16
December
2013
|
15:45 PM
America/Chicago

First MBA Class at UHD Celebrates Graduation at December Commencement

"Unforgettable," "inspiration," "hands-on," and "endless possibilities," are a few words that UHD's first class of MBA graduates used to describe the program at the University's December commencement ceremony this week.

On Sunday, Dec. 15, 14 of the new MBA professionals participated in the event and attended an honorary "hooding" ceremony for the graduates and their families at Minute Maid Park.

Mike Fields, dean of the College of Business, commended the students for "taking a leap of faith," with a new MBA program and congratulated them for achieving this milestone in their careers and lives. Gary Stading, associate dean of Graduate Studies at the College of Business, encouraged the graduates to "stick together and become ambassadors for the MBA program at UHD." He urged them to hire UHD alumni and to continue to grow their valuable network that began during the program.

Carmen Cuevas, assistant dean of the College of Business, and Debbie Francis, lecturer and original director of UHD's MBA program, also addressed attendees and applauded their accomplishment.

Some new MBA graduates shared their impressions of the program at the hooding ceremony:

  • "The UHD MBA program was an unforgettable experience. The faculty, staff and fellow students quickly became like family to me. The MBA program not only prepared me to be a better leader; it gave me the tools which have created endless possibilities that have enhanced my career and growing family."

­ Frank Lafuente, MBA Class of 2013

  • "Two years ago, I committed to a journey that was not only going to better me as an individual, but serve as an inspiration to those around me. The journey was a difficult one, but like many things in this world that are worth doing, they typically are. Today, I am privileged to say that I am an MBA graduate from UHD and realize that there is more work to be done. Lastly, I have a sense of commitment to my community and future generations, therefore, I dedicate this milestone to them."

­ Manny Rojas, MBA class of 2013

UHD alumnus (Finance, 2008)

  • "We graduate today with a tremendous sense of optimism about the unlimited possibilities afforded us with an MBA from UHD. As we stand here today, waving our degrees, we are optimistic about advancing with our current companies, finding brand new opportunities, or finally fulfilling that dream of entrepreneurship. UHD, with its topnotch professors, hometown atmosphere and diverse student body represents all that is good about Houston and was the perfect place to launch a first-class business career."

­ Cheryl Greaux, MBA class of 2013

UHD alumna (Accounting, 2005)

UHD's first class of MBA graduates includes Gerardo Barrera, Marcus Finch, Ramon Garza, Cheryl Greaux, Timothy Johnson, Robert King, Francisco Lafuente, Alma Pedraza, Manuel Rojas, Margarita Salazar, Tayyaba Sheikh, Huy Tran, Marjorie Urbina, Javier Villarreal and Glenn Wyers.

UHD's MBA program:

The MBA program at UHD prepares business leaders with the knowledge, tools and critical-thinking skills needed to lead organizations. Faculty in the program teach practical methods for dealing with real-world challenges that businesses face now and will encounter in the future. The UHD MBA is designed for working professionals, enabling them to continue their careers while earning an advanced business education. Immersed in each class is the business case method of learning. Using real examples faced by businesses, and combining instruction with classroom discussion, exercises, role plays and team work, students generate multiple solutions to business problems.

UHD's College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, AACSB-International, the premier professional accrediting body for business school programs. Only the top 15 percent of the world's 12,000 business schools have achieved this accreditation.

For more photos from commencement, click here.

First UHD MBA Class