Experience Darden

Darden has re-launched its PhD program, and, in honor of the occasion, we are sharing interviews with Darden PhD program alums on the podcast. In this episode, we catch up with Kirsten Martin (MBA ’99, PhD ’06). Martin is the William P. and Hazel B. White Center Professor of Technology Ethics and a professor of IT, analytics, and operations in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. A nationally recognized expert in privacy, technology, and business ethics, she is the director of the Notre Dame Technology Ethics Center (ND TEC). In this wide-ranging conversation, Martin reflects on her experience as a Darden PhD student, her interest in technology ethics, her current research and more.

This weekend marks the occasion of the annual Darden Diversity Conference! During this in-person event in Charlottesville, prospective students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of programming – from a mock case discussion to alumni and student panels and beyond. The Darden Diversity Conference is an opportunity for prospective students interested in the Darden Full-Time MBA program to experience how the School embraces diversity and inclusion. A few weeks ago, we invited Diversity Conference Co-Chairs Fanny Mei (Class of 2023) and Pooja Vittal (Class of 2023) on the podcast to discuss their MBA journeys and plans for this year’s conference.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Megan Scott. Megan is a second year student in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2023, and she is also the President of the Black Business Student Association (BBSA). We talk with Megan about her background, what led her to Darden, how she spent her first year summer, plans for BBSA in the year ahead and more.

In this special episode of the Darden Admissions podcast, we’re excited to share a recent installment from our ongoing Women@Darden event series featuring Carolyn Miles (MBA ’88). Miles is an Executive Fellow and Professor of Practice, and she is also the former Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children, an organization that gives children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. In this conversation, Miles shares reflections on her MBA journey, the impact of her Darden experience, the work she and other are doing as part of Darden’s Women 2.0 initiative, highlights from UVA Darden’s inaugural women’s summit and more.

It’s conference season at UVA Darden! In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Catherine Kirchner and Elizabeth Saltonstall. Catherine and Elizabeth are second year students in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2023, and they both serve as VP of Conference for Darden’s Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) club. We talk with Catherine and Elizabeth about their decisions to pursue an MBA, what led them to Darden, how they spent the summer, their plans for this year’s GWIB conference and more.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Lizzy Belair. Lizzy is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2023, and she is the President of the Net Impact club at Darden. We talk with Lizzy about her background, her decision to pursue an MBA, as well as her passion for real estate, sustainability and user-focused design. Lizzy also shares insights about Net Impact and plans for the year ahead. Darden’s Net Impact chapter is part of a global network of more than 300 Net Impact chapters on six continents and thousands of student and professional members.

In this episode of the podcast, we spotlight the MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) program with a conversation with James G. “Trey” Maxham III. Maxham is the William Stamps Farish Entrepreneurial Eminent Research professor at UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce and he also serves as one of the Academic Directors for the MSBA program. In this wide-ranging conversation, Maxham reflects upon how the MSBA program has evolved since its launch in 2017, sharing insights about the inspiration for the program, how the program’s integrated design leverages faculty and expertise from both Darden and McIntire, his experience teaching in the program and more. This episode is essential listening for anyone considering the MSBA Program.

In this episode, we catch up with Darden Admissions Committee members Whitney Kestner and Catie Yeilding to talk about a subject near and dear to our hearts: Events! Whitney and Catie share insights about the role events play in the business school research process, how event preparation is kind of like getting ready for a case discussion, the importance of intentional engagement and more. This episode is essential listening for Darden applicants.

Please join our Admissions team for these special micro-podcast episodes giving you a step by step guide to the application process. There are two ways to listen to the playlist... here, on Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EtyMkjZzi9ErgSjrTxKEl?si=1bffd345fee549ad

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Huan Zheng. Huan is a recent graduate in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2022, and she completed the MBA/M.Ed dual degree program during her time in Charlottesville. In this wide-ranging conversation, Huan reflects upon her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, as well as what attracted her to the MBA/M.Ed dual degree program. She also talks about moving to the U.S. from China, the importance of networking, her growing interest in venture capital and much more. Editor’s Note: This conversation was recorded towards the end of Huan’s second year at Darden.