How coming together virtually makes pursuing an MBA a little less lonely.
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Greg Muraski
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301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

We’ve all heard that there is a place and time for everything; one of those things being vulnerability. Like many others, I used to believe that being vulnerable was equivalent to showing weakness. However, after reading numerous articles, watching talks by author and podcaster Brené Brown, and learning about psychological safety in my Leadership and Teamwork class, I realize I had it all wrong. Presently, I sing the tune that vulnerability is strength. Truth is, it takes courage to reveal parts of ourselves that may go against our self-presentations.
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Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

In a world where “Star Wars,” “The Office” and ugly sweaters can all be part of the holiday gathering, I am here to say, affirmatively, that virtual holiday spirit is real and alive. On Friday, I attended the very first signature event of the academic year, MBA Community Happy Hour, planned by our fearless MBAA vice president of signature events, Niharika Gupta. She collaborated with the PTMBA Association to provide the full-time and part-time MBA students an opportunity to network and get to know each other through a fun gingerbread decorating competition.
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Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a virtual Lunch and Learn event about the major Indian holiday, Diwali. Last year, the on-campus Diwali celebration was one of the highlights of the academic year, so I was very excited to participate in more festivities this semester. Event attendees were given gift cards that they could use at a nearby Indian restaurant of their choice, so we could all share a virtual Diwali meal. Personally, I went with an order of butter chicken, samosas and the mango/yogurt drink, lassi (it was delicious). 
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Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

The emergence of COVID-19 has changed much of life as we know it. Gone are the days of handshakes and high-fives, social gatherings, parties and live events and countless other things that we took for granted. In times of social distancing, MBA students have had to adapt to new ways to keep in touch with each other. Students have taken advantage of the phone and internet to find creative ways to maintain a sense of community.
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Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

It’s a quintessential University of Maryland love story. Justin Ferguson and Jasmine Snead first met on the University of Maryland College Park campus in 2015. He was studying communications. She was studying political science and African American studies. He liked structure and planning. She liked to decide as she went along.
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Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

My first MBA term flew by more quickly than I ever could have anticipated. The number of late nights and long hours spent studying for courses that challenged me over the past few months outnumbered any term I spent in my undergraduate program. I know, without any hesitation, I could not have succeeded without the support from a tight-knit cohort – a cohort filled with people I genuinely enjoy.
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Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Successfully completing a two-year MBA program can be difficult. But when you are expecting a child, the demands on your time can pose even more of a challenge. According to its class profile at University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, the 2019-2020 full-time MBA cohort averages 30 years of age. That means many students are faced with the additional challenge of balancing new additions to their families while going through the program.
  • Tags

Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

I grew up in the suburbs in North Carolina and got my bachelor's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill. But it wasn't until I left Raleigh, N.C., to pursue a job in New York City that I realized how impactful diversity can be when it comes to shaping my own perspectives. Hearing about cultures, religions and values that differed wildly from my own shaped my understanding of the world, of people and of business.
  • Tags

Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

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