Experience Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Rich Diemer. Rich is Managing Director for CAV Angels, a non-profit network composed of UVA alumni, faculty, parents, students, and friends of the University whose purpose is to elevate the entrepreneurial ecosystem for UVA alumni by educating, connecting, funding, and mentoring the extended UVA startup community. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk with Rich about his background as a senior finance executive, how he got involved with CAV Angels, the entrepreneurial and business environment in Charlottesville, his advice for students who are interested in entrepreneurship and more. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the Discover Darden Admissions blog and follow us on Instagram @dardenmba. 

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Izzie Mirghani. Izzie is a recent graduate in UVA’s MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) Class of 2026, and we caught up with him to talk about what attracted him to the MSBA program, how the MSBA curriculum helped him sharpen his communication skills, how AI is integrated into the program, how his career goals evolved over the course of the program and more.  For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the Discover Darden Admissions blog and follow us on Instagram @dardenmba. 

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Obi Ozeife. Obi is a student in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2027, and he is also a leader of Darden’s Healthcare Club. We talk with Obi about what led him to Darden, what interests him about healthcare, what the Healthcare Club has planned in the months ahead, the life sciences and biotech scene in Charlottesville, and more. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the Discover Darden Admissions blog and follow us on Instagram @dardenmba. 

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we catch up with two Darden faculty members, Professors Rob Phillips and Manel Baucells. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk with Rob and Manel about Darden’s PhD program. They discuss the structure and philosophy of the program, what makes Darden’s program distinctive, how someone might know if pursuing a PhD may be right for them and more. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the Discover Darden Admissions blog and follow us on Instagram @dardenmba. 

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Justin Powers. Justin is a student in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2027, and we chat with him about his science background, his decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden, what he enjoys about the case method, his interest in venture capital and biotech and more. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the Discover Darden Admissions blog and follow us on Instagram @dardenmba. 

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we share a recent installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Dr. Tracey Hoke. Dr. Hoke is trained as a Pediatrician and Pediatric Cardiologist, and she is the inaugural health Chair, Innovation in Healthcare Operations at UVA Health. We talk with Dr. Hoke about her medical career, what led her to Darden, the courses she teaches – Challenges in Healthcare and Solutions in Healthcare – her advice for prospective MBA students considering a career in healthcare, what makes Charlottesville an attractive destination for biotech and life sciences firms, and more. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the Discover Darden Admissions blog and follow us on Instagram @dardenmba. 

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Gaby Siem. Gaby is a student in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2027, and she is also the President of Darden’s Graduate Women in Business club. We talk with Gaby about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, how she’s spending her summer, her plans for GWIB in the year ahead and more. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the Discover Darden Admissions blog and follow us on Instagram @dardenmba. 

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Willie Green. Willie is the new Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions at the Darden School of Business, and we talk with him about his background, what he enjoys about admissions, what attracted him to the role, and his advice for prospective students. Willie also shares insights and tips about the recently launched Full-Time MBA application. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the Discover Darden Admissions blog and follow us on Instagram @dardenmba. 

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Akshada Shrotri. Akshada is a student in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2027, and she is also VP of Admissions for Darden’s Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) club and the VP of Marketing for the Darden South Asia Society (DSAS). We talk with Akshada about her background, what brought her to Darden, the role second year students play in supporting first year students at Darden, what motivated her to serve as a student leader and more. For more insights, tips, and stories about the Darden experience, be sure to check out the Discover Darden Admissions blog and follow us on Instagram @dardenmba.