Doubling Graduate Enrollment

Fairfield Dolan Introduces New Graduate Analytics Programs, New Online and Hybrid Modalities, and Expands Reach in Shanghai

While the past year had its challenges with the ever-present impact of Covid-19 on daily life, Fairfield Dolan students, faculty, and staff thrived both in the classroom and online. This past year marked tremendous growth for the Dolan School. In fact, graduate enrollment more than doubled for spring 2021 enrollment compared to the previous year. This growth is a result of the introduction of new, innovative programs and global expansion in Shanghai.

Last year Fairfield Dolan launched two new programs with a focus on analytics: the dual MBA/MSBA (Master of Science in Business Analytics) Program and the Online Analytics MBA.

“This dual degree provides students with the well-rounded business curriculum of an MBA paired with a robust and more technical business analytics curriculum,” said Fairfield Dolan Dean Zhan Li, DBA. With the dual degree, students are prepared to stand out in the job market with both the technology-driven skills provided by the MSBA and the broader organizational and leadership skills stressed in the MBA.

Sensing a desire among professionals for an analyticsfocused MBA that can be completed in just one year, Fairfield

Dolan created the Online Analytics MBA. The program combines a rigorous grounding in the software tools used in analytics with core business courses. Projects emphasize hands-on experiences in data analysis, investment strategy, deep learning, consumer behavior, and more. Students learn fully online, get support from expert faculty, and have the opportunity to connect with employers in the process.

Assistant Dean of Dolan Graduate Programs Leanne De Los Santos, shared, “Our goal at Dolan is to offer recent graduates and working professionals opportunities to earn master’s degrees that meet the needs of employers while providing maximum flexibility to balance personal obligations. We have the benefit of expertise from our graduate program advisory boards to inform how we shape new program offerings.”

In addition to these new programs, students considering the traditional Dolan MBA degree can now customize their MBA program by reducing the number of courses they’re required to take so they can focus on their area of interest. Whether they want to focus on finance, marketing, management, analytics, economics, or accounting, students have more flexibility and can even pursue two concentration areas. Students can also select an online or hybrid modality.

ABOVE LEFT: Scott Brenner, CPA, professor of the practice of accounting, teaching in one of the Dolan lecture halls. ABOVE RIGHT: Mousumi Bose Godbole, PhD, associate professor of marketing and director of the Dolan MBA, talks branding with students. Photos by Joe Adams

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DOLAN DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION TASK FORCE

Founded last spring, the Fairfield Dolan Diversity and Inclusion Task Force was created to further advance the Dolan School’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and to support Fairfield University’s Jesuit mission.

“As a University, our mission emphasizes social justice, working towards a better world, and developing men and women for and with others,” said task force co-chair Valeria Martinez, PhD, associate professor of finance. “Further, employers are seeking and building a diverse and inclusive workforce to aid in their goal of attaining corporate social responsibility.”

“I’m happy to be part of this task force, which is itself diverse with representatives from faculty, staff, and students,” said task force co-chair Yasin Ozcelik, PhD, associate professor of business analytics.

The task force spent last semester understanding the current infrastructure and resources for diversity and inclusion, and is in the process of developing recommendations to advance in this area. l D