Last month, Joan Phillips-Hernandez, dean of the NIU College of Business, and Bennett Piscopo, director of operations, graduate programs and global initiatives, traveled to Bogotá, Colombia. There, the dean launched our seventh cohort teaching marketing management to our new NIU Executive MBA students.
Currently, 25 students are enrolled in the Colombia program, with over 200 alumni having graduated from the program since its inception in 2014.
“It was truly special to connect with members of our community in such a vibrant city — what a meaningful reminder of how far-reaching and diverse our college family truly is,” Phillips-Hernandez said. “I also had the pleasure of meeting, again, with the business dean at Sergio Arboleda University, Prime Business School, and we connected over how outstanding this cohort is.”
During her visit, Phillips-Hernandez introduced different marketing topics and simulation exercises to help students understand key concepts. She invited open discussion and debate in class, helping students to feel invested in the content.
The current classes of Bogotá students include senior corporate leaders, professionals, academics, and Colombian athletes and Olympians.
Antonio Alonso-Gonzalez, Ph.D. works as dean of the economics and business sciences faculty at El Bosque University in Colombia and is enrolled in the NIU EMBA program. He noted that the NIU MBA program has allowed him to enrich his professional development.
“The core mindsets of this EMBA program are exceptionally aligned with my more academic background, making this combination highly beneficial for an academic-business environment,” he said.
Natali Benítez is a civil engineer who joined the program to improve her business leadership skills.
“So far, I’ve taken the finance and marketing classes, and I’ve never learned so much in previous finance and marketing classes in other master’s programs,” said student Natali Benítez. “I really appreciate that they take into account the diverse backgrounds of the MBA students. For example, as a civil engineer with no prior training in finance or marketing, the professors have managed to make the content perfectly understandable and applicable. Their approach has been incredibly effective in helping me grasp and apply the material.”
Carlos Ramírez, a two-time Olympic medalist in bicycle motocross (BMX) racing, aspires to qualify for the 2028 Olympics. He expects to retire from the sport after the games end, and he joined our NIU program in Colombia because he is preparing for life after racing.
“Being able to prepare myself in this MBA program will help me transition eventually into the business world,” he said. “Not many athletes have the opportunity to prepare themselves this way, so I’m thrilled to be a part of NIU and appreciate this amazing experience.”
To learn more about NIU’s Executive MBA program, go to go.niu.edu/emba
Our NIU EMBA program is now accepting applications for fall 2025. Prove your potential and apply for our EMBA program today.
