Executive Education at UT Dallas — Draft

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.

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!

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!

Rob Stogsdill – MS LOD Coaching

The MS LOD program gave me knowledge and skills that I use on a daily basis in my leadership position in a Fortune 40 company. I’ve been coaching people for over a decade. The executive coaching program gave me insights, skills and the experience I needed to take my coaching to the next level. It really helped me set my clients up for success.

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.

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.

Anwar Mohammad Sirajuddin – EMBA with an Emphasis on Healthcare Organization Leadership

The learning experience was incredible, not just from the content perspective but the insights gained from real-world case studies and discussions with professors who’ve earned the stripes of experience. But the best part were my classmates. We came from all corners of the healthcare world, united by a common goal, and maybe a shared caffeine addiction! The friendships we built and the connections we made have been invaluable. I now have an entire network of brilliant people I can turn to.

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.

Dan Glasky

I was fortunate enough to discover and then enroll in the Product Lifecycle and Supply Chain Management Program at The University of Texas at Dallas. The program was extremely beneficial to me as it tied together the various stages of the product lifecycle with optimal supply chain solutions in order to create value through the chain; a must for anyone working in the CPG industry. Combined with the MBA curriculum, I found the program “connected the dots” specifically in the areas of finance and accounting. I enjoyed being on campus once a month, participating in lectures and working/learning in a highly collaborative environment!

Mohammed Omer, GLEMBA ’19

It’s about the experiences of exchanging skill sets and perspectives.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nickquolette Barrett – MS LOD Coaching

What attracted me to the MSLOD program was its strong blend of academic rigor and real-world application, led by professors who are also active practitioners. I wanted more than theory—I needed tools to help me transition from corporate leadership to full-time business ownership. The program delivered beyond expectations, equipping me with practical strategies, a powerful peer network, and the confidence to scale my coaching and consulting practice. It was truly the bridge between my corporate past and entrepreneurial future.

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.

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.

Holly Martin, GLEMBA ’19

Customer Experience Manager, J.B. Hunt

Because of this program, I was able to present within my organization to five different groups, which led to a promotion, an invitation to assist with three special projects as a new manager, and an appointment as a co-chair to lead professional development for an internal employee resource group.

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.