40 new graduates of the Executive MBA (EMBA) program in the College of Business at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno already are putting their freshly developed business and financial skills to work to build stronger businesses and nonprofits across the United States.
The 2024 graduates, who comprise the 12th and largest graduating class in the history of the EMBA program, were awarded their degrees during graduation ceremonies followed by a reception at Joe Crowley Student Union on Saturday, August 10.
They represent a geographically diverse cohort — nine states are represented in the graduating class — whose members bring an average of 13 years of work experience in fields ranging from medicine and mining to tourism and technology to their advanced studies.
“The 2024 Executive MBA graduating class presents the best of our students. It is an incredible cohort of students with significant professional and academic credentials,” said Kambiz Raffiee, EMBA director and associate dean of the College of Business. “They exemplify the top-notch quality and tradition of excellence the EMBA program has established. We are so proud of the 2024 EMBA graduating class and their accomplishments in the program.”
Graduates and their employers already are putting to work the knowledge delivered by the two-year, online EMBA program.
Jeremy Douglas, who earned his EMBA while working fulltime as vice president for behavioral health integration at Housing Works, a large non-profit healthcare and advocacy organization in New York City, especially appreciates the financial skill he developed through the program.
“It aided me in better understanding all sides of the world of business, especially as I think through more creative ways to gain financial backing to pilot innovative programs and services,” Douglas said. “I am able to think a bit more outside of the box.”
With already busy professional lives, the online EMBA program fit well for many of the new graduates, including Ashley Djukic, an executive with Interwell Health in Reno.
“As a mother of a 4-year-old and a newborn while working full-time, the EMBA's flexibility perfectly fits my busy life, allowing me to balance my responsibilities and achieve my educational and professional goals,” she said.
Djukic, who previously earned a master’s degree in social work from the University, said the EMBA burnished her skills as a well-rounded business professional prepared to move into operational and business management roles.
She’s one of five members of the 2024 class who had earned graduate degrees and certifications before beginning the EMBA program. Others had earned graduate degrees in journalism, economics, social work and medicine.
Three of the graduates, meanwhile, are military veterans.
ÁùºÏ±¦µä is home to 25 of the graduates, who live in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Las Vegas, Winnemucca and Verdi. Eight graduates live in California, while others live in New York, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
The graduates work for a wide range of employers. Among them are Renown and Kaiser Permanente in the health sector, SSR Mining and Granite Construction in mining and engineering, Caesar’s Entertainment and MGM Resorts International in tourism and gaming, Google and Apple in technology, and Ball Corp. and Cavist in manufacturing.
With the addition of this year’s graduating glass, the University EMBA program now has 355 alumni.
