Merage Student Association Rankings Discussion Gary Lindblad, Asst. Dean and Director, Full -time MBA Tony Hansford, Executive Director, FEMBA Debbie Moysychyn, Executive Director, EMBA /HCEMBA

Agenda Rankings overview Full –time MBA Rankings – driver of reputation –Review of national rankings –Merage strategy How students and alumni influence rankings Discussion

The importance of… –Quality and reputation of the University and Merage School –Our four MBA Programs –Our students and alumni from all programs –Rankings (perception and reality) We’re all stakeholders: students, alumni faculty, staff, corporate community… Rankings Overview

Full-time MBA Rankings Business Week: started “it” all in 1988; published every other year; based on student satisfaction, recruiter assessment and “intellectual capital” U.S. News & World: annual ranking based on quality of program (assessed by peers and recruiters), quality of students (GMAT, GPA), and placement success (% employed, starting salary) Wall Street Journal: annual ranking based on quality of program and of students as assessed by recruiters Financial Times: annual ranking based on career progression, placement success, diversity, and research

Full-time MBA Rankings Business Week- recently modified its ranking to Top 30, “U.S. Second Tier Programs” (8), and “U.S. Programs Also Considered for Ranking” (30). US News- (March/ April) #53 in 2007, #38 in 2006, #49 in 2005, #47 in 2004 Wall Street Journal- We were most recently ranked #42. They quit doing their ranking this year. Financial Times- (January) #31 in US, #49 globally

MBA Program Model Great StudentsGreat EducationGreat Jobs

The Merage MBA Value Proposition: On the move from good to great. Distinctive- Unique, small, high quality program with thematic approach: Strategic Innovation, Information Technology, Analytical Decision Making Quality- through continuous quality improvement in each phase of our program Reputation- Being known for our themes, our experiential learning, and our innovative, career-ready students

MBA Program Model Great Students -Distinctive -Quality -Reputation Great Education -Distinctive -Quality -Reputation Great Jobs -Distinctive -Quality -Reputation

Great Students -what do we mean? Academic background Work experience Personal and professional strengths Leadership experience and aspirations Goals and career plan Passion, drive, and focus Fit with the Merage School

Great Education Faculty quality Courses and curriculum Co-curricular experiences Greater UCI learning community- not a commuter experience In-touch and responsive MBA Program Services and administration

Great Education - What are we doing to drive continuous improvement in this area? Curriculum Innovation Committee Themes guiding curricular innovation “Edge” course as an example Experiential learning opportunities Centers of Excellence

Great Jobs Last year 92% employed by 90 days after graduation, 81% at graduation $alaries were up Improving career training and opportunities every year This year…

Great Jobs Alignment of Great Students, Great Education, Great Jobs means: –you know yourself and understand your options –you decide on your focus –you’re prepared to compete for jobs in your chosen focus –you’re educated to bring sustainable value (growth) to your employer or business

MBA Program Model Great StudentsGreat EducationGreat Jobs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Alignment>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What can students do to help? Participate in Merage as a student and alum Viral Marketing –communicate effectively with the external community about Merage –Refer your friends and colleagues to Merage MBA programs Communicate with faculty and staff: what’s working well? areas that can be improved? Offer new ideas. Hire Merage MBA students and alumni Complete rankings surveys We’re all stakeholders - Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Corporate Community…

Questions?