Santa Clara University's Executive MBA Program Shatters the “Glass Ceiling”
Women Represent Nearly 50% of the 2023 Class
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (September 1, 2021)
Santa Clara University's Executive MBA program (EMBA) is smashing Silicon Valley’s rumored glass ceiling, reporting that 48% of the Class of 2023 are women.
A total of 23 students were matriculated into the Leavey School of Business’ premier program and the nearly 50% female enrollment far exceeds the global female MBA enrollment trend of 32% in 2020, the last year for which statistics are available.
“That Santa Clara is leading the charge to prepare more women for high-powered executive roles should come as no surprise,” declares Executive MBA Program Director, Dr. Kumar Sarangee. Santa Clara, throughout its 170-year history, has always actively elevated underserved communities of all types. It’s in our DNA and we thrive on diversity.”
This year’s EMBA program, ranked 13th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, continues to build on its reputation as Silicon Valley’s executive leadership prep school. Nearly 52% of this year’s cohort carry titles of Director and above.
This fall’s class also stands out for its maturity and experience. The average age is 42, significantly more mature than the national average of age 38, with an average 17-years of work experience, higher than the nation’s average of 13 years. More than a quarter of the class already hold graduate degrees.
“Because of our excellent curriculum, seasoned faculty and overall program experience, we have always attracted stellar students. The incoming cohort is proof of that, explained Dr. Nydia MacGregor, Interim Dean of Graduate Programs, Leavey School of Business.
Dr. Toby McChesney, Santa Clara University’s Vice Provost for Graduate programs added, “The EMBA program is just a part of what makes Santa Clara a magnet for entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, engineers, lawyers, educators, theologians and scholars who want to grow and become the interdisciplinary leaders of tomorrow. Across all of our colleges, our students come from diverse industries and interests ."
The 20-month program, which meets twice a month on Friday and Saturdays, provides the flexibility required by today’s executive candidates. Above-and-beyond a required core curriculum that has been designed according to current needs & trends in Silicon Valley, students personalize their education through a number of innovative electives.
"I am excited to be starting the EMBA program at Santa Clara University,” said Anne Moser, Senior VP at Guckenheimer, and incoming EMBA student. “One of the reasons I picked Santa Clara University is the experiential learning with a cohort. Another reason is that I’m able to work on projects as it applies to my current position so the learning can be applied immediately. I love how ingrained SCU is in the Silicon Valley. They focus on growing executives in all sizes of business and keep an eye on the entrepreneurial spirit that is key in this area."
The program also goes beyond the traditional “lecture and learn” format to feature a number of experiential elements that fulfill the needs of both the student and the business community. Hands-on learning covers participation in professional communications and leadership exercises, along with change management and mindfulness simulations and executive-led innovation workshops.
About Santa Clara University
Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University sits in the heart of Silicon Valley—the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial region. The University’s stunningly landscaped 106-acre campus is home to the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís. SCU has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is rated by PayScale in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates. SCU has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high-tech innovation with social consciousness grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. For more information see www.scu.edu.
About Leavey School of Business
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, one of the most dynamic business environments in the world, the Leavey School of Business combines academic excellence in the 450-year Jesuit tradition, with an energetic, innovative spirit that typifies the region. Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business offers one of the nation's best graduate business programs ranked No. 13 Executive MBA by U.S. News & World Report, No. 20 ranked Evening MBA by U.S. News & World Report, and No. 40 ranked Online MBA by U.S. News & World Report. Our Undergraduate Business programs rank in the Top 15% and No. 23 nationwide in best undergraduate teaching according to U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit www.scu.edu/business.