley School

In this article

  • Learn about the value of a women’s business network when considering an MBA program.
  • Find out how the top-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA empowers female students to accelerate their careers with the support to help them navigate challenges and find lasting success.
  • See how programs like Women in Business, a Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association, provide professional development and a sense of community.

Navigating a career isn’t easy, and women in business often face unique challenges. At Kelley Direct, we aim to make prospective female students’ life choices less daunting with our commitment to fostering women leaders in business, complete with the support and resources to help navigate challenges and find lasting success through our women’s business network. Women in Business, a Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association (KDSLA), exists to enhance Kelley Direct students’ careers through community, mentorship, and professional development. The group ensures that women have a collective voice and influence in the business landscape.

One of the organization’s goals is to provide tools and workshops to enhance skills and professional capacity while laying a foundation for a powerful network of female business leaders. Women in Business brings people together to share experiences, insights, and strategies aimed at developing leadership skills. From mentorship programs and leadership workshops to exclusive access to industry leaders sharing their journeys, the association understands that women in business need more than just theoretical knowledge—they need guidance and real-world insights to navigate the complexities of today’s business environment.

For Prianka Raha, vice president of networking and events for Women in Business from June 2022 to May 2023, the practical career advice for women she has received through the organization has proved invaluable.

“We bring in top women leaders in business to tackle relevant topics like negotiation, for example,” Raha said. “We’re discussing how to handle tough conversations, ensure we demonstrate our true value, and earn what we deserve. To have leading experts across the table answering questions that will ultimately help you maximize your potential as a female leader is such a benefit.”

Women in Business also serves as a supportive environment where women feel empowered to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. This sense of community is an essential complement to the classroom experience.

“We understand what it takes to run a family, be a full-time employee, and also be an MBA student,” Raha said. “We are there to understand what members are going through and share ways to overcome it. We’ve created a space where no one is judged, but rather they receive actionable insights that they can implement to solve whatever situation they’re facing. To have that kind of bond with each other is so important.”

We’re discussing how to handle tough conversations, ensure we demonstrate our true value, and earn what we deserve. To have leading experts across the table answering questions that will ultimately help you maximize your potential as a female leader is such a benefit.”

-Prianka Raha, Kelley Direct student and vice president of networking and events for the Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association Women in Business

While the group tailors its goals toward enhancing women’s careers through community mentorship and professional development, this women’s business network goes beyond professional networking. For Jeni Meiri, president of Women in Business, it’s also about hope and empowerment.

“To me, the association represents a collective force where ambitious women come together, not just to grow individually, but to uplift each other in a world that often presents unique challenges to women in business. Here, I see dreams nurtured, confidence built, and leadership skills honed. Every meeting, every event, every interaction is a testament to the incredible power of women supporting women.”

Every meeting, every event, every interaction is a testament to the incredible power of women supporting women.”

-Jeni Meiri, Kelley Direct student president for the Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association Women in Business

Student organizations like Women in Business make it possible for Kelley Direct Online MBA women students to build a thriving, supportive network in a new industry or expand their professional networks in their current industry. When researching professional organizations for women that MBA programs offer, ask about whether they include:

  • Mentorship
  • Professional development
  • Networking events
  • Informal social gatherings
  • Connections with alumni

Also, consider the size of the program and its alumni network. In 2024, Kelley Direct is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, and as the original online MBA program from a top-tier school, it remains unique because of its ability to blend online and in-person immersive experiences that strengthen students’ connections. The program’s current enrollment of 1,400 includes professionals from every field, with students coming from 40 states and 12 countries.

Learn more about Women in Business, a Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association

Corporate innovation–what is it and how to develop skills in this area

Posted on by Kelley School

In this article

  • Learn about the value of an entrepreneurial mindset and growing your business innovation skills at any stage of your career.
  • Find out how the top-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA gives students the opportunity to learn various aspects of business innovation, including design thinking, creative problem-solving, technology integration, market analysis, and implementing change management strategies.
  • See how you can put business innovation skills into action at the Kelley Direct Silicon Valley Venture Challenge, an elite elective course that challenges students to develop a venture plan to present to a board of professional experts in the field of entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley.

Whether your background and interest are in startups and entrepreneurial ventures or large, well-established organizations, developing skills in business innovation and entrepreneurship is important for driving growth and staying competitive and adaptable.

Relevance in today’s business landscape: Embracing innovation and entrepreneurship not only enhances personal career prospects, but it also pushes businesses to evolve, innovate, and remain agile in dynamic market landscapes, ensuring long-term sustainability and relevance in an ever-changing business environment.

Problem-solving skills: Innovation involves identifying problems or areas for improvement and devising creative solutions. Good problem solving is valuable across industries and positions.

Entrepreneurial mindset: Conceptualizing, refining, and implementing innovative business ideas is often the cornerstone of successful startups. For aspiring entrepreneurs who are interested in new product innovation and business strategy innovation, developing and honing these skills is critical.

Adaptability and resilience: Businesses face unforeseen challenges regularly. Learning about innovation fosters an adaptable mindset, empowering professionals to pivot strategies, products, or services in response to changing market conditions.

Leadership and change management: Innovation often involves initiating and managing change within an organization. Training focused on innovation provides insights into leading teams through change, a skill vital for managerial roles.

Market differentiation: Companies that consistently innovate stand out in the market. Understanding innovation allows professionals to contribute to making their organization distinct and attractive to consumers.

The Kelley Direct Online MBA: The model program for entrepreneurship and corporate innovation

The top-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA gives students the opportunity to learn various aspects of business innovation, including design thinking, creative problem-solving, technology integration, market analysis, and implementing change management strategies.

Kelley’s entrepreneurship and corporate innovation curriculum is designed to equip students with the business innovation skills needed to achieve at the highest levels throughout their careers—and to one day start a business, if that’s a personal goal.

The Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Education at the Kelley School of Business is top-ranked for entrepreneurship education. In 2023, it was honored with the Model Entrepreneurship Program Award from the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), which recognizes the institution with the most comprehensive, high-quality educational program that successfully trains future generations of entrepreneurs.

Regan Stevenson, assistant professor of entrepreneurship

“The great thing about our MBA program is that it combines theory and practice,” says Regan Stevenson, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and the John and Donna Shoemaker Faculty Fellowship in Entrepreneurship at the Kelley School of Business. “On the theoretical side, we’ve got our best faculty members teaching in our online MBA program as well as in our in-residence program, so you’re getting the best of the best, world-class researchers who are delivering the content. On the practical side, we’ve got all kinds of hands-on programs that allow students to get experiential education as part of their MBA program.”

Business innovation in action: The Kelley Direct Silicon Valley Venture Challenge

Kelley Direct empowers students to explore corporate innovation and entrepreneurship through elective courses and in-person experiences designed by full-time faculty.

A unique example is the Silicon Valley Venture Challenge (N560), an elite elective course that challenges students to develop a venture plan that will be presented to and evaluated by a board of professional experts in the field of entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley. Throughout the course, students work online and consult with small businesses to develop a venture plan that they present to the board as an experiential component of their classroom education.

After creating the venture plan, students travel to Silicon Valley, present the plan to a 20-member advisory board of professional experts in entrepreneurship, and receive innovation coaching through the board’s feedback.

The Silicon Valley Venture Challenge is taught and designed by Donald F. Kuratko, Jack M. Gill Chair of Entrepreneurship at Kelley and a national leader in the field of entrepreneurship and corporate innovation. His students admiringly call him “Dr. K.”

Donald F. Kuratko, Jack M. Gill Chair of Entrepreneurship at Kelley

Kuratko, who leads the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, says the course is nicknamed the “Ultimate Spine Sweat Experience” for a reason—because of the rigor of crafting a successful venture plan and the intensity of the in-person pitch experience.

“You leave the academic environment, go into the practical world, take the book knowledge you’ve learned, and apply it for real, because the advisory board decides your grade,” Kuratko said. “Afterwards, you learn who they are and why they’re really there—to help you. While there is the challenge of presenting, when it’s over, you get to meet all of them, discuss things with them, and build up a network of some very, very powerful people.”

Benton Miller, Kelley Direct graduate

Kelley Direct graduate Benton Miller and his team had the opportunity to present at Plug and Play, a world-renowned accelerator for startups that has invested in innovative new products and companies such as PayPal, Dropbox, and Honey. Miller said that by the end of the course, he realized that the challenge and the opportunity to dive into innovation in Silicon Valley could be a life-altering experience for students who are pursuing entrepreneurship.

After giving their pitch to the advisory board, students receive critical feedback about their ideas and presentation. They also learn if they received a passing grade. The pitch is followed by a night of networking opportunities: There’s a happy hour with the venture capitalists, then a celebratory dinner with fellow Kelley Direct students and some of the advisory board members.

We all get to go out to Silicon Valley at the end of the course, and you really start to dig deep and understand that this could be a life-altering, life-changing moment for you as a founder.” – Benton Miller, Kelley Direct graduate

“It’s a completely different experience from any of the other classes I’ve ever taken,” Miller said. “Not only are you going to create a life-changing moment for yourself, for your company, and for your career, but you’re also able to have that congratulatory moment, too, where all the pressure relaxes for a moment.”

The Silicon Valley Venture Challenge is what you make it, Miller noted. Kuratko fosters business ideas and opens up his own network to allow students to create real businesses, then students get to take the initiative to create deeper relationships with the venture capitalists.

“I got the feedback from the venture capitalists, and I’m now meeting with about three of them over the next few months to continue pursuing what this idea could look like,” Miller said.

The course also gives students an opportunity to apply the knowledge they’ve gained in the Kelley Direct Online MBA program. Kelley Direct graduate Lakshmi Menon completed the Silicon Valley Venture Challenge at the end of her time in the program and said that it brought together concepts she learned throughout her MBA.

“I’ve been implementing it in bits and pieces in my day-to-day work,” Menon said. “This course also gave me the opportunity to present my idea—my dream—to the venture capitalists and feel the validation that this is real. This is the real application of all the courses. This was proof that what you learn during the MBA is not just concepts here and there—it has true value.”

The Kelley Direct experience delivers value for students because they gain real-world experience with business strategy innovation and apply the knowledge they learn to their actual work settings, Kuratko said.

“You’re seeing a direct application of your knowledge from the Kelley Direct Online MBA right to your careers now and in future things that you’re going to develop in your career,” Kuratko said.

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