In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Allison Elias. Elias teaches courses about communication and negotiation in Darden’s MBA and Executive MBA programs, and we recently connected with her to discuss her journey to Darden, her elective – Women, Gender and Work – as well as her 2022 book, The Rise of Corporate Feminism. Elias was a nominee for the 2022 Outstanding Faculty Award at Darden, and her elective, Women, Gender, and Work, was rated among the top 10% of all Darden electives (according to student ratings regarding course content and instructor quality).

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Peter Hamilton. Peter is a JD/MBA student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and he is also a founder. We recently connected with Peter to talk about his MBA journey as well as his current venture, ema.ai, an AI-powered personal assistant company that focuses on applying conversational AI to consumer products.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Anton Dominic Dela Cruz. Anton is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA program, and he is also the President of Pride at Darden student organization. We talk with Anton about his decision to pursue an MBA, what he enjoys about learning through the case method, Pride at Darden’s plans for the months ahead and more. Pride at Darden (PAD) is a student club that is dedicated to promoting an inclusive, open and welcoming environment for LGBTQ students, educating and improving awareness of LGBTQ issues within Darden and the surrounding Charlottesville area, and facilitating networking with other LGBTQ communities, other business schools and with diversity-friendly employers.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Chidiadi “Rising” Onyeukwu and Beza Bisrat. Rising and Beza are second year students in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and they are members of the Black Business Student Association (BBSA) leadership team – Rising serves as the President and Beza is the VP Careers and Academics. We talk with Rising and Beza about their respective MBA journeys, BBSA’s plans for the coming months, their advice for prospective students and more.

In this episode of the podcast, we continue our periodic spotlight on student founders at Darden in a conversation with Grace Collins and Ellie Jamison. Grace and Ellie are second year students in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and their venture, Play Henry, offers a fresh take on pickleball apparel and equipment – “from court to cocktail.” We talk with Grace and Ellie about their MBA journeys, what inspired their venture, their experience in the UVA’s summer iLab incubator, what’s next for Play Henry and more.  

In this special edition of Darden Admissions’ podcasts, we’re excited to share a recent conversation between Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Clarke and Interim Dean of the Darden School of Business Jeanne Liedtka. In this wide-ranging conversation, Liedtka reflects upon her tenure at the Darden School, what drew her to the field of Design Thinking, what she loves about Charlottesville, the impact of the Darden academic environment and more. This episode is essential listening.

In this episode we catch up with Victoria Velasquez. Victoria is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and she is also President of Darden’s Consulting Club. We talk with Victoria about her background, her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden as well as what drew her to leading the Consulting Club. She also shares the Consulting Club’s plans for the months ahead and how the club supports students with an interest in consulting.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Jim Zuffoletti. Jim is a Darden alum, graduating in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2005, and he recently returned to Darden to serve as Entrepreneurship Community Director for the Batten Institute as well as an instructor for the Venture Velocity course. We talk with Jim about his background, his passion for entrepreneurship, what the Venture Velocity course is all about, his advice for prospective students and more.  

The Round 1 deadline for Darden’s Full-Time MBA program is 4 October! In the spirit of the season, we catch up with Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Clarke to hear her tips and advice for Round 1 applicants.

This year’s Darden Diversity Conference will take place late October 2023, with the virtual event scheduled for 23 October and the in-person event planned for 28-29 October. In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with three first year students in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 who attended last year’s Diversity Conference – Matt Au, Brianna Huff and Luis Otero. We talk with Matt, Brianna and Luis about their respective MBA journeys, the role the Diversity Conference played in their MBA research processes as well as why they think prospective students should attend this event.