Calling all members of the full plate club. In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two of Darden’s dual degree students, Geoff Hansen (MBA/MSDS, Class of 2022) and Lyndsay Burke (MBA/M.Ed, Class of 2022), as well as Merav Frazier, Senior Associate Director, Global Recruitment. In this wide-ranging conversation, Geoff and Lyndsay share reflections on their decision to pursue a dual degree as well as insights about their coursework and class schedules. Merav also offers tips for prospective students considering one of Darden’s dual degrees.

In this special edition of the Admissions podcast, we welcome back Darden faculty member and friend of the pod Greg Fairchild. In this wide-ranging conversation, Fairchild shares insights about one of Darden’s newest scholarship initiatives – the Breakthrough Scholars Program – a scholarship offering focused on creating new opportunities for diverse candidates to thrive in fields of asset management. Fairchild also talks about his new role as CEO and Dean for UVA’s Northern Virginia initiatives as well as a number of Darden-related DC area projects – including the DC Dean’s Fellows, his latest Executive MBA elective and more.

Curious about asset management? In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Rodney Sullivan, Executive Director of the Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management. We chat with Rodney about what led him to Darden, and the incredible resources and opportunities for Darden students interested in asset management – from courses – like Darden Capital Management, to summer internship support, to conferences – like the University of Virginia Investing Conference, to alumni relationships and more. Essential listening.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Kate Bishop (Class of 2022). Prior to Darden, Kate served in the United States Marine Corps, and we chat with her about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, how the Darden Military Association (DMA) supported her during her First Year, what she is looking forward to in her second year and more. Kate also shares insights about Building Goodness in April, Darden’s a student-run organization dedicated to keeping marginalized homeowners living in warmth, dignity and decency and to improving the facilities of local community groups.

In this special episode of the podcast, members of Darden’s Admissions Committee’s and longtime friends of the podcast, Whitney Kestner, Catie Yeilding and Christian West, share tips for researching your target MBA programs. They offer insights and strategies for leveraging virtual events, social media, current students, alumni and more to learn about the people and the communities that will shape your MBA experience. With the COVID-19 pandemic shifting most Admissions events to virtual delivery for the foreseeable future, this episode is essential listening for any prospective student considering any of UVA Darden’s MBA formats.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Mary Swan (Class of 2022). Mary is a second year student in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2022, and prior to Darden, she attend the United States Military Academy and served as an officer in U.S. Army. We talk with Mary about her transition to Darden, how she spent her first year summer as well as her advice for prospective students. Interestingly, after Darden graduation, Mary will be returning to West Point where she will be an instructor.

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Oluwaseyi “Seyi” Oyenekan (Class of 2022). Originally from Nigeria, Seyi is a second year student in our Full-Time MBA program, and she is also President of UVA Darden’s Black Business Student Association. We chat with Seyi about her MBA journey, how Darden ended up on her radar, adjusting to the Darden classroom and learning through the case method and her interest in pursuing an investment banking career in Houston, Texas. 

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with recent Full-Time MBA graduate Pranav Dalmia (MBA ’21). During his time at Darden, Pranav founded the Business Ethics club. We talk with him about his passion for business ethics, why he thinks Darden’s practical, hands-on orientation to business education is so impactful and how he decided to pursue a PhD after graduation.

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we welcome back friend of the pod, Senior Associate Dean Yael Grushka-Cockayne, to talk about UVA Darden’s newest MBA format, the Part-Time MBA. We also take time to check in with Yael about her first year leading the Executive MBA program, what she’s currently researching, why she’s so passionate about project management and how she’s processing England’s recent loss to Italy in the European Championship final.

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the sixth installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Lili Powell. Powell is a member of the Communication faculty, and she also has a joint appointment with the UVA School of Nursing. We talk with her about her interest in mindfulness and resilience, as well as what she has learned from her work with healthcare providers. Powell also shares insights about how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped and redefined the ways we communicate with one another.