Broad College welcomes newest cohort of 2026 Executive MBA students

Since 1964, the Broad College’s Executive MBA program has prepared more than 5,000 business leaders across industries to transform their high potential into high performance. On Aug. 2–3, the newest cohort of EMBA students began their journey as Broad Spartans at the program’s orientation.

“It’s awesome to see so many bright, talented individuals coming together and committing to the Executive MBA experience,  Cheri DeClercq, assistant dean of graduate programs and strategic partnerships, said while kicking off the event. “We are thrilled with the quality and diversity of this group and look forward to seeing all that they achieve during and after the program.”

“The commitment these individuals have made to furthering their education while balancing demanding careers speaks volumes about their dedication to personal and professional development,” Sarah Ellis, assistant director for MBA programs, said of the event. “This level of ambition and discipline will set them apart as leaders. I can’t wait to see what amazing things this group will accomplish in the next 20 months and beyond.”

Broad’s EMBA program is designed for working professionals who want to pursue a higher education degree and advance their career. The 20-month program takes a weekend format and is offered in three locations: East Lansing, Troy and Flex — a hybrid in-person/online option launched in 2020 that has opened up pathways for women especially to earn a graduate degree.

Across each program format, the focus is on building winning teams. To that end, students are placed on teams as soon as orientation begins, and these teams will last the length of their EMBA experience. Throughout the two-day orientation, students practiced sharing positive and constructive feedback with their peers through various exercises, boosting communication and active listening skills, many of which were facilitated by leadership and consulting firm Humanergy.

“It is always wonderful to kick off this program. On day 1, we tell teams of dynamic go-getters that more than 40% of their grade over the next 21 months is dependent on the four or five folks at their table — and by the afternoon of day 2, they are very comfortable with the idea,” David Wheatley, principal at Humanergy, said.

“Many teams skip what we call the set-up phase,” he added. “The EMBA folks recognize the value of this step and have built it into the program to maximize the chances of team success — and for many of the students, this means lifelong friendships as well as a wonderful learning experience.”

Students got to know one another and the program through group activities, networking opportunities, a scavenger hunt and an alumni panel in which recent EMBA graduates shared real-world outcomes from their time in the program and advice. They stressed the importance of the team structure.

It’s through these impactful opportunities and experiences, both within and beyond the EMBA program, that Broad Spartans are taking steps to inspire the future of business every day. Best wishes for continued success to the Executive MBA Class of 2026!