UPDATE - PUSHING FORWARD WSB Responds to Pandemic Challenges P. 16
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UPDATE
Identity: Alumni of Color Share Their Perspectives P. 22
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | FALL 2020
PUSHING FORWARD
WSB Responds to Pandemic Challenges P. 16
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
As Dean Sambamurthy
demonstrates, there are
many ways to show your
Badger pride—including
wearing a face mask.
In all my years researching the digital innovative, fexible new degree delivered through 50%
economy, I could not have predicted online and 50% in-person instruction (page 13).
how a global pandemic would force reliance I look forward to welcoming students into the program
on technology in such new and unexpected ways. next year and to building upon this program to create
Sure, I had signifcant insight into how the internet and opportunity for our alumni to access courses on demand
waves of digitization disrupt and transform how we do as part of WSB’s lifelong learning platform.
business and even the way we educate students, but the I would be remiss not to share a special note of
sudden pivot to near 100% reliance on virtual platforms gratitude to the fve alumni who contributed stories
has been challenging. It has served as a wake-up call of their own professional journeys and how they have
that the future is now—this is the “new normal.” We have been shaped by their racial identity (page 22). These are
quickly learned to be innovative and transformative. Not authentic, courageous stories that can help us all broaden
only have we pivoted our teaching modes, but the entire our perspective and deepen our understanding of what
Wisconsin School of Business community has found some people of color experience in the workplace.
new ways of working, connecting, and collaborating in As we near the end of 2020, I thank all of our
these virtual times. alumni and friends for the ways you have supported
I’m thankful that WSB has been able to successfully the Wisconsin School of Business and one another
deliver courses through a hybrid model of in-person throughout a turbulent year. I am proud to be part of
and remote delivery for much of the Fall 2020 semester. this inspiring community and I am eager to continue
In true Business Badger fashion, our faculty, staf, and our partnership of innovation to enhance the impact of
students have displayed resilience in navigating this Business Badgers across the globe.
new environment and I invite you to read some of their
Photo by Paul L. Newby II
perspectives on page 16. Sincerely,
We have learned a lot from transitioning our courses
and programming to the online space, reinforcing our
belief that there are many benefts to virtual learning.
Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy
We recognized this even before the pandemic as we Albert O. Nicholas Dean
began developing the Wisconsin Professional MBA, an Wisconsin School of Business
In This Issue
02 A Diferent Approach to Update
03 What Inspires You?
04 School News
06 WSB Research: Now You Know
08 Q&A With Karen Stroud-Felton:
Pre-College Program Adjusts to
Virtual Format
10 Chad Brown’s Career With Trek
Has Been a Great Ride
08 10
13 New Professional MBA Enhances
Lifelong Learning
16-21
[COVER STORY]
Pushing Forward: WSB
Pivots During Pandemic
22-27
16 [ALUMNI PROFILES]
Identity: Perspectives From
Alumni of Color
28 Class Notes
32 [PHOTO GALLERY]
On Campus During COVID-19
Photos by Paul L. Newby II
32
Update Fall 2020 | 01
A NOTE FROM OUR TEAM
FALL 2020
DIRECTOR OF
ALUMNI RELATIONS
Taking a Diferent Approach to Update Shannon Timm (BS ’08, MBA ’19)
We are grateful to be able to bring this publication to the WSB alumni MANAGING EDITOR
community, even in the midst of the pandemic. Though it pales in Betsy Lundgren (BA ’03, MA ’05)
importance to many other factors right now, Update magazine remains a
ART DIRECTOR AND DESIGNER
meaningful point of connection.
Shaysa Sidebottom
This issue may look a bit diferent than previous issues, but there’s
good reason for it. To keep our team and sources safe, we cut back on PHOTOGRAPHER
photoshoots and travel. The original photos that we did capture were Paul L. Newby II
taken at a distance of at least six feet with our photographer wearing a
WRITERS
mask, and we shot outside whenever possible. Jane Burns
The majority of our interviews were conducted virtually, with a few Siri Pairin (BA ’15)
taking place outside in a physically distanced setup. Similarly, the
DESIGN ADVISOR
WSB publications team worked remotely, collaborating through virtual Chad Theel (BS ’99)
formats to put this magazine together.
We have covered some important topics in this issue, including WSB’s EDITORIAL ADVISORS
Kaylene Christnovich
response to the pandemic and a special feature on how racial identity
Binnu Palta Hill (BA ’97)
has afected some of our alums’ careers. Thank you for reading these Rachel Lionberg
stories and for being part of the WSB network. We wish you well in the
BRAND ADVISORS
months ahead.
Cindy Bush (BBA ’05)
Katie Schauer
–The WSB Publications Team
© 2020 Board of Regents of the
University of Wisconsin System
Update is published biannually.
All rights reserved.
PUBLISHER
Wisconsin School of Business
Grainger Hall
975 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706
go.wisc.edu/wsb-update
University of Wisconsin–Madison is an
equal opportunity
and afrmative action educator
and employer.
Cover illustration by
Shaysa Sidebottom
In what is likely a familiar scene for many readers, the WSB publications team
met frequently via Microsoft Teams to develop this issue of Update. Pictured
(clockwise from top left): Betsy Lundgren, Jane Burns, Shaysa Sidebottom,
Paul L. Newby II, Siri Pairin
02 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of Business
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
“For me, motivation comes from a desire to be the best
every single day. I’ve always been highly competitive and
love meeting new challenges with the motto, ‘Make the
best of the situation.’ I love helping people strive to be their
Photo by Paul L. Newby II
best and am inspired by their success as well.”
—JESSE THEILER (MBA ’14)
Founder and CEO, Emelar Consulting
Update Fall 2020 | 03
SCHOOL To read more, visit wsb.wisc.edu/news
NEWS
Partnership Helps Boost
Access to Finance Careers
A new WSB partnership with a New York-based frms. Access Distributed’s current industry partners
nonproft helps students from underrepresented include The Carlyle Group and TPG.
backgrounds prepare for and land jobs in the corporate “We’re excited to partner with Access Distributed to
fnance industry. Access Distributed awards one-year help people from underrepresented backgrounds break
fellowships that help students gain the technical skills and into investment banking,” says Brad Chandler, director
career planning needed to succeed. of WSB’s Nicholas Center for Corporate Finance and
The goal is for undergraduate students to perform well Investment Banking. “All people, no matter what they
in interviews, excel in internships, and receive full-time look like or where they come from, should have access
ofers. Throughout the year, students learn about fnancial to high-potential careers in fnance.”
topics, work with a mentor, and network with industry The program launched last year with six WSB
leaders and other Access Distributed fellows throughout students, an enrollment forecasted again for this
the country. The mission of Access Distributed is to build academic year.
a bridge so students can better connect with top fnancial
Hawk Center Marks
50th Anniversary
The Stephen L. Hawk Center for
Investment Analysis celebrates
50 years of providing a premier
investment education for
graduate and undergraduate
WSB students.
Since 1970, the center has
supported the Wisconsin Full-
Time MBA concentration in
the Applied Security Analysis
Program (ASAP), one of the
oldest running student managed
investment programs in the
world. More than 650 Hawk
Center alumni provide a network
as students launch their careers
in investment research and
portfolio management.
Photo by Bryce Richter
A 50th anniversary celebration,
as part of the Hawk Center Fall Fill the Hill was entirely virtual this year, but the beloved UW–Madison
Investment Conference, has been tradition was no less successful. Dean Sambamurthy announced a Flock
postponed until October 2021. Challenge, in which he pledged a $10,000 gift if 100 donors gave to the
WSB Fund. Thanks to the generosity of 144 alumni and friends, we met the
challenge and raised more than $33,400!
04 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of Business
Fall Enrollment Strong Throughout WSB
Even in a year upended by the coronavirus pandemic, WSB started
Fall 2020 with high student enrollment across its undergraduate and
graduate programs.
Graduate-level enrollment is higher than it’s ever been. The Wisconsin
Full-Time MBA Program grew to 96 students this academic year, an
increase of more than 45%. Enrollment in one-year master’s programs
totaled 219 students across six diferent degrees.
The School welcomed 1,059 new undergraduate students, an increase
of 5.5% from last year. Of this new group, 477 were admitted as current
UW–Madison students and 582 were admitted directly out of high school.
Scholarship Honors Sherry Wagner-Henry
The campus community mourns the loss of Sherry Dean Sambamurthy
Wagner-Henry, director of WSB’s Bolz Center for Serves as Consortium
Arts Administration, who passed away on May
30, 2020. Wagner-Henry was frmly committed Board Chair
to helping students build upon their business
acumen through the lens of arts and creative Dean Sambamurthy is serving
leadership. Alumnus Max Fergus (BBA ’18), founder a term as board chair for The
and CEO of LÜM, has established the Sherry Consortium for Graduate
Wagner-Henry Scholarship in the Creative Arts and Study in Management, an
Entrepreneurship to honor her legacy. alliance of leading business
schools dedicated to
enhancing diversity in business
education and corporate
leadership by providing
postgraduate opportunities for
WSB Undergraduate, Master’s Programs underrepresented minorities.
The Consortium provides
Earn High Rankings merit-based fellowships
that cover tuition and fees
for underrepresented MBA
7
WSB ranked #7 among public universities
#
candidates and those dedicated
this fall in U.S. News & World Report’s to the mission of diversity and
annual rankings of undergraduate business inclusion. WSB became one of
programs. The program ranked 16th overall. three founding members of The
Consortium in 1966 and was on
the forefront of its mission. The
School has enrolled more than
U.S. News & World Report also gave high rankings to
700 Consortium students in the
several of WSB’s undergraduate academic majors:
years since.
• Real estate: #1 public (#2 overall) “The Consortium is a
valuable partner for academic
• Risk and insurance: #2 public (#2 overall) institutions and corporations,
• Marketing: #7 public (#9 overall) helping us become better
organizations by bringing in
• Accounting: #10 public (#16 overall) diverse students and talent,”
says Sambamurthy. “It is an
• Supply chain: #15 public (#18 overall) honor to serve as board chair.”
• Management: #15 public (#26 overall) Sambamurthy’s term as
board chair runs from July 1,
• International business: #17 public (#27 overall) 2020 through June 30, 2022.
Blair Nelson Sanford, assistant
In addition, QS World University Rankings rated WSB’s dean of MBA and master’s
master’s program in business analytics as the #7 program in programs, is concurrently
the U.S. serving as vice chair.
Update Fall 2020 | 05
NOW YOU CONSUMER BEHAVIOR
KNOW Forget about the slow build
of trends, says Evan Polman,
associate professor of marketing.
There seems to be a new one
COVID-19 has changed every month—baking bread,
buying puzzles, contactless
the world, as well as our EVAN POLMAN
delivery—and so far, it hasn’t let
up. The very defnition of a trend
understanding of it. WSB faculty is a general direction in which
something changes, and it’s often gradual. Not
share their observations. anymore, though.
“Things that used to take years to become a
trend are taking two months,” Polman says.
Q: How has
Two trends in particular accelerated so much
recently that it’s likely they will become permanent:
e-commerce and digital banking. Both have been
around for a while, but the pandemic pulled in
outliers and technophobes.
the pandemic
“COVID has forced people to change their habits;
they’ve had to learn new things,” Polman says.
“Now they try online banking or shopping and
realize it’s not so bad. So they’ll continue with it.”
reshaped insights If that’s part of a much talked-about “new
normal,” many other shifts such as avoiding travel
or movie theaters are probably just temporary,
into your area
Polman says. He calls himself a “gentle critic” of the
concept of a new normal.
“I don’t think there will be a dramatic change,”
he says. “I think we will go back to traditional
of expertise? ways of how we consume but in the meantime,
we’re restricted.”
What’s fascinating, Polman says, are the ways
businesses and consumers adapt in order to cope.
“It shows how much ingenuity people have,”
he says.
06 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of Business
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AUDITING LEADERSHIP
Change is hard for anyone. In auditing, Understanding how to lead has
a current need to break from tried-and- always been important, but the
true methods because of the pandemic pandemic has made clear the
might be particularly difcult. importance of another skill:
That could inspire a nudge toward understanding how to lead in a crisis.
newer methods that some frms That has been a focus since March
have been reluctant to try, says for Alex Stajkovic, associate professor
EMILY GRIFFITH Emily Grifth, associate professor of ALEX STAJKOVIC of management and human resources
accounting and information systems. and the M. Keith Weikel Distinguished
The pandemic has stifed auditors’ ability to build Chair in Leadership.
relationships and meet clients in person, which coincides “People want to know how we get out of this,”
with a push by the industry to increase the use of Stajkovic says. “When we learn who is efective in a crisis,
data, data analytics, and artifcial intelligence. New the better we can handle the crisis.”
approaches would rely more on publicly available data Stajkovic found that women governors shone during
and complex fscal analyses instead of a company’s the frst months of the pandemic. Using public data and
records and receipts to verify its fnances. controlling for other factors, Stajkovic and co-author
“Typically auditors have worked backward, in an Kayla Sergent (PhD ’18) discovered that the states in the
evidence-gathering way,” Grifth says. “But there are U.S. with women governors had fewer COVID-19 deaths
many ways to do an audit.” than those led by men.
With many ofces closed and no visitors allowed, the The research credits two factors for successful
profession has had to adapt. leadership of women governors: empathy and
“External auditors spend a lot of time talking to confdence, particularly together. By analyzing governors’
personnel gathering records and other evidence,” words during press briefngs, Stajkovic and Sergent
Grifth says. “If you’re not on site and your client isn’t on found that messages of empathy and confdence—such
site, they can’t give you documents you’re asking for.” as “we can get through this”—coincided with voluntary
Auditors have stuck with traditional methods for a compliance with stay-at-home orders.
reason, Grifth says. Auditing is heavily regulated and What’s important to note, Stajkovic says, is that
many audits are inspected by the Public Company confdence and empathy are learned or socialized traits,
Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). not genetic ones. That means organizations can create
“If you’ve been inspected and everything was OK with training programs to develop them in any leader and
the PCAOB, you have a system that works and want to can establish a culture of inclusion where those traits
keep doing it that way,” she says. “Maybe a silver lining are valued.
of the horrible pandemic is that more auditors might be “Confdence with empathy can contribute to a brighter
in favor of trying some new approaches.” future,” he says. “Leaders don’t have all the answers, but
they can inspire us so that as a society, we can get out of
a crisis.” •
Want more business insights you can trust? Read the latest research at go.wisc.edu/WSBresearch
Update Fall 2020 | 07
Powering Up
Karen Stroud-Felton fnds silver linings in shifting WSB’s
pre-college program online
PHOTO BY PAUL L. NEWBY II
P
re-college scholars in WSB’s their classes synchronously online. “While we’re
Business Emerging Leaders When we decided that we were
(BEL) Program didn’t going to go online, we conducted a continuing to
receive the same on-campus technology audit. We were able to manage the impacts
experience that they typically would provide laptops and internet hotspots
this year, but the shift to virtual to students who needed them. We of COVID-19, we
delivery brought many positive didn’t want technology to be a barrier will maximize
outcomes all the same. Karen to full participation for any student.
Stroud-Felton, director of student Students were disappointed that technology while
success and pre-college programs, they wouldn’t get to spend time on still giving students
believes there is much to learn and campus, but they were really excited
celebrate from this pivot. that the program continued. a very strong, high-
The BEL Program, which began touch experience. ”
in 2017, is a donor-funded initiative WSB: The community-building
that helps prepare top-performing aspect of this program is huge. How
high school students from diverse was that nurtured online instead of —KAREN STROUD-FELTON
and underrepresented backgrounds in person? DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SUCCESS
AND PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS
for a college education and a future KSF: BEL alums who are now WSB
career in business. The program undergraduate students helped build
typically brings students to campus community with the BEL cohort by
every summer for three years, doing online activities—scavenger
beginning the summer after 10th hunts, watching movies, playing
grade. Students who are admitted to games. They are very fuent in the
UW–Madison and major in business language of being online and fnding
are granted a full-tuition scholarship ways to connect, so they provided
for four years of attendance. opportunities for students to engage
Participation in BEL gives students outside the academic arena.
a distinct competitive advantage
when adjusting to college life, WSB: Were there any silver linings?
learning in classes, and applying for KSF: The shift to virtual has allowed
internship opportunities. us to enhance our communication
touchpoints with pre-college scholars
WSB: Typically BEL students are during the academic year. We used
in residence on campus during to rely on phone call check-ins, but
the summer. How did the program what we’ve learned in terms of using
respond to the shift to a virtual technology for virtual engagement
environment? will mean that we can have even
Karen Stroud-Felton: The 72 stronger connections with them
participating scholars took all of when they’re not on campus with us.
08 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of BusinessWSB: Three cohorts of BEL students WSB: What does the future of BEL
have matriculated at WSB. What look like in the context of
has their experience taught you? the pandemic?
KSF: With each cohort, we’re KSF: While we’re continuing to
learning diferent questions to manage the impacts of COVID-19,
ask and we’re fnding diferent we will maximize technology while
opportunities to support them. still giving students a very strong,
With the frst cohort, we gained high-touch experience. We’re
understanding of how to best exploring ways to ofer resources like
support students through presentations, leadership conferences,
high school and successful and mentoring in a virtual way.
admission to the university. We’re also fnding ways to make sure
With the second cohort, students know that they’re not alone,
we started to think about which becomes even more important
what is needed in terms when we can’t be physically in each
of supporting students other’s presence.
to be broadly engaged in
the School. The question WSB: Aside from delivery mode,
for us now is around what’s next for the BEL Program?
supporting their future KSF: We are focused on making sure
success. We want to help that this isn’t just a standalone pre-
them think about what college program, but that it is a frst
their four-year trajectory step on the path to a successful and
can and should look like. meaningful college experience and
We are exploring how to career launch. And we want to deliver
engage with other units that kind of experience to as many
within the undergraduate students as we can.
program and the School,
like study abroad, career WSB: Are there other pre-college
coaching, and academic programs in the pipeline?
advising to help students KSF: We are working on an
reach their potential. entrepreneurship camp for middle
school students this coming year,
drawing on work that had previously
been done in the Small Business
Development Center. We are also
actively exploring opportunities
to engage young women leaders,
helping them step into their greatness
and become the next generation of
leaders who will change the world. •
Interview conducted and edited
by Siri Pairin
Update Fall 2020 | 09Building His Own Trail
Bike fanatic Chad Brown had a lifelong dream to work at Trek.
Now he’s the company’s CFO STORIES BY JANE BURNS | PHOTOS BY PAUL L. NEWBY II
M
any people can say their career has been a college working at a bike shop. Now at a global
great ride. For Chad Brown (BBA ’01) that’s company that wants to get people on bikes as much
not a metaphor, that’s his reality. as it wants to sell them, Brown is eager to bring others
Brown is chief fnancial ofcer at Trek along for the ride.
Bicycles in Waterloo, Wisconsin. It’s more than a job “I love that my professional and personal passions
for Brown, who owns bicycles of all kinds and styles, meld,” he says. “For me, the Venn diagram is a circle.”
rides for fun and for sport, and earned his way through At Trek, Brown oversees the company’s fnances and
10 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of Businessworldwide and professional racing
teams that compete at the highest
levels of the sport. Brown races,
too, and won an age-division
state title in cyclocross—part road
cycling, part mountain biking, part
obstacle course.
When the COVID-19 pandemic
forced lockdowns, Trek became
something else: an essential
business in an industry that saw
unexpected explosive growth.
People needed to get around and
they wanted to get out of the house
for safe activities, and that put
into practice the company’s stated
mission of fnding simple solutions
for complex problems.
First kids’ bikes few out of the
stores, followed by lower-cost adult
bikes. Then, just about anything
with two wheels.
“In a million years, I never would
have thought in March, when the
pandemic started, that it would lead
to a boom in the bicycle business,”
he says. “The important thing is
there are all these new people on
bikes. How many kids got their
frst real bike in the pandemic? In
the past a parent might have been
debating whether to give them an
Chad Brown earned his iPhone or a PlayStation and now
way through college by they’re giving them bikes.”
working at a bike shop
and is now in his dream
That brings Brown joy, and takes
role at Trek Bicycles. him back to his early enthusiasm for
bikes. The Cedarburg, Wisconsin,
native caught the cycling bug
during the mountain biking craze
its retail division. While his job is of the 1990s and got a job at 16 in
numbers, he also gets a hands-on a local bike shop. He loved bikes
opportunity to be in the bike shops
“In the past a parent but also was interested in business.
to ensure the retail operation is on might have been In his junior year at WSB, a career
track, too. advisor asked him what his dream
debating whether to job was.
“If you don’t run a good business,
you don’t get to do the cool things,” give [kids] an iPhone “I said, ‘I’d like to work at Trek
he says. or a PlayStation and one day,’” he says. “Even 20-some
Trek is a Wisconsin success story. years ago I knew.”
The company launched in 1976 in a now they’re giving It would take a while for that
red barn in a small town between them bikes.” dream to come true. An internship
Madison and Milwaukee. At the at GE Healthcare turned into a
—CHAD BROWN (BBA ’01) full-time job as a fnancial analyst.
time it flled a need for higher-end
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER,
U.S.-made bicycles in a market In 2002, he was temporarily
TREK BICYCLES
that Europe dominated. Now it is a transferred from his Milwaukee-area
global brand with 3,000 employees Continued on page 12
Update Fall 2020 | 11Continued from page 11
ofce to Madison to work on an
acquisition. While there, he decided
to train for the city’s Ironman
triathlon. Trek’s vice president of
human resources, Mark Joslyn, was
part of Brown’s training group,
and while they were on a 120-mile
bike ride Brown mentioned he’d
love to work for the company one
day. In the meantime, he continued
Morgan Ramaker his career at GE Healthcare until
(left) and Brian a call came from Joslyn in 2010.
Conger work to Trek was restructuring its fnance
build and market department, and there was an
BCycle, a public
bike-sharing opportunity if Brown wanted to
company with 36 pursue it.
U.S. locations. “I said, ‘I’ve been waiting for your
call for six years,’” Brown says. “I
didn’t even hesitate. You could
Popular Bike-Share Program Has name any other company and I’d
have said, ‘No, I’m good.’ But Trek?
WSB Connection I absolutely wanted to have that
conversation.”
It’s not just about the bikes,
A shared experience at the
Wisconsin School of Business
e-bike before,” Conger says. “If
we can give someone the e-bike Brown says. Trek’s emphasis on
now means more opportunity for experience for just $5, that’s going teamwork invigorates him, and it’s a
people to share bicycles all across to change their mindset of how skill he honed at WSB.
the U.S. they can get around on a bicycle in “When I think about my time at
Two WSB alumni lead BCycle, their city in general.” the School of Business and all those
a public bike-sharing company Conger has built his career
group projects, you had to work
owned by Trek Bicycles with 36 around bicycles and community. He
locations throughout the country. worked for the Bicycle Federation
in teams and you had to learn to
Morgan Ramaker (BA ’06, MBA ’17) is of Wisconsin before joining BCycle come to a consensus because at
executive director and Brian Conger to manage its Madison launch in some point the project was due,” he
(BA ’08, MBA ’17) is director of sales 2011. He pursued an MBA to gain says. “Then I come to a company
and customer service of the short- general business knowledge and like Trek and realize you don’t get
term bicycle rental program. Ramaker met Ramaker, who was at WSB anything done without a team.”
and Conger were members of the pursuing an MBA and working He sees other parallels between
same Wisconsin Evening MBA cohort. as the School’s senior associate his education and his work. Trek’s
“We’re working in a private director of alumni relations. The
mission of getting people on bikes
business but we have that job of managing Madison’s BCycle
entrepreneurial spirit of a startup, program opened as Ramaker aims to tackle problems such
and it’s so entrenched in the pursued her MBA, and she and as obesity, climate change, and
community,” Ramaker says. “By Conger became colleagues as transportation. Its foray into racing
working with local city ofcials and well as classmates. Both now have set precedent with equal prize
nonprofts, it’s a unique combination national roles with BCycle. money for women.
of private and public sectors When the pandemic began, “I see all the good things that the
working together.” BCycle frst experienced a lull University of Wisconsin has done
With BCycle, riders can use a bike until people realized a bike share
for the world and I can come to
for a commute, to run an errand, or could help them get around in a
just a bit of exercise. Kiosks are set safe, physically distanced way and Trek and try to do the same thing,”
up throughout a city, so a rider can also avoid a bus or train commute. he says. “I’ve never felt that I’m just
leave from one spot and return it to Conger and Ramaker hope that here for a paycheck.
another. BCycle launched in Denver enthusiasm for a biking option “I have to pinch myself that I get
in 2010 and while it has grown since, becomes permanent. to do this every day. There’s no
two recent factors have sparked “We’re just excited about the better feeling.” •
even greater interest: electric bikes long-term possibilities for this
and COVID-19. Madison was the frst as people think about how they
city to move its feet to e-bikes and move in their cities,” Ramaker says.
BCycle use more than doubled even “We’re looking at how we can keep
before the pandemic struck. that momentum going.” •
“Most people haven’t been on an
12 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of BusinessA Pathway for
Lifelong Learning
WSB’s fexible new professional MBA is built around customer demand and
ofers frst-of-its-kind opportunity for both students and alumni
BY BETSY LUNDGREN | PHOTOS BY PAUL L. NEWBY II
T
ake any introductory business class and you’re It’s part of WSB’s commitment to advancing a market-
pretty much guaranteed a few lessons on responsive, on-demand graduate portfolio that meets the
understanding the customer perspective. lifelong learning needs of the Business Badger community.
It’s the foundation of business success.
It’s also the foundation of the Wisconsin School of Designed to meet the needs of students
Business’ new professional MBA—a fexible, part-time The new professional MBA redesigns the School’s
graduate degree delivered in a blended format around a existing evening MBA, ofering fexibility for working
system of customizable badges. professionals through a hybrid delivery of instruction.
“We recognized that today’s prospective students Students will participate in up to 50% of class content
have diferent needs and wants than they had before,” online with monthly face-to-face meetings on the
says Enno Siemsen, associate dean of MBA and master’s weekend. The program can be completed in as little as
programs. “So we reimagined the traditional MBA to two years or as long as fve years.
deliver the fexibility that our target audience wants while The current structure of the evening MBA requires
maintaining the School’s globally recognized strengths in-person classes two evenings per week and takes three
and commitment to quality.” years for completion—a challenging expectation that
Continued on page 14
Update Fall 2020 | 13Fabio Gaertner flms
a course for online
delivery using a
lightboard and video
software that fips the
feed so students can
view what he’s written
as he teaches.
poses a substantial barrier for many further afeld in Wisconsin or the focus on topics such as innovation,
potential students. Chicago area.” analytics, health care, marketing,
“Early- and mid-career The shift in delivery is based on manufacturing, corporate
professionals have signifcant multiple research studies, including fnance, social responsibility,
demands on their time, both in benchmarking against peer and international business. By
their personal and professional institutions and gathering insights structuring the program around
lives,” says Siemsen. “By delivering and feedback from stakeholder modules that can be easily
half of our content online, we are groups such as current and added, resequenced, or removed,
giving students the fexibility they prospective students, alumni, the program allows for greater
need to advance in their careers, and employers. customization and overall scale.
lead a meaningful personal life, and “In unbundling the program
enhance their education.” Alumni to beneft from through this badge system, the
This fexibility certainly would lifelong learning Wisconsin School of Business is
have benefted Aaron Cassel (MBA The hallmark of WSB’s professional ofering an innovative, frst-of-its-
’19), an evening MBA graduate who MBA is a new certifcation known kind approach,” says Siemsen. “Not
moved from Madison to Milwaukee as badges—an innovative curricular only are we providing students
after his frst year in the program approach that addresses a with the opportunity to tailor
to relocate with Associated Bank, professional need for on-demand their experience, but we can also
where he now serves as vice learning specifc to a particular provide custom content to alumni,
president for credit risk review. competency. Badges ofer a new corporations, and campus partners.”
“While WSB did an outstanding form of credential beyond the The School plans to eventually
job supporting students commuting traditional degree, as they are make the badges accessible to
from the Milwaukee area, having rigorous enough to be publicly professionals not enrolled in
less need for on-campus sessions understood as a standalone degree programs, establishing
would have made the transition certifcation. When several badges a platform for lifelong learning
process still easier,” says Cassel. “It are taken together, they form a that addresses the needs of the
also would have potentially opened pathway to a degree. changing workplace.
the viable geographic range even Each badge will be a set of “We are excited about the
further, supporting commuters from three 2-credit courses and will opportunity to make these badges
14 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of Businesswidely available,” adds Siemsen.
“We want to serve our students
and alumni throughout the arc
of their careers, which for many
professionals means learning new
skills as they progress. The badges
respond to that need.”
Faculty will be able to create
new badge courses in response
to industry demand, fostering a
practice of continual innovation
and agility that will add real value
to professionals who need to
quickly upskill and communicate
competency in specifc arenas.
“As an alum, I am excited about
the potential for the badges,” says Enno Siemsen led the design of the professional MBA, collaborating with
Cassel. “I’ve always believed in many stakeholders to develop a market-responsive, fexible program.
being a lifelong learner, and the
badges would give me the ability to
augment the education I received a class online and then think about and enhanced by the time students
in my MBA, while staying an active the best way to present the material spend with each other and with
member of the WSB community.” to students as opposed to just faculty on campus.”
trying to ft what I did before into an Students will take all in-person
Blended delivery enhances online context.” classes together as a cohort during
program strengths Gaertner is flming some of his the frst year, creating ample
With signifcant demand for lecture material with a professional opportunity to develop a deep
fexible, part-time graduate recording company, enabling him to network. In addition to classes on
programs and a growing interest provide high-quality, asynchronous Saturday and Sunday, students will
in virtual options—even before the instruction that students can also beneft from extracurricular
onset of the COVID-19 pandemic— consume at their own pace. programming on Fridays.
the evolution toward hybrid This type of robust virtual learning
delivery positions WSB to make will be complemented by in-person Accelerated options for
signifcant investments in quality classes, acknowledging that some WSB graduates
online learning. learning is best suited for face-to- Not all students will enter the
Every course will go through a face interaction. The signifcant professional MBA program with the
thorough design process to identify relationship-building that occurs same educational background. The
what content and activities are best in an in-person environment has modular structure of the program
suited for online learning versus long been a hallmark of WSB’s will allow WSB to accommodate this
face-to-face instruction. programs and will remain so with diversity among its student body.
“I had to start from scratch in a the professional MBA. Those students who have already
lot of ways and rethink everything “It is critical that students build received extensive training will
that I do,” says Fabio Gaertner, meaningful and long-lasting be accelerated into the program,
associate professor of accounting relationships with their classmates reducing the total number of credits
and information systems, who will and instructors,” says Siemsen. “The required for completion. WSB’s own
teach fnancial reporting in the program is specifcally designed to undergraduate alumni, for example,
professional MBA program. “I had to create a strong cohort experience can complete the program in less
imagine what it would be like to take where online learning is reinforced time and at a reduced price.
The Wisconsin Professional MBA
will enroll its frst class in Fall 2021,
“I’ve always believed in being a lifelong with applications for admission
learner, and the badges would give me already open.
“I look forward to welcoming
the ability to augment the education I students into this new program,”
received in my MBA, while staying an adds Gaertner. “I really like how
it’s structured. It’s more accessible.
active member of the WSB community.” It takes less time. It’s more agile.
There’s a lot about the program to
—AARON CASSEL (MBA ’19)
be excited about.” •
VICE PRESIDENT, CREDIT RISK REVIEW
ASSOCIATED BANK
Update Fall 2020 | 15PUSHING
FORWARD
WSB Pivots During Pandemic
BY JANE BURNS | PHOTOS BY PAUL L. NEWBY II | ILLUSTRATIONS BY SHAYSA SIDEBOTTOM
I
t’s the quiet that catches your attention most It was a busy summer at WSB. Facilities staf
at Grainger Hall these days. There are footsteps prepared Grainger Hall for the return of students in
here and there, a door opening now and again, ways that promoted physical distancing and safety.
and students sitting alone with their studies Instructors took part in professional development to
instead of an ocean of them moving through learn to teach online. Courses were redesigned and
the halls at the same time. choices made about which to teach remotely versus
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought major changes in-person according to UW–Madison’s model for
to the Wisconsin School of Business. While students hybrid instruction.
and staf settled into somewhat of a routine as the Fall The university’s Smart Restart plan for the
2020 semester wore on, none of it has been ordinary. fall limited attendance with mandatory physical
Students left for spring break in March and didn’t distancing for in-person classes and moved other
return for in-person activities until the fall semester classes online. Students living on campus are tested
began on September 2. In between, WSB faculty and for COVID-19 weekly, with free testing on campus
staf, along with many campus colleagues, worked for other students and staf. Masks are required at
to ensure the best learning experiences for students Grainger Hall and all public spaces on campus. After
delivered as safely as possible. Thanksgiving, in-person instruction ended and moved
“I’m impressed, but not surprised, by the resilience to virtual so students won’t need to return to campus
of our community during this challenging time,” says until January.
Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy, Albert O. Nicholas The pandemic has impacted every part of WSB.
Dean. “We have found new ways to learn, work, and Following are the stories of how some Business
collaborate that are efective now and will enhance Badgers have adapted during these challenging times.
business education in the future.”
16 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of BusinessSenior fnance lecturer
Mark Laplante records
online lectures from a
makeshift studio in his
Grainger Hall ofce.
Instructors put quality frst, whether teaching in-person or online
It’s not quite a job shift, but time using recorded lectures and Laplante says he has provided
changes on campus this fall have resources provided online. The the fnance class lectures and
turned Mark Laplante into a video fnance class ofers small in-person study materials online for three
producer as well as an instructor. discussion groups in keeping with years, inspired by a student who
Since spring, the WSB senior the university’s hybrid model of missed two weeks because of a
fnance lecturer has spent time in delivery this year. death in the family.
his Grainger Hall ofce recording Laplante’s business for “There are always students who
new lectures and editing old ones, nonbusiness majors class has been miss class for a good reason,”
ensuring they work in the blended online for six years, making him he says.
learning environment students and a WSB pioneer in navigating the As an early adopter of online
faculty are in right now. He built a virtual environment. instruction, Laplante had
wooden frame for his ofce and “There are a lot of technological experience in another tool some
covered it with blankets to deaden steps to pulling of even a simple faculty are using this semester—
the sound. He put up a background online course,” he says. remote exam proctoring, which
and even bought a teleprompter. Beyond technology, Laplante he believes serves as an efective
“If you walked into my ofce had to change how he approaches deterrent against cheating. He
now,” he says, “it’s just a studio.” his lectures. had a bumpy ride in the early
It’s all part of his commitment “In my in-person fnance class, years of the software, but says the
to improving the quality of his I punctuate a lot of course third-party service has improved.
online lectures. For the Fall 2020 concepts and material with Artifcial intelligence (AI) monitors
semester, Laplante is teaching stories. In person, students can computer activity of the students,
two courses: three sections of see my expressions, there’s whose computer microphones
a fnance class that has 600 interaction, and they really and cameras are on, too. AI will
undergraduate students and a like the stories,” Laplante says. fag any suspicious activity, then
business for nonbusiness majors “That doesn’t work in an online Laplante can see what is going on.
course that has 200 students. environment. Online, students just At least one pandemic pivot has
Both are asynchronous classes, want you to cut to the chase and proved so efective Laplante plans
where students learn on their own get on with the material.” to keep it even after the pandemic
passes: online ofce hours. They
“There are a lot of technological steps to provide fexibility for students
who can’t be in Grainger Hall at an
pulling of even a simple online course.” appointed time.
“That’s been a pleasant
—MARK LAPLANTE surprise,” he says.
SENIOR FINANCE LECTURER
Continued on page 18
Update Fall 2020 | 17Students make the most of an atypical
college experience
When Claire Liu (BBA ’22) packed her bags for spring provide, as they allow her to spend more time home
break last March, she packed so much her roommates in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and how having classes that
wondered what she was doing. aren’t in real time helps her juggle her studies and her
“I said I thought we were going online and we extracurricular activities. Her classes are a blend of
wouldn’t be coming back,” Liu says. those in real time and those she can complete on her
That prediction proved right, and the months that own time.
followed have turned into a challenge of fortitude
and stamina for students. For Liu, a triple major in
actuarial science, risk management and insurance, and
“I just miss social interaction.
statistics, even the best-laid plans turned complicated. I miss talking to people one
Liu anticipated a busy fall semester with classes,
actuarial exam preparation, Actuarial Club ofcer
on one. I miss small talk with
responsibilities, and internship applications. Because people you don’t normally talk
of that, she took “only” 12 credits of all remote classes.
“For my business communication class,
to very much.”
normally you’d give peer feedback in —CLAIRE LIU (BBA ’22)
person. Now you have to type out all your
comments and it’s just more work,” she
says. “I thought I was going to have an “My day is theoretically pretty free,” she says.
easier semester by taking 12 credits, but it Still, there is something she very much misses with
feels like 15.” the current situation—human connection.
Liu hedged her bets when it came time to “I just miss social interaction,” she says. “I talk
apply for internships, and applied for several. with my friends on FaceTime and I’m not leaving my
She will intern at Travelers Insurance in Hartford, apartment much. I miss talking to people one on one.
Connecticut, next summer. I miss small talk with people you don’t normally talk to
“Some of my friends in other majors have been very much.”
struggling to fnd an internship for next summer,” she Liu acknowledges that her semester is not the ideal
says. “So I’m grateful there haven’t been too many college experience, but also knows she is acquiring skills
changes in the recruiting process for actuarial science well beyond those she learns in a virtual classroom.
majors besides everything being virtual.” “In the workplace, there are always a lot of changes,
Liu says she’s comfortable with virtual classes, and even without COVID,” she says. “It’s good we’re
feels safer in her apartment than on campus because adapting to these things now at a younger age,
she’s uncertain what precautions other students are because these are life skills.”
taking. She likes the fexibility asynchronous classes
18 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of BusinessCareer advisors help job-seekers navigate the new reality
The addition of one parenthetical word sums up remain similar, with a few tweaks. Individual coaching
every shift WSB career advising staf has had to on topics such as networking or résumés continues,
make this year. It was in the name of a webinar this virtually, with added strategies for job candidates to
fall for the Wisconsin Evening and Executive MBA learn how the pandemic has impacted organizations
programs: “How to (Virtually) Network Efectively.” they want to join.
This would have been an in-person, interactive event “You need to get a sense of what you’re moving
in 2019. But in 2020? Not so much. into,” Sink says.
“We haven’t hosted events in the traditional face- Virtual career advising and coaching has helped
to-face format,” says Jean Sink, director of career broaden the reach of Sink and her team. What was
management and corporate partnerships for the once primarily an on-campus service to students is
Wisconsin Evening, Executive, and Professional now more accessible to alumni, some for free and
MBA programs. some for a nominal fee. WSB career advising has also
Yet career advising continues to connect students become a resource for alumni who lost jobs during
to employers and build on the skills that will help the pandemic and are looking for another.
them land an internal promotion or support their pivot “It’s been nice to include and expand our
into a diferent industry or role. One-day, in-person programming reach in ways we might not have
workshops became three webinars. Career topics otherwise done,” Sink says. “There are silver linings.”
Facilities staff keeps Grainger Hall
safe for students and employees
20+
Hand sanitizing stations in and
outside Grainger Hall
61
Tim Bent Jr. (left), director of facilities and event services, and Josh
Crom, facilities manager, reconfgured rooms across Grainger Hall to
ensure safety and physical distancing.
Capacity of largest current
Grainger Hall classroom (Room 1310,
“We’ve had to signifcantly modify our daily regular capacity of 265)
operations while continuing to support the
academic mission of the School. Our adjusted
routine is beginning to feel more comfortable, but
16
Dedicated custodial staf who
we are looking forward to resuming our normal regularly clean and disinfect
Grainger Hall’s public spaces
operation when given the opportunity.”
Facilities staf have been busy
—TIM BENT JR. beyond cleaning and reconfguring
DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES AND EVENT SERVICES spaces. They have also created
signage to raise awareness of rules
and enforce compliance.
Continued on page 20
Update Fall 2020 | 19Global opportunities
go remote with
internships that
replace study abroad
Although study abroad
programs are canceled for
the 2020-21 academic year,
Without in-person studies, faculty international experience is
still possible through remote
tweak their academic research global internships this spring
and summer. Undergraduate
business students can gain
Experimental researchers like “It’s still doable, it just takes more
global professional skills with
control. They want to make sure thinking about how to get around
organizations based in fve
research environments are free not having people work in person.”
international cities. Students are
of distractions, that subjects can Thomas redesigned his research
placed in internships based on
concentrate on assigned tasks and moved it online. Without lab
their skills and interests and will
and ignore the outside world. In access, he tapped into another
work remotely 20 hours each
other words, they prefer to work resource: WSB alumni. He
week, in addition to completing
in a steady environment that is reached out to a list of people
a 3-credit internship course.
the exact opposite of 2020. he had used on a past research
The internships allow students
Tyler Thomas, assistant project. Alumni subjects flled out
to acquire experience in their
professor of accounting and surveys in the “manager role,”
feld from a global perspective
information systems, traditionally likely not a theoretical scenario
as well as exposure to diverse
uses the campus BRITE Lab for for many. To gather “worker”
cultures and practices. It’s
his management accounting data, Thomas used a third-party
also a chance to learn from
research. The in-person lab, which service—Amazon Mechanical Turk,
international professionals and
pays students to participate in or MTurk, which facilitates data
build a worldwide network—all
studies, relies on interaction and collection through paid surveys.
while staying on campus.
role-playing to provide data. Because Thomas or lab staf
The global internship is another
COVID-19 restrictions shut down can’t observe what’s going on, he
example of a COVID-19 response
the lab, so Thomas had to rethink works questions into the survey
that will continue to bring value
his research. that would make it obvious
after the pandemic ends.
Business research often someone isn’t paying attention
“We plan to keep it in our
involves human interaction. In and is just clicking through
program portfolio,” says
Thomas’ research about goals and the survey.
Joseph Halaas (MFS ’09),
incentives, BRITE Lab students Fortunately for Thomas, the
WSB’s director of international
can serve as “managers” who pandemic’s timing didn’t upend all
programs. “It is a great way for
make a decision and “workers” of his work. While he is analyzing
students to grow professionally
who respond to these decisions. data from the redesigned spring
and develop skills for working
It would be straightforward in study, he had already planned to
in a global context—even if that
person, but it is a challenge when spend the fall semester preparing
work is done remotely.”
the interaction is not in person. future research projects.
“With the pandemic, we have to “We are going to have to attack
be creative and fexible in how we this much diferently now,” he says.
put together studies,” Thomas says.
“With the pandemic, we have to be creative and
fexible in how we put together studies. It’s still
doable, it just takes more thinking about how to
get around not having people work in person.”
—TYLER THOMAS
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ACCOUNTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
20 | UW–Madison Wisconsin School of BusinessEven remotely, academic advisors
are ready to guide students
Maybe, just maybe, when the diferent kinds of classes meeting
weather is really awful in February, at diferent times. We’re helping
students will reach out for the them navigate that.”
academic advising they tend to Students have adapted well to
shrug of at that time of year virtual meetings with advisors, “Students are
because they don’t want to leave Wypiszynski says. Their quick
home. Now, because of shifts move to online learning in the learning to adjust
made due to the pandemic, they spring semester makes virtual to diferent kinds
have options. work almost routine now, she says,
“We’ll be here in a virtual platform and many students improved their
of classes meeting
so it will be interesting to see what virtual fuency through remote at diferent times.
happens,” says academic advisor summer internships.
Lauren Wypiszynski (BA ’12). The virtual option also helps
We’re helping them
Wypiszynski is one of 11 advising staf work with students navigate that.”
undergraduate academic advisors who aren’t on campus this fall,
who have worked virtually since including international students. —LAUREN WYPISZYNSKI
March, talking with students Advising staf had worked remotely UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC
face-to-face on virtual platforms with students studying abroad or ADVISOR
like Microsoft Teams. Academic away from campus in the past,
advisors help with a range of primarily using Skype or the
student needs including schedules, phone. While advising staf is still
major planning, or academics. considering what changes will
Time management has become a remain when students return fully to
common topic this fall, too. campus, virtual advising is a likely
“That’s a new theme because candidate to become permanent.
of the mix of in-person courses, “We’re proud of the work
virtual courses, and hybrid we’ve done and students have
courses,” Wypiszynski says. appreciated it,” Wypiszynski says.
“Students are learning to adjust to
Alumni resources build connections from anywhere
In a typical year, WSB would host in-person alumni events like the
Homecoming Bash and networking events in cities across the country.
But this year, of course, virtual events replaced those. WSB now ofers
new resources and opportunities for alumni to learn, build community,
and enhance their careers—from wherever they might be.
WSB Career Resources are available to alumni as they navigate a changing
professional landscape. mycareer.wsb.wisc.edu/alumni
Webinars cover a range of topics relevant to today’s workplace.
go.wisc.edu/wsb-webinars
Badger Executive Talks is a new virtual speaking series featuring accomplished
alumni from the UW–Madison community. go.wisc.edu/bet
Virtual Networking opportunities are a chance to connect with fellow Business
Badgers from around the globe right from your home.
go.wisc.edu/wsb-alumni-events
Update Fall 2020 | 21You can also read
