Experience Darden

Experience Darden #244: Student Spotlight | Seiver Jorgensen, MBA/ME

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Seiver Jorgensen. Seiver is pursuing an MBA/Master of Engineering dual degree, and she is currently completing her first year at Darden. We talk with Seiver about what attracted her to the MBA/ME dual degree, what led her to Darden, and what she’s enjoyed about her experience so far. As she shares in the conversation, Seiver is neurodivergent, and we also discuss a new student organization she is starting focused on supporting students with disabilities.

Experience Darden #243: Office Hours Spotlight | In Conversation with Professor Jim Naughton

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we share a recent installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Jim Naughton. Naughton is an Associate Professor in the Accounting area at Darden, and his research examines how financial, legal, and regulatory institutions shape both financial disclosure and economic choices. We talk with Naughton about why he’s passionate about the case method, Darden’s approach to Accounting, his interest in ESG disclosures and more.

Experience Darden #242: Office Hours Spotlight | In Conversation with Professor Les Alexander

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we share a recent installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Les Alexander. Alexander is an experienced professor, venture capital and private equity investor, corporate executive, and investment banker, and he is a Professor of Practice in the Finance and Strategy, Ethics & Entrepreneurship areas at Darden. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk with Alexander about Venture Capital (VC), Private Equity (PE), his Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) elective, plans for the UVA Venture Capital Conference, his advice interested in VC and PE and more.

Experience Darden #241: Looking Back on the Fall Semester | Melissa Thomas-Hunt & Yael Grushka-Cockayne

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Melissa Thomas-Hunt and Yael Grushka-Cockayne. Melissa is the Senior Associate Dean for Darden’s Residential Full-Time MBA program and Yael is the Senior Associate Dean for Darden’s Professional Degree Programs. We talk with Melissa and Yael about the fall semester, highlights from the past few months, what they’re looking forward to in the spring, their advice for prospective students and more.

Experience Darden #240: Spotlight on the GWIB Conference

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Alankritha Bhushan and Madison Carey. Alankritha and Madsion are second year students in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and they serve as VPs Conference for Darden’s Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) club. We talk with Alankritha and Madison about their respective MBA journeys, what attracted them to serving on the GWIB leadership board, highlights from this year’s GWIB Conference and more.

Experience Darden #239: Student Spotlight | First Generation and Low-Income College Student Initiative

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with second year Full-Time MBA students Hoi-San Guan and Chloe Ramnarine to discuss Darden’s First Generation and Low-Income College Student Initiative (FGLI). The goal of this initiative is to foster community and a sense of belonging among first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI) college students at Darden. We talk with Hoi-San and Chloe about their MBA journeys, what led them to Darden, plans for the FGLI Initiative in the months ahead and more.

Experience Darden #238: Student Spotlight | Malcolm Stewart (Class of 2024)

In this episode of the podcast, we talk with Malcolm Stewart. Malcolm is a second year student in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and he applied to Darden through the Future Year Scholars program, our deferred enrollment program for undergraduates in their final year of study or full-time masters students who have not held a full-time work position. We talk with Malcolm about his background in asset management, his decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden, how he spent his summer, the impact of his Darden experience and more.

Experience Darden #237: Faculty Spotlight | Ayana Younge

In this special edition of the podcast, we catch up with Ayana Younge. Younge is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration in the Leadership and Organizational Behavior area at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and her research lies at the intersection of emotions, social hierarchy, and interpersonal processes. We talk with Younge about her journey to Darden, what it’s like to teach in Darden’s core curriculum, her elective – People, Purpose and the Power of Relationships, as well as her work with the PhD Project. Founded in 1994, The PhD Project seeks to diversify corporate America by diversifying the role models in the front of classrooms. Learn more.

Experience Darden #236: Faculty Spotlight | Allison Elias

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Allison Elias. Elias teaches courses about communication and negotiation in Darden’s MBA and Executive MBA programs, and we recently connected with her to discuss her journey to Darden, her elective – Women, Gender and Work – as well as her 2022 book, The Rise of Corporate Feminism. Elias was a nominee for the 2022 Outstanding Faculty Award at Darden, and her elective, Women, Gender, and Work, was rated among the top 10% of all Darden electives (according to student ratings regarding course content and instructor quality).

Experience Darden #235: Entrepreneur Spotlight | Peter Hamilton, ema.ai

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Peter Hamilton. Peter is a JD/MBA student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and he is also a founder. We recently connected with Peter to talk about his MBA journey as well as his current venture, ema.ai, an AI-powered personal assistant company that focuses on applying conversational AI to consumer products.

Experience Darden #234: Anton Dominic Dela Cruz, President, Pride at Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Anton Dominic Dela Cruz. Anton is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA program, and he is also the President of Pride at Darden student organization. We talk with Anton about his decision to pursue an MBA, what he enjoys about learning through the case method, Pride at Darden’s plans for the months ahead and more. Pride at Darden (PAD) is a student club that is dedicated to promoting an inclusive, open and welcoming environment for LGBTQ students, educating and improving awareness of LGBTQ issues within Darden and the surrounding Charlottesville area, and facilitating networking with other LGBTQ communities, other business schools and with diversity-friendly employers.

Experience Darden #233: Student Organization Spotlight | Black Business Student Association

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Chidiadi “Rising” Onyeukwu and Beza Bisrat. Rising and Beza are second year students in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and they are members of the Black Business Student Association (BBSA) leadership team – Rising serves as the President and Beza is the VP Careers and Academics. We talk with Rising and Beza about their respective MBA journeys, BBSA’s plans for the coming months, their advice for prospective students and more.

Experience Darden #232: Entrepreneur Spotlight | Grace Collins and Ellie Jamison, Play Henry

In this episode of the podcast, we continue our periodic spotlight on student founders at Darden in a conversation with Grace Collins and Ellie Jamison. Grace and Ellie are second year students in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and their venture, Play Henry, offers a fresh take on pickleball apparel and equipment – “from court to cocktail.” We talk with Grace and Ellie about their MBA journeys, what inspired their venture, their experience in the UVA’s summer iLab incubator, what’s next for Play Henry and more.  

Experience Darden #231: In Conversation | Interim Dean Jeanne Liedtka

In this special edition of Darden Admissions’ podcasts, we’re excited to share a recent conversation between Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Clarke and Interim Dean of the Darden School of Business Jeanne Liedtka. In this wide-ranging conversation, Liedtka reflects upon her tenure at the Darden School, what drew her to the field of Design Thinking, what she loves about Charlottesville, the impact of the Darden academic environment and more. This episode is essential listening.

Experience Darden #230: Meet Victoria Velasquez, Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

In this episode we catch up with Victoria Velasquez. Victoria is a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and she is also President of Darden’s Consulting Club. We talk with Victoria about her background, her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden as well as what drew her to leading the Consulting Club. She also shares the Consulting Club’s plans for the months ahead and how the club supports students with an interest in consulting.

Experience Darden #229: Faculty Spotlight | Jim Zuffoletti (MBA ’05)

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Jim Zuffoletti. Jim is a Darden alum, graduating in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2005, and he recently returned to Darden to serve as Entrepreneurship Community Director for the Batten Institute as well as an instructor for the Venture Velocity course. We talk with Jim about his background, his passion for entrepreneurship, what the Venture Velocity course is all about, his advice for prospective students and more.  

Experience Darden #228: Tips for Round 1 Applicants with Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Clarke

The Round 1 deadline for Darden’s Full-Time MBA program is 4 October! In the spirit of the season, we catch up with Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Clarke to hear her tips and advice for Round 1 applicants.

Experience Darden #227: Spotlight on the Darden Diversity Conference

This year’s Darden Diversity Conference will take place late October 2023, with the virtual event scheduled for 23 October and the in-person event planned for 28-29 October. In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with three first year students in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 who attended last year’s Diversity Conference – Matt Au, Brianna Huff and Luis Otero. We talk with Matt, Brianna and Luis about their respective MBA journeys, the role the Diversity Conference played in their MBA research processes as well as why they think prospective students should attend this event.

Experience Darden #226: Meet Sid Parekh, Full-Time MBA Class of 2024

During this episode, we catch up with Sid Parekh, a second year student in UVA Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024. We talk with Sid about his decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden, as well as his engagement with the Student Admissions Committee (SAC) and his leadership roles with Darden’s Consulting Club and the Community Consultants of Darden student organization.

Experience Darden #225: Meet Alex Hickey, President, Darden Wine and Cuisine Club (WACC)

In this episode of the podcast, we talk with Alex Hickey. Alex is a second year student in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and she is also the President of the Darden Wine and Cuisine Club (WACC). We talk with Alex about her background, how she decided to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, her experience serving as social rep for her first year section, WACC’s plans for the months ahead and more.    

Experience Darden #224: Re-Air: Office Hours with Bob Bruner

We’re excited to re-share one of our favorite conversations from earlier in the year – our Office Hours interview with Dean Emeritus Bob Bruner. As a financial economist, Bruner is best known for his research on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and financial panics. He served as dean of the Darden School from 2005 to 2015, and, this May, he retired from the Darden School in May after 41 years of service and leadership. In this conversation, we talk with Bruner about what led him to Darden, his passion for the case method, his interest in financial crises, what the panic of 1907 can tell us about financial crises generally, his thoughts on the recent Silicon Valley Bank collapse and more.  

Experience Darden #223: Pre-Matriculation Support for Full-Time MBA Students

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Managing Director of Admissions Whitney Kestner to talk about the support available to Full-Time MBA students prior to the start of school. In this wide-ranging discussion we touch upon a host of resources including CDWhy, Accounting MOOCs, B-Ready, Darden Before Darden, International Student Orientation Program (ISOP), the ‘Hoo Crews and more.

Experience Darden #222: Office Hours Spotlight | In Conversation with Professor Tim Laseter

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcast, we share a recent installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Tim Laseter (MBA ’94, PhD ’03). Laseter is a member of the Technology and Operations Management faculty, and he teaches courses in operations strategy, innovation and emerging technology at Darden. He maintains his connections with practitioners by serving clients as a senior advisor, speaker, workshop facilitator, and expert witness. In this conversation we talk with Laseter about his background, what led him to Darden for his MBA, what he enjoys about teaching, as well as how he discovered his interest in operations. We also discuss several of his courses, including Operations Strategy, Digital Operations, Emerging Topics in Technology & Operations, his Darden Worldwide Course and a new course he has helped develop for Darden Executive Education, “Unlocking Value of AI, Blockchain and Digital Assets.”

Experience Darden #221: Full-Time MBA App Launch | Dawna Clarke, Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Clarke

Darden’s Full-Time MBA application is now live, and in honor of the occasion, we recently caught up with Senior Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Clarke to talk about this year’s application. During this conversation, we discuss this year’s short answer questions, choosing a recommender, Darden’s Full-Time MBA test waiver request process and more.

Experience Darden #220: Alison Neveu, VP of Admissions, GWIB

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Alison Neveu. Alison is a student in Darden’s Full-Time MBA Class of 2024, and she is also VP of Admissions for the Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) club. We talk with Alison about her background, how she decided to pursue an MBA, her experience serving as a General Equity representative for her First Year section, what attracted her to the VP of Admissions role and much more.