Testimonials
Paul Gianneschi
Executive MBA, Class of 1999
Managing Principal and Founder
Hatch Medical, L.L.C.
Other Professional Affiliations: Past-president and current board member of the Southeastern Medical Device Association; Board Member, The Center For Health & Learning, Piedmont Healthcare / Mercer University Partnership; Member, Board of Visitors, Stetson School of Business and Economics, at Mercer University; Member, Alumni Board, Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer University; American – Israel Chamber of Commerce; SE Region – Medical Committee
Mercer’s Executive MBA program gave me the confidence and skills needed to start my own successful business upon graduation. Running my own company has allowed me to take control of my future, and has provided me with unbelievable opportunities to grow both personally and professionally… and all started with Mercer.
Many of our assignments during the program were team-based projects which often required us to lead a group to achieve a stated goal. The lessons and skills learned in these group exercises were invaluable. Team building skills are essential to achieving high levels of professional success and this aspect of the program has been instrumental in my personal success. My presentation and public speaking skills improved immensely as a result of the course requirements. I can now stand in front of a room full of strangers and feel comfortable making a presentation or leading a group discussion.
On the personal side, I made several life-long friends in the program, many who have gone on to achieve incredible levels of professional success. Every time I speak to my Mercer colleagues, we always reflect on our time at Mercer in a positive way.
The Executive MBA program at Mercer literally changed my life! I am proud to be a Mercer Bear!
Eric Hess
Executive MBA, Class of 2005
Vice President, Global Business Development
Ricerca Biosciences
I pursued an Executive MBA degree at Mercer to gain the academic business skills I needed to complement my scientific credentials, and open up higher-level professional opportunities.
The most important competency that I acquired during my study at Mercer was the ability to critically think through issues and problems. To be able to break a problem down, diagnose the issues, propose solutions, analyze outcomes, and choose the best path forward has allowed me to be successful in the professional roles I have taken on since completing my Executive MBA.
After completing my Executive MBA at Mercer, the company i was working for promoted me from sales into a Director of Sales Operations role. A year later, I left the company for a challenging opportunity as Vice President of Global Business Operations, Supply Chain Management, and Facilities.
Brian Coe
Executive MBA, Class of 2011
Manager, IT Contracts and Vendor Management
Southern Company
Other Professional Affiliations: Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council's IT Buyer of the Year 2009
Having advanced fairly rapidly, I was becoming concerned that in the future I would hit a wall that I could not overcome without having an MBA. I looked at several EMBA and MBA programs in the Atlanta area. When it came time to choose a program, there was only one choice, Mercer's Executive MBA. Mercer made it easy to meet their faculty and talk about the program. I had the opportunity to connect with former and current students who were happy to talk about their experience. What became clear is that everyone involved with Mercer's Executive MBA cares about their students and alumni. The faculty is impressive and the program provided the pace I needed as well as a schedule that is manageable with the demands of my work.
Mercer's Executive MBA program has already helped me refine and further develop my communication and presentation skills. The professors challenge participants not just to have the right answer, but to know how to present it in a defensible way. The faculty are not just classroom teachers, they are active in the real world, consulting and working with businesses and government agencies.
The program is equipping me with skills that I can use throughout the rest of my career. The human resources classes have challenged me to rethink the way I lead my work group. I am picking up the skills to move beyond managing my team to become a strategic leader.
Gregory Parchment
Executive MBA, Class of 2011
Financial Analyst
IBM
I entered the Executive MBA program with more than nine years of experience at a Fortune 500 company. In my current non-management role as a Global Financial Analyst, I have learned that changes occur daily and new issues require immediate resolution. I chose Mercer's Executive MBA program because of the combination of the learning environment and curriculum, which includes management, accounting, statistics, human resources, marketing, economics, and so much more.
The flexibility of having the courses every two weeks makes the program manageable even for those with a demanding, full-time job. The cohort style of the Executive MBA is really rewarding, and teaming with a diverse mix of professionals in the classroom has been a great asset to my learning. It has also created the opportunity for establishing life-long friendships and a strong network.
Studying with top executives from a different culture during the international residency is an opportunity to truly experience the impact of globalization on companies outside the United States. The application of critical thinking to our case studies has challenged me to move beyond my comfort zone and look at issues with a fresh perspective.
The incorporation of real-world case studies from various industries and global markets, supported by additional readings and class discussions, has provided me with the insight to understand the global market perspective. I have already gained a greater perspective of the challenges faced by companies due to corporate restructuring, activity in emerging markets, and technological advancements in a constantly changing international environment.
An immediate benefit from my Executive MBA experience has been a significant improvement in my presentation skills. For example, I recently incorporated a Gantt Chart into a presentation about the time-line for implementing recommendations, and it had a very positive impact on the flow of the meeting.
Alesia Monson Davis
Executive MBA, Class of 2011
Sr. Financial Analyst
Facet Technologies, LLC
Professional Affiliations: Association of Finance Professionals, National Society of Hispanic MBA Association, National Black MBA Association, Inroads Alumna
There were several factors that caused me to choose the Mercer Executive MBA. The AACSB accreditation, the length of the Executive MBA program, the small size of the cohort group, and the location of the school were all important to me. More than anything, I was inspired by the personalities, the achievements, and the energy of each professor that I met at the open house.
As a result of competencies gained in the program, I am now more aware of my strengths and more efficient in general. I have developed new skills and perspectives that I have put to use immediately for my company. I am forever changed, with a new scientific approach to thinking and research. My strategic decisions are now filtered through a much broader thought process which has enhanced every dimension of my life.
Danita Knox
Executive MBA, Class of 2011
Senior Service Manager
General Electric
Other Professional Affiliations: American Association of Blacks in Energy
As an operations manager for General Electric, I have 15 direct reports in an engineering services business that requires extensive travel domestically and some international travel. In my seventh year in the position, I am looking for additional tools to help prepare me for a larger strategic role. I spend the limited spare time I have volunteering. I am president of a non-profit focused on using rugby as a vehicle to help girls and women advance via sport.
I chose Mercer’s Executive MBA programs because of the staff and alumni engagement/discussion during information sessions; location and ease of access compared to downtown Atlanta options; price compared to similar programs.
So far, my classmates and I have been challenged and stretched by our instructors to provide true analysis and defense of our ideas rather than just turning in a deliverable. Having professors who are still active and relevant in industry driving robust class discussions is probably the best part of the program.
Prior to beginning this program, I heard about China and other BRIC countries in the news with the understanding that many US companies do business there. Now I am reading the Wall Street Journal and other trade magazines with an eye to assimilating financial, economic, and business strategies to see how they interplay and what the next logical steps might be for my company and others. It is not just about doing my job anymore but seeing how the pieces fit together. Already my thought process and approach to everyday business activities is changing. I'm learning to look more at the whole picture while starting to understand other key factors that can influence a business outcome.
Finally, my dialog with my manager has changed. I can have real discussions with him about where the business is going and how global activities might impact our strategy. I am able to share news and trends with him that he hasn't seen or considered yet.