Smith School Holds Annual Diversity Event

The annual “Diversity at Smith” event was held at University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business on November 7, 2009. The main aim of the event was to provide prospective MBA candidates the opportunity to experience the Smith MBA. A large number of potential candidates turned up to benefit from the daylong event, where they could directly interact with Smith Admissions Team, alumni and current students.

Representatives from Smith Recruiting Team, Black MBA Association, Smith Association of Women MBAs, Hispanic MBA Association, Smith Pride Alliance, and other student groups welcomed the guests at the breakfast. J. Gerald Suarez, associate dean of external strategy, gave a welcome address.

Ron Josey, assistant vice president at Barclays Capital (formerly Lehman Brothers), was the keynote speaker at the event. Josey talked about his time spent at Smith as a student and how he tried to make the most of it. He shared his work experiences at Lehman Brothers and presented his insight about the reasons behind the economic recession and how Smith School through its rigorous challenges and ever-evolving curriculum helped him compete in such an uncertain environment. He reiterated the fact that Smith’s emphasis on diversity, interactive community and alumni relations provide the students with perfect tools to succeed in the professional world by learning diverse perspectives in an intellectually simulated environment.

Suarez explained what Smith School learned from economic crisis and how the program has evolved during this period. He elaborated on the efforts that have helped Smith School increase its focus on business ethics, corporate responsibility and social value creation. Net Impact, a student club at Smith School of Business, Suarez mentioned, is dedicated to create positive economic, social and environmental change while educating students and professionals to become true business leaders.

After the break, the guests were split into the four groups as per their choice of program; full-time MBA, part-time MBA, and MS degrees in business with a focus accounting or finance. Prospective students were briefed about the application process, structure of respective programs and curriculum details. The attendees benefitted from these sessions and had a chance to ask any queries they had about the programs. They were also shown around the building, Van Munching Hall, by current students.

Betsy Kacizak, member services specialist for GMAC, presented a workshop providing tips on how to prepare for the GMAT and excel on it. The workshop was followed by lunch, which provided the prospective students with yet another opportunity to network with alumni and current students, who had a lot to share. Soon after, a more formal discussion with alumni and current students, was held to address their experiences in regards to the admission process, academic experiences, MBA community at Smith, student life and employment opportunities. This was time for participants to ask questions and hear the "real deal" of being a student here at Smith.

Henry C. Boyd III, a Tyser Teaching Fellow of marketing, and Cynthia Kay Stevens, associate professor of management and organization, delivered lectures on Business Ethics and Negotiation Skills. The sessions provided the prospective students with a look into the academic experience at Smith. Kecia Hansard, from the Office of Career Services, followed the lectures, addressing the audience's questions on how the office supports and helps the students with their career and professional development. She explained the changes taking place in the economy and how the office reacts to these challenges.

The event turned out to be a great success with Smith School of Business delivering its promise of focus on diversity and global studies. The prospective students left the campus filled with Smith experience that helped them have a clearer picture on what Smith has to offer and how to approach the admission process.

Nabeel Jawad, MBA Candidate 2011, Smith Media Group