Academic Certificates

Cherie Castain – MS LOD Executive and Professional Coaching

Returning to graduate school after a 20-year break was a decision I approached with hesitation, but the Executive Education Program at UTD exceeded all my expectations. From the very first semester, the program proved to be transformative, reigniting my passion for learning and inspiring me to pursue my master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Development with a concentration in Executive and Professional Coaching.

Through the curriculum and supportive learning environment, I strengthened my professional skills, gained confidence, and expanded my network in meaningful ways. The relationships I formed with peers, faculty, and industry professionals continue to enrich both my personal and professional life. The program has had a remarkable impact on my growth and has positively influenced every aspect of my career journey.

For anyone considering a return to higher education, UTD’s Executive Education Program offers an exceptional pathway to advance your goals, no matter your background or how long you’ve been away from the classroom.

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.

David Gill

After much engineering and product development experience in the semiconductor/electronic product space, I found this program to be exceptional for enriching my knowledge of the full product lifecycle. The curriculum was well balanced, engaging and formatted so individual benefits from their own studies as well as others’ perspectives through group interaction. The program is not limited to the boundaries of sourcing and purchasing but rather includes the study and tools for management of the complete product lifecycle. I have a much-improved understanding of operational considerations and a complete tool set to utilize because of the PLSCM program. It has greatly increased my contribution and success in executing my responsibilities.

Amanda Merritt – MBA, MS LOD Organizational Consulting and Transformational Leadership

When I decided to go back to school 18 years after my undergrad, I knew I wanted a program that would challenge me, allow me to keep working, and give me the best foundation for my future career growth, and I found it here. I loved everything about my OBCC experience. The flexibility and online format gave me the ability to balance my job, my family (with three very active teenagers), and my coursework, without sacrificing the depth of knowledge I was looking for. It wouldn’t have been possible for me to complete my degree without it. The whole OBCC team is truly the best. All of my professors were available for chats about class, assignments, and any other random questions, from PhD possibilities to professional experiences, and the admin office was always quick to answer my questions and help me with exactly what I needed, especially when I wanted to finish my MSLOD with two certificates. They arranged my schedule to fit everything in alongside my MBA courses, and I was able to finish both degrees in just under three years. My time in the program has been invaluable, and I would recommend any of the OBCC programs every time.

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.

Esteban Santos, EMBA 2021

I have to say that coaching was one of the best things about this program. It really helped me stay motivated and focused on my goals. My coach was incredibly supportive and always had great advice for me. I feel like I learned a lot from our sessions together and I am so grateful for the experience. I would definitely recommend coaching to anyone who is looking to make positive changes in their life.

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.

Edtrina Moss – EMBA with an Emphasis on Healthcare Organization Leadership

As a practicing registered nurse with a PhD in Nursing Science and a graduating student in the Executive MBA program at the University of Texas at Dallas, Naveen Jindal School of Management, my journey has been both rigorous and rewarding. The program has equipped me with invaluable skills in strategic leadership, healthcare management, and operational efficiency to think strategically and approach complex healthcare challenges with innovative solutions. The opportunity to blend my clinical expertise with executive-level education has been invaluable in advancing my ability to drive organizational change and improve patient outcomes.

Qiana Levy

UTDs EMBA program has surpassed my expectations. The program allowed me to maintain a demanding work schedule alongside a rigorous course load. The caliber of the professors and students, and the alignment of the course materials was exceptional. The program was well-designed and added immense value to my professional growth. Immeasurable components included the executive projects, international trip, collaboration and rich discussions with like-minded professionals. The curriculum enriched my business acumen, strategic foresight/execution, relationship-building and change management skills, as well as created enduring friendships. I am deeply appreciative and highly recommend UTDs EMBA program.

Ashwin Prakash, GLEMBA ’20

Head of Data Science and Analytics, HCA Healthcare

The application of learnings from Operations Management and Strategic Management courses helped make an immediate impact in my job, merging the lines between school and work while providing an instant return on investment for my employer.

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.

Alberto Gutierrez Algren

Immediately after graduating, I was able to transition to higher position. I am very certain that without the MBA and PLSCM expertise gained through UTD and this program, I would not have had these opportunities for advancement. Additionally, I was able to utilize that knowledge, to become part of two start-up business opportunities, which I would not have even considered for fear of the unknown before earning my MBA.

Imraan Husain, GLEMBA ’17

Director, Articulator Dental Management

This was the most valuable decision I have made to advance my career, and my life. The WebConference meetings provided the convenience of continued engagement regardless of time zones. The program will add value to your life, in as many aspects as you choose

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.

Colleen Rodriguez – EMBA with an Emphasis on Healthcare Organization Leadership

Completing my EMBA HOL was truly transformative. This program provided foundational knowledge in the business of healthcare and I also gained a dynamic network of peers and mentors. The connections I made and the skills I gained have opened doors I never imagined and will continue to shape my career trajectory.

Jennifer Covarrubias – EMBA with an Emphasis on Healthcare Organization Leadership

As I prepare to graduate from the Executive MBA program, I find myself reflecting on just how transformative this experience has been for me; both as a healthcare professional and as a leader. Coming into the program, I hoped to strengthen my leadership skills and gain tools I could apply immediately in my organization. What I didn’t expect was how deeply this program would reshape the way I think, lead, and show up for my teams.

The faculty brought such a practical, real-world approach that made even the most complex concepts feel accessible and directly relevant. I never felt like I was simply completing assignments; I felt like I was learning from leaders who genuinely cared about our growth.

Working alongside peers from different industries broadened my perspective and helped me become a more thoughtful and well-rounded leader. This program didn’t just enhance my skills; it enhanced my confidence. I leave feeling more prepared, more grounded, and more inspired than when I started.

Bill Disario

I can confidently say that earning my MBA in Supply Chain Management at UT Dallas later in life has strengthened my business knowledge base, even after working for several decades in mid-level operational and supply chain roles. In addition, having a specialized MBA has enabled better promotional and advancement leadership roles as well as higher level compensation opportunities. I would highly recommend this program for anyone looking to take their Supply Chain career path to the next level!

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.

Thomas Rodgers (EMBA 2022)

The Executive MBA program has been a fantastic experience, and the cohort has become more than just a group of students taking a class together- we have become friends that can lean on each other and help our fellow cohort members no matter what. Aside from the incredibly talented faculty and staff, the networking opportunities have been invaluable. I know the connections that I’m making with this cohort will last and benefit my career well into the future. The curriculum has been curated to be relevant and useful for today’s business environment. The academic experience has been challenging and is one of the myriad reasons why I would recommend this program to anyone considering an MBA.

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.