Academic Certificates

Sean Seabrook, MS LOD

The UTD MS in Leadership and Organizational Development is a transformative experience. The coaching certificate provides leading industry training for coaching and the ICF exam, and the organizational consulting certificate gave me practical tools and resources to develop a consulting practice. The MS degree gave me the knowledge to grow as leader and drive change in today’s fast-moving business environment. Professors in the program have corporate backgrounds, bridging academic theory with practical application, and the program is accredited in a business school which also enhances its value and the learning experience. The program expanded my network and I’ve made some life-long friends along the way. The value and experience is outstanding!

Tyrrell (TJ) Thermezi II – MS LOD Transformational Leadership Testimonial

My journey at UTD has been both personal and transformational. I moved from Orlando, Florida, unsure of my next step, but I knew I had a natural gift for leadership. While searching for programs that aligned with my passion, I found UTD’s MS in Leadership and Organizational Development program with a concentration in Transformational Leadership. As a full-time 5th grade teacher, the online format gave me the flexibility I needed while still offering a rich and meaningful experience. One of the biggest challenges I faced was being a young teacher, I often felt underestimated. I stayed committed to my students—and their growth and test scores spoke volumes. Those early challenges helped build my confidence and showed me the impact of staying focused and purpose driven. One course that especially stood out to me was Strategic Leadership with Dr. Anne Ferrante. Her course helped me think critically about long-term vision, systems thinking, and leading with both strategy and heart. It continues to shape the way I approach leadership today. Since then, I’ve moved to Chicago and stepped into a new leadership role supporting high school culture and student development. Now, just a year after teaching, I’m pursuing school administration with the goal of becoming a principal at Noble Schools. The MS LOD gave me the foundation and belief to lead boldly—and I’m just getting started.

Jennifer Masie, EMBA 2022

Vice President, Retail Operations and Chief of Staff

I immediately began to apply the skills sets from statistics and economics at work. I can see how the knowledge and confidence has enabled me to be a better contributor overall.

Ellie Shollenberger

The UT Dallas Product Lifecycle & Supply Chain Management is a unique and one of a kind Executive MBA program; no other school offers this concentration. Unlike the traditional EMBA with a finance focus, this program taught me the importance of making the best business decision beyond the numbers. The knowledge and experience I gained in the program has given me more opportunities to be involved with important projects and to manage corporate programs in the company; and I am enjoying this challenge. Most importantly, I learned a lot from my highly experienced classmates with different backgrounds, and the friendships we built during our international study trip is a lifetime gift and priceless!

Megan Lightfoot Metzger, MS LOD

As a business owner and consultant, I sought to expand my knowledge to foster the growth of both my own businesses and my clients’ ventures. For years, I thought an MBA was the natural next step, but discovering the MS in Leadership and Organizational Development (MSLOD) program felt like finding the perfect fit. Each course offered immediate, actionable insights that I could implement to enhance my businesses and support my clients.
The faculty at UT Dallas brings a wealth of expertise and real-world experience to every lesson, but what truly sets them apart is their genuine commitment to each student. Professors were always open to discussing the coursework and went beyond by offering invaluable advice tailored to my unique challenges and goals. My time at UT Dallas has made me a more effective consultant and a better person, and I’m deeply grateful for the profound impact of their mentorship and guidance.

Curtis Clark

My experience during the Supply Chain EMBA program was very rewarding, both professionally and personally. I experienced a terrific camaraderie with my fellow classmates who shared a desire to learn. Dr. Rajamani has a passion for what he teaches and for helping students realize the difference they can make in the workplace. With students from many different industries and cultural backgrounds, I was able to broaden my perspective on the global nature of supply chains. I made this investment in myself.

Jacob Heller, MS LOD

The MSLOD program with the Strategic HR concentration gave me the knowledge and confidence to achieve my career goals. The curriculum helped me reframe how I approach business leaders daily to achieve my intended results better. The program provided both breadth and depth of understanding while also giving me the tools to dive deeper and learn more independently when needed.

Khaled Hallak, EMBA 2021

Bank of America, Officer, Syndicated Loan Closer

I joined the EMBA program at UT Dallas with aspirations to hone my business acumen and skillsets gathered from academia and real-world experience through both entrepreneurship and large corporate ventures. The EMBA program did not polish my current understanding; they shattered my foundation and rebuilt my business knowledge with the most cutting-edge academics through a prestigious curriculum and world-renowned professors. Throughout the rigors of this program, I quickly learned the importance and power of my cohort. With an ocean of information flowing towards you, it is impossible for one person to absorb and process on their own. I formed a tight bond with some of the brightest executive minds across an array of industries. In this program, we did more than just dissect and examine case studies from historic events; we were able to consult with real corporations in efforts to aid with ongoing and current issues. Our impact was evidenced when select corporations successfully implemented our recommendations. This program is far from easy, it will push you to new heights and you will need to reintroduce yourself to your family and friends upon graduation. On the bright side, the leaders of this program, Pamela Brady (Program Director) and Connie Imhof (Program Manager), are such genuine and caring people, you will feel like a part of a new family throughout the duration of this program. If you are looking to expand your knowledge and grow your network, the EMBA at UTD comes highly recommended.

Tamer Elshamy, GLEMBA ’19

Sales Director, Fawry Banking and Payment Technology Services

An exceptional experience mixed with both cutting edge knowledge and great personal skills improvement.

Andy Miller, GLEMBA ’16

IT Operations Manager, Splunk

The GLEMBA program’s focus on global business challenges was vital in helping me to understand how my company can grow and succeed in a globally competitive landscape. The courses, interaction with peers and the exceptional faculty have empowered me to analyze and solve problems differently – essentially the program has enabled me to become a better leader.

Vinay Rao, EMBA 2021

ERP Specialist Advisor NTT Data Services

As an engineer, who made decisions mostly based on data, I was most impacted by courses like organizational behavior, c-suite leadership, and performance transformation. I also enjoyed all the finance and economics classes. These topics helped broaden my perception of what I can do for my company and community.

Nicole Roettele – MS LOD Executive and Professional Coaching

I came for the Certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching and loved the experience and the learning so much that I stayed for a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Development! I especially appreciated the cohort model and working so closely with such incredible professionals.

Emily Elizarde – MS LOD Transformational Leadership

My true passion lies in developing the teams I lead and enhancing learning amongst organizations. To me, the most meaningful part of leading a team is leaning into the continual growth and development of our most important asset – our people. The MS LOD at UT Dallas surpassed my expectations by providing me with an enhanced perspective and equipping me with frameworks rooted in research that I use in the workplace daily. The most valuable thing I experienced was the camaraderie and diversity of thought that was offered throughout the program. Being surrounded by the rich experiences of both instructors and students with an interest in how humans’ impact organizational ecosystems was invaluable to me. The program was such a worthwhile endeavor. I gained new and meaningful perspectives and have successfully applied so many new concepts to my experience. I especially enjoy sharing the knowledge I’ve gained through this program with other leaders in my organization. It’s a great feeling to know that the time I’ve dedicated to this course of study has the potential to generate a long-lasting, positive impact.

Andrew Svatek, EMBA 2022

Director of Operations, Svatek Consulting

When researching EMBA programs to pursue it was clear early on that UTD’s EMBA was the perfect fit for me. The elite faculty, diversity of the program, and relevant and evolving curriculum were huge drivers in my decision and made it a no-brainer. I always anticipated an academic journey that would challenge me personally and professionally, but what I did not anticipate was the unbelievable camaraderie and support of my cohort that was established on the first day of orientation. I have learned as much from my classmates as I have from my professors, and I know I will leave UTD with lifelong friends and a world-class executive education. I am so grateful for the opportunity to earn an EMBA at UTD JSOM

Veronica Sanchez, MS LOD

I was initially drawn to the Master of Science in Organizational Development program by its reputation for providing deep, practical insights and fostering leadership skills in a collaborative learning environment. The program not only met but surpassed my expectations by delivering rigorous coursework that broadened my understanding and expertise in organizational development. What truly enhanced my experience, however, were the remarkable peers I learned alongside, whose perspectives continually enriched our discussions, as well as the dedicated mentors, professors, and faculty members who invested wholeheartedly in my growth. This journey has been immensely rewarding, and I am excited to apply my skills and knowledge to continue to drive success and inspire others.

Cynthia Carter – MS LOD Executive and Professional Coaching

What drew me to the MS LOD program was the focus of developing leaders who inspire change through authenticity and purpose. As someone balancing a demanding career with a major airline company and a growing real estate business, I wanted a program that would help me align my leadership with my values. The program exceeded my expectations by integrating theory with real-world practice, offering mentorship from dedicated professors, and creating a space where vulnerability and growth were encouraged. It didn’t just teach leadership—it reshaped how I show up as a leader in every area of my life.

Denis Zub (EMBA 2022)

Just one year ago, when COVID-19 have not even appeared in top-1000 Google searches and flying anywhere on Earth was a five-minute decision, I was sitting in my chair thinking of the next career steps. The only thing I knew then was that I needed inspiration, rethinking, rebooting if you will. Boiling in your day-to-day problems, solving your pre-determined pattern of tasks, and being eventually stuck in your narrow life-box with a boring forward-looking prospect was not the life I wanted to live.

Daniel Hendrickson, EMBA 2022

VP, Sr. Financial Analyst, First United Bank

The EMBA cohort means being a part of an elite group of individuals with similar drives, intelligence, and upward mobility ambitions. As a member of the cohort, I have benefited from my fellow members’ experience and industry knowledge. The EMBA program is competitive, but the cohort is out for its members’ well-being and improvement.
Business Economics has been my favorite class so far. Professor Kiser’s wealth of knowledge is absolutely world-class. Economics is not an easy subject, but he has the ability to take complex concepts and make them easy to understand.
I would recommend the UTD EMBA program as they create an environment to focus on your professional development and advance it for decades. The material and classes are fantastic, but the quality of the cohort is even more impressive.

Erinn Marks, GLEMBA ’19

I searched for an online program that was a WIN-WIN. I was able to pursue my MBA and enjoy the last of the wonder years with my children.

Abigail Darling – Professional Certificate in Mediation and Dispute Resolution

As a young professional with an interest in the legal field, I came across UTD’s course on Mediation and Dispute Resolution. Nancy Boyle and Azure Brown were instrumental in why I enjoyed this class so much. The material was straight forward and digestible, but Nancy and Azure’s personalities, teaching styles and accounts of their experiences as mediators is where I learned the most. The program was well organized and balanced between course materials and mediation role plays with classmates. Overall, whether you are considering pursuing mediation, obtaining a Human Resource requirement, or you are just wanting to learn more about the art of mediation, I highly recommend this course.