Experience Darden

Experience Darden #139: Office Hours Spotlight | In Conversation with Professor Toni Irving

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the 11th installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Toni Irving. Irving is a Professor of Practice at the Darden School, and she teaches several courses in the Strategy, Ethics and Entrepreneurship area, including “Getting in the Room Where It Happens: How to Successfully Navigate the Workplace and Get Things Done”, “Business Ethics Through Literature”, Whose Streets?!: ESG Strategies to Create Competitive Advantage from Wall Street to Main Street” and “Thinking of a Master Plan: Non-Profit Management, Metrics & Impact Making in the Field.” In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk with Irving about her journey from UVA grad to English and American Literature PhD to English professor to Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for the Governor State of Illinois to founding and launching a social impact fund and now her work at Darden. She also shares insights about her courses and reflects upon what she enjoys about teaching both Full-Time MBA and Executive MBA students.

Experience Darden #138: Office Hours Spotlight | Professor Marc Lipson on the Power of the Darden Learning Experience

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the 10th installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Marc Lipson. Lipson is a member of the Finance faculty, and he teaches a wide range of courses at the Darden School, including First Year Finance, International Corporate Finance, and Innovators, Designers, and Entrepreneurs in Action. He also recently served as the Associate Dean for the Full-Time MBA program. Lipson’s principal area of research is market microstructure — the study of how market design and organization affects price formation and liquidity. We talk with Lipson about what led him to Darden, what he loves about the Darden classroom, his time as a visiting scholar at the New York Stock Exchange, as well as his passion for art and culture and how these interests inform his work.

Experience Darden #137: App Tips for Round 2 Applicants with Catie Yeilding

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome back an old friend, Director of Admissions Catie Yeilding. In this episode we talk with Catie about a wide range of topics, from her recent favorite podcast and college football to application tips and the Darden interview. Catie shares insights for applicants targeting Darden’s Full-Time MBA Round 2 application deadline. Essential listening.

Experience Darden #136: In Conversation | Olivia Pavco-Giaccia (Class of 2022), President of the Community Consultants of Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Olivia Pavco-Giaccia. Olivia is a second year student in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2022, and prior to arriving at Darden, she founded and ran a social enterprise, LabCandy, focused on breaking down gender barriers and educating young girls in STEM. We talk with her about her background in science and how she decided to pursue an MBA. Olivia is also the President of the Community Consultant of Darden student organization, and she shares insights about the club’s work and what the group has planned for the months ahead. Essential listening.

Experience Darden #135: In Conversation | Casey Lichtendahl, Co-Academic Director of the MSBA Program

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the ninth installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Casey Lichtendahl. Lichtendahl is a member of the Quantitative Analysis faculty and Co-Academic Director for the MS in Business Analytics program. He is also a Darden alumnus, and in this wide-ranging conversation, we talk with Lichtendahl about his background in the beverage industry, how a Quantitative Analysis course with Robert Carraway sparked his passion for data and changed his life, his recent work forecasting for Google, what it’s like to teach at Darden as an alumnus, why he feels the Darden learning environment is truly special and much more. Essential listening.

Experience Darden #134: Efficiency and Equity: In Conversation with Professor Dan Murphy

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the seventh installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Dan Murphy. Murphy is a member of the Global Economies and Market, and during this wide-ranging conversation, he touches upon everything from growing up in Denver and his twin passions for policy and economics to affordable housing and his favorite book of all-time.

Experience Darden #133: Shuai Yao | From a Social Media Talk Show to Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Shuai Yao (Class of 2023). Shuai reflects upon her personal story, including relocating from China to the Washington and launching her own global social media talk show on which she interviewed passengers she picked up while driving for Lyft. Shuai also shares insights from her first couple quarters at Darden, including how her Learning Team has become another family for her and her fellow teammates.

Experience Darden #132: Recapping This Year’s Darden Diversity Conference

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we recap the recent Darden Diversity Conference! This year’s conference was hosted virtually, and it marked the fourth occasion of this annual event. We catch up with two students who served on the Diversity Conference planning committee – Full-Time MBA student Khaliyah Legette (Class of 2022) and Executive MBA student Chi Lo (Class of 2022) – to talk about this year’s conference, the planning and preparation that went into the two-day affair, why diversity matters at Darden and more.

Experience Darden #131: In Conversation | GWIB President Natalia Alvarez Diaz (Class of 2022)

This weekend marks the occasion of Darden’s annual Diversity Conference! In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Natalia Alvarez Diaz. Natalia is a second year student in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2022, and she is also the President of the Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) club. In this wide-ranging conversation, Natalia reflects on a host of topics, ranging from her MBA journey and what led her to Darden to her passion for social justice and how community engagement has enriched her business school experience.

Experience Darden #130: Highlights From This Year’s Graduate Women In Business (GWIB) Conference

In this episode, we catch up with Second Year Full-Time MBA students Alex Goodman (Class of 2022) and Bridget Coburn (Class of 2022) to talk about plans for this year’s Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) Conference. Alex and Bridget also reflect upon their respective MBA journeys, what GWIB has meant to them during their time at Darden and what led them to serve on the GWIB Board as Vice Presidents of Conference.

Experience Darden #129: Josh Rombach (Class of 2022), Piiq | A Beverage Concept from Ancient Rome By Way of Sonoma

In this episode of the podcast, we continue our spotlight on student founders with a conversation with Josh Rombach (Class of 2022). Josh has recently launched a business focused on bringing piquette wine to the masses, Piiq. What is “piquette”? As the Piiq website notes, piquette dates back to Roman times, and it is an effervescent, sparkling wine. We talk with Josh about Piiq’s origins, how the Batten Institute and the Darden community have helped him in the early days of his venture and how Piiq is navigating the pandemic. Josh also offers reflections on his decision to pursue an MBA, what led him to Darden and more.

Experience Darden #128: Creating a New Story For Business | A Conversation with Professor Ed Freeman

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the seventh installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Ed Freeman. Freeman is a member of the Strategy, Ethics and Entrepreneurship faculty, and an academic director for UVA Darden’s Institute for Business in Society. We talk with Freeman and his background in philosophy, his work on stakeholder theory, and why we need a new story about business. Freeman also discusses his recent documentary, Fishing With Dynamite, as well as his new podcast, The Stakeholder Podcast. He also shares his top five “desert island” albums. Essential listening.

Experience Darden #127: A Deep Dive Into Dual Degrees

Calling all members of the full plate club. In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with two of Darden’s dual degree students, Geoff Hansen (MBA/MSDS, Class of 2022) and Lyndsay Burke (MBA/M.Ed, Class of 2022), as well as Merav Frazier, Senior Associate Director, Global Recruitment. In this wide-ranging conversation, Geoff and Lyndsay share reflections on their decision to pursue a dual degree as well as insights about their coursework and class schedules. Merav also offers tips for prospective students considering one of Darden’s dual degrees.

Experience Darden #126: Highlighting the Breakthrough Scholars Program with Professor Greg Fairchild

In this special edition of the Admissions podcast, we welcome back Darden faculty member and friend of the pod Greg Fairchild. In this wide-ranging conversation, Fairchild shares insights about one of Darden’s newest scholarship initiatives – the Breakthrough Scholars Program – a scholarship offering focused on creating new opportunities for diverse candidates to thrive in fields of asset management. Fairchild also talks about his new role as CEO and Dean for UVA’s Northern Virginia initiatives as well as a number of Darden-related DC area projects – including the DC Dean’s Fellows, his latest Executive MBA elective and more.

Experience Darden #125: Asset Management and Darden | A Conversation with Rodney Sullivan

Curious about asset management? In this episode of the podcast we catch up with Rodney Sullivan, Executive Director of the Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management. We chat with Rodney about what led him to Darden, and the incredible resources and opportunities for Darden students interested in asset management – from courses – like Darden Capital Management, to summer internship support, to conferences – like the University of Virginia Investing Conference, to alumni relationships and more. Essential listening.

Experience Darden #124: Kate Bishop - A US Marine Corps Field Artillery Officer Comes to Darden

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Kate Bishop (Class of 2022). Prior to Darden, Kate served in the United States Marine Corps, and we chat with her about her decision to pursue an MBA, what led her to Darden, how the Darden Military Association (DMA) supported her during her First Year, what she is looking forward to in her second year and more. Kate also shares insights about Building Goodness in April, Darden’s a student-run organization dedicated to keeping marginalized homeowners living in warmth, dignity and decency and to improving the facilities of local community groups.

Experience Darden #123: Special Episode | Engaging Virtually with Your Target MBA Programs

In this special episode of the podcast, members of Darden’s Admissions Committee’s and longtime friends of the podcast, Whitney Kestner, Catie Yeilding and Christian West, share tips for researching your target MBA programs. They offer insights and strategies for leveraging virtual events, social media, current students, alumni and more to learn about the people and the communities that will shape your MBA experience. With the COVID-19 pandemic shifting most Admissions events to virtual delivery for the foreseeable future, this episode is essential listening for any prospective student considering any of UVA Darden’s MBA formats.

Experience Darden #122: Mary Swan - From a Darden MBA to the West Point Classroom

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Mary Swan (Class of 2022). Mary is a second year student in the Full-Time MBA Class of 2022, and prior to Darden, she attend the United States Military Academy and served as an officer in U.S. Army. We talk with Mary about her transition to Darden, how she spent her first year summer as well as her advice for prospective students. Interestingly, after Darden graduation, Mary will be returning to West Point where she will be an instructor.

Experience Darden #121: In Conversation | BBSA President Seyi Oyenekan (Class of 2022)

In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with Oluwaseyi “Seyi” Oyenekan (Class of 2022). Originally from Nigeria, Seyi is a second year student in our Full-Time MBA program, and she is also President of UVA Darden’s Black Business Student Association. We chat with Seyi about her MBA journey, how Darden ended up on her radar, adjusting to the Darden classroom and learning through the case method and her interest in pursuing an investment banking career in Houston, Texas. 

Experience Darden #120: Pranav Dalmia - A Passion for Business Ethics

In this episode of the podcast, we chat with recent Full-Time MBA graduate Pranav Dalmia (MBA ’21). During his time at Darden, Pranav founded the Business Ethics club. We talk with him about his passion for business ethics, why he thinks Darden’s practical, hands-on orientation to business education is so impactful and how he decided to pursue a PhD after graduation.

Experience Darden #119: Senior Associate Dean Yael Grushka-Cockayne | Announcing UVA Darden’s Part-Time MBA

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we welcome back friend of the pod, Senior Associate Dean Yael Grushka-Cockayne, to talk about UVA Darden’s newest MBA format, the Part-Time MBA. We also take time to check in with Yael about her first year leading the Executive MBA program, what she’s currently researching, why she’s so passionate about project management and how she’s processing England’s recent loss to Italy in the European Championship final.

Experience Darden #118: Leading Mindfully and Building Resilience | A Conversation with Professor Lili Powell

In this special edition of the Darden Admissions podcasts, we share the sixth installment in our ongoing ‘Office Hours’ faculty spotlight series, a conversation with Professor Lili Powell. Powell is a member of the Communication faculty, and she also has a joint appointment with the UVA School of Nursing. We talk with her about her interest in mindfulness and resilience, as well as what she has learned from her work with healthcare providers. Powell also shares insights about how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped and redefined the ways we communicate with one another.

Experience Darden #117: In Conversation | Senior Director of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Christian West

Senior Director of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Christian West joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about his background, what led him to Darden, why he’s passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion and what he’s looking forward to in the months ahead. We even find time to discuss Christian’s preferred coffee orders and his status as an undefeated southern California karaoke champion.

Experience Darden #116: Jing Xu – Launching a Kombucha Venture

In this episode we continue our spotlight on student founders with an interview with Jing Xu (Class of 2022). Jing has launched a coffee kombucha venture, Cobouchy, focused on creating a fermented coffee beverage that is all-natural, sparkling, probiotic and caffeinated. We talk with Jing about her entrepreneurial journey and how the Darden community helped her get started with her business. Jing also reflects on how serving as the University Judicial Council (UJC) Vice Chair for Graduate Students and University Judiciary Representative on the Darden Student Association helped shape her first year as a Darden student.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: UVA Darden | A Step by Step Application Guide

Please join our Admissions team for these special micro-podcast episodes giving you a step by step guide to the application process. There are two ways to listen to the playlist... here, on Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2EtyMkjZzi9ErgSjrTxKEl?si=1bffd345fee549ad