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Kelley School of Business Indiana University Bloomington
Kelley Direct Online MBA

Unforgettable Kelley on Campus Experience

Posted on by Kelley School

By Tanvi Gupta, Kelley Forté Fellow & Solution Specialist at Deloitte

I just returned from an extraordinary experience, and to say that it was memorable would be an understatement. Over the weekend, Bloomington became the epicenter of innovation and learning as more than 200 students, driven by passion and ambition, gathered to partake in X503—the Kelley On Campus course at the breathtaking Indiana University in Bloomington. As I reflect on this remarkable introductory course, I am awestruck by the transformative power of my first MBA class and how it set the foundation for my remaining online courses.

The backdrop of this exceptional gathering was set for us by the Kelley Direct Program, the #1 online MBA. The program’s commitment to excellence was evident to me from the moment I set foot in Bloomington. The excitement in the air was palpable as I joined students from diverse backgrounds and corners of the world, and we converged to explore the vast realm of knowledge and connections that awaited us.

At the heart of the course lay the exhilarating case competition, which was not just a challenge but an opportunity to immerse ourselves in real-world problem-solving. We were tasked with devising the most creative solution to a predicament faced by Aeroseal, a company led by a Kelley alum. We met the gravity of the challenge with enthusiasm and tenacity; 60 teams collaborated, brainstormed, and innovated tirelessly to craft solutions that could shape the future of a real company. My team’s idea was to make Aeroseal a household name to increase market demand by targeting the end users. While another brilliant idea won the competition, making it to the finals allowed my team and me to present our idea to a bigger audience, evoking memories of the excitement that comes with being on a stage. We experienced firsthand the spirit of community and collaboration that the Kelley Direct Online Program stands for, truly embodied in the Kelley On Campus course.
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Meet the Kelley Direct fall cohort: Q&A with incoming student Zachary Ambrose

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A family-friendly MBA you can earn online: It’s one of the many reasons students choose the #1-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA. Meet Zachary Ambrose—a project management director and father of two—joining the program this fall because Kelley offers the right fit for him and his family:

Why are you pursuing an MBA?

“I recently landed a director role at Fidelity Investments, building software and leading large projects. I want to dive into strategy, but my educational background is outside of business. An online MBA will allow me to build a strong business foundation and explore what interests me most.”

Why did you choose Kelley Direct?

“My wife and I have two kids and an online MBA is the best option for me and my family. After researching many programs, I chose Kelley because it has the best return on investment.”

What are you looking forward to the most?

“I’m excited for in-person events like Kelley On Campus where I’ll have an opportunity to meet classmates and faculty and be a college student for the week.”

Did anything surprise you about the Kelley Direct admissions process?

“Admissions counselors were up front, easy to reach, and walked me through the process. It was a good surprise to find out how easy it was to apply.”

Interested in earning the Kelley Direct Online MBA? Start with the first part of our Kelley Direct Application. It’s free and takes only a few minutes to complete.

Meet the Kelley Direct fall cohort: Q&A with incoming student Maaz Ghouri

Posted on by Kelley School

Want to gain business knowledge you can use in any industry?  Many students earn the #1-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA to build business acumen they can apply in a wide variety of fields. In this fourth installment of our Q&A series with incoming students, Resident Physician Maaz Ghouri shares his plan to earn an MBA to launch his dream:

Why are you pursuing an MBA?

“I’m currently a second-year resident physician in family medicine at the University of Rochester. I want to open my own clinic or practice one day. With a background in science, now I want to round out my education with a strong business foundation.”

Why did you choose Kelley Direct?

“The Kelley Direct Online MBA is the best out there—and as a busy physician, the schedule works for me. The Kelley community is warm, welcoming, and full of connections.”

What are you looking forward to the most?

“I’m excited to learn from Kelley faculty. It’s an opportunity for me to meet people in different fields who possess a variety of skills.”

Did anything surprise you about the Kelley Direct admissions process?

“The thing that surprised me about the admissions process was how easy it was. The availability of information and resources was a key component to making it easy for me to complete.”

Interested in earning the Kelley Direct Online MBA? Start with the first part of our Kelley Direct Application. It’s free and takes only a few minutes to complete.

 

Meet the Kelley Direct fall cohort: Q&A with incoming student Brittany Goldman

Posted on by Kelley School

Women who want to become influential business leaders are joining the #1-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA program this fall. In the third installment of our Q&A series with incoming students, Brittany Goldman talks about her passion for women in business and the moments she’s looking forward to most in the program:

What aspect of business excites you?

“Innovation is something I’ve always been excited about. As a marketing director for NBC Universal, I work in ad sales, as well as with new revenue streams. I feel very passionate about my role as a woman in business.”

Why did you choose Kelley Direct?

“I chose Kelley Direct for the flexibility I’ll have to choose from a variety of course electives that will expand my skill set. Opportunities for networking and in-person experiences make Kelley Direct an amazing online program.”

What are you looking forward to the most?

“I’m looking forward to a global immersion trip with Kelley Direct and to apply what I learn in my current role with NBC Universal.”

Did anything surprise you about the Kelley Direct admissions process?

“My admissions counselor talked to me about the Forté Fellowship program. I applied and received the award. I’m excited to take advantage of the resources Forté provides.”

Interested in earning the Kelley Direct Online MBA? Start with the first part of our Kelley Direct Application. It’s free and takes only a few minutes to complete.

 

Meet the Kelley Direct fall cohort: Q&A with incoming student Matthew Dowling

Posted on by Kelley School

Students joining the #1-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA this fall come from a wide variety of backgrounds and fields. In this second installment of our Q&A series, incoming student and Deep Ocean Engineer Matthew Dowling shares why he chose Kelley, where he wants to go in his career, and a welcome surprise in the admissions process:

Why are you pursuing an MBA?

“As a deep ocean engineer, I support the US Navy’s only rescue submarine. Now I’m looking for an opportunity that will allow me to interact with professionals in the business world, and I’m interested to learn about the business side of the engineering industry. A Kelley Direct Online MBA is a step in a new direction for my career.”

Why did you choose Kelley Direct?

“I searched for the best online MBA and discovered Kelley. I talked about the decision with my family and friends, and I chose Kelley because its name, reputation, and the positive reviews Kelley receives mattered to me.”

What are you looking forward to the most?

“In-person events and an opportunity to network with a variety of people from different backgrounds are what I’m looking forward to the most.”

Did anything surprise you about the Kelley Direct admissions process?

“I was surprised by the number of scholarship opportunities available to students applying to the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program.”

Interested in earning the Kelley Direct Online MBA? Start with the first part of our Kelley Direct Application. It’s free and takes only a few minutes to complete.

 

Meet the Kelley Direct fall cohort: Q&A with incoming student Taylor Bruner

Posted on by Kelley School

Taylor Bruner, merchandising project manager for Home Depot and incoming Kelley Direct online MBA student.Want to meet some of the remarkable incoming students of the #1-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA? In this Q&A series, students share why they chose Kelley, how they navigated the admissions process, and the goals they’re most excited to achieve. Introducing Taylor Bruner— currently in the field of merchandising project management in Atlanta and excited to maximize her leadership potential:

Why is an MBA part of your project management career path?

“I’m currently a project manager in merchandising for Home Depot, a role I’ve had for three years. My undergraduate degree is in finance, and I want to advance as a business leader in my career.”

Why did you choose Kelley Direct?

“I was looking for a top school, and the education and opportunities at Kelley were comparable to those at Ivy League schools. After weighing the options, the Kelley Direct Online MBA stood out as a program that fits well in a working professional’s lifestyle. Where other schools have rigid schedules, Kelley offers flexibility for real life.”

What are you looking forward to the most?

“I’m looking forward to Kelley On Campus, and I can’t wait to take advantage of Kelley Direct’s global immersion courses. While an online format is best for me overall, having in-person experiences will allow me to invest time in building relationships with faculty and classmates.”

Did anything surprise you about the Kelley Direct admissions process?

“I thought that the process would take a significant amount of time, but instead I received prompt and personalized responses to my application.”

Interested in earning the Kelley Direct Online MBA? Start with the first part of our Kelley Direct Application. It’s free and takes only a few minutes to complete.

 

Q&A with Forté Ambassador Ana-Maria Visoiu-Knapp

Posted on by Kelley School

Forte ambassador Ana-Mria Visoiu-Knapp works with the women's leadership organization to help advance the careers of women in business.Kelley Direct is proud to partner with the Forté Foundation, a women’s leadership organization whose mission is to launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, professional development, and a community of successful women in business. Our partnership offers Kelley Direct students a free Professional Access Membership which gives unique access to scholarships, women’s networking opportunities, and actionable resources that enhance business education and careers. The shared goal at both Kelley and Forté leadership is to increase the number of women business leaders, thus making this partnership a powerful and competitive package offered to our graduate women in business school. Additionally, we have started offering Forté Fellowships as of our Spring 2023 cohort.

Forté Ambassador Ana-Maria Visoiu-Knapp recently shared more with us about this partnership. (more…)

Fostering LGBTQ+ Inclusivity at Kelley Direct

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Online MBA student Tyler Dean Muirhead shares his experience building an online learning community and fostering support for LGBTQ students.By Tyler Dean Muirhead, MBA’24

I completed my undergraduate studies at the Kelley School of Business in 2019. My undergraduate studies were untraditional, in that I worked throughout the weekday and would drive to campus for evening classes. Having an untraditional college experience hindered me from fully experiencing the benefit of student associations and events.

When I decided to pursue my online MBA in the fall of 2022, I saw an opportunity to foster an inclusive environment for remote learners. Similar to my undergraduate experience, it felt difficult to connect with classmates on a meaningful level. I was then introduced to the Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association (KDSLA) whose mission is for “your classmates to become your community, your friends… to connect, learn and have fun with your Kelley Direct peers.” The KDSLA has many wonderful sub-associations that create a sense of community for Kelley Direct students who are spread across the globe; however, there was not an organization focusing on the LGTBQ+ community and its allies. (more…)

Kelley Direct Online MBA student Gary Tong on using an MBA to change careers

Posted on by Kelley School

By Mary Thomason-Smith

Gary Tong headshot: this Kelley Direct graduate shares his insight on using an MBA to change careers.Gary Tong, MBA’24, spent his early career in engineering and manufacturing but wanted to earn an MBA. A first-generation college graduate, Gary kept his MBA ambitions on hold to support his family and build a career at Boeing—until he discovered the #1-ranked Kelley Direct Online MBA program. Now Gary works in consulting and shares his tips for using an MBA to change careers:

Career coaching for MBA students

“I chose the Kelley Direct Online MBA for the highly personalized Kelley Direct Career Advancement & Performance Coaching that I couldn’t get anywhere else. With the one-on-one support of a certified career coach, I researched the fields that interested me, narrowed my career interests, and pivoted my career focus from engineering to consulting. They worked with me on interview prep and helped me understand a new industry. My confidence increased. Ultimately, partnering with a career coach helped me land an offer from a global consulting firm. Now I serve as a senior vice president for AlixPartners at the same time I’m finishing my Kelley Direct Online MBA.” (more…)

Meet our Spring Cohort Kelley Direct students—Q&A with Kara Plotz

Posted on by Kelley School

Kelley Direct students begin their online MBA for various reasons; they want to advance in their careers, switch careers, or want more knowledge and fulfillment. Kara Plotz, a Senior Manager of Operations at National Veterinary Associates, shares her why for joining the Spring Cohort.

What are your career highlights? “I have moved from a practicing veterinarian to the business management side, now overseeing 240 veterinary hospitals. I’m very proud to have made this big leap in my career and for the future opportunities that await with a Kelley online MBA.”

Why did you choose Kelley Direct? “When choosing a program, the reputation of the school was very important to me. When I asked friends and colleagues about the programs I was considering, Kelley always rose to the top as a high-quality program. It was great knowing that Kelley had such a positive impact on others that has lasted their whole careers.”

What are you looking forward to most? “I’m most excited to meet my peers. Of course, I’ll learn from the faculty and coursework, but the breadth of my fellow classmates and their experiences is tremendously valuable.”

Ready to begin your MBA Journey?

We have a two-phased application process. Phase 1 is free and takes 5 minutes to complete. We encourage you to start it now—and take the first step in creating the future you want.

 

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