From zookeeper to small business owner, and now an MBA and HR generalist: meet Rose Glendinning (FTMBA Human Resources Management ’17). Poets & Quants recently named Glendinning to its “2017 Best MBAs” national list, and one look at her resume and impact on the Broad College of Business will tell you why.
“If a Mount Rushmore existed for MBA students from MSU, Rose Glendinning would be on it. She works tirelessly and creatively to benefit her fellow students and the MBA program at every opportunity, and her efforts span the gamut: from organizing holiday dinners for international students who cannot travel home to personally booking the university president for a mentorship talk to MBA women,” said Wayne Hutchison, director of MBA academic and program services. “Rose never settles for the status quo—she does more in a day than others do in a week.”
Glendinning, an East Lansing native, will earn her MBA diploma this weekend at Michigan State University’s commencement. After a few years working in financial services and franchising two Biggby coffee shops, Glendinning felt as though she hit a professional plateau. Her thirst for knowledge, ambition, and desire to keep learning and growing inspired Glendinning to consider business school, but it took more than nostalgia to bring her back to her mid-Michigan hometown.
“I chose to attend the Broad College for my MBA because of its outstanding reputation, the high percentage of placement for graduates, the tuition rate, and the student class size,” said Glendinning. “The students at the Broad School are supportive of each other, focused on giving back to the community, and genuinely care about their fellow classmates.”
Earning a spot on the Poets & Quants list is far from Glendinning’s only achievement while working toward her MBA. She was named Outstanding MBA Student for the Class of 2017 and received the Unity Award for the Class of 2017. She also received a special award that was named in her honor, the Rose Award, which in the future will be given to an MBA student that demonstrates the Broad vision of community and exemplifies the term “Spartans Will.” Additionally, Glendinning held a variety of leadership positions at the Broad College, including president and vice president of community relations for the Broad Women in MBA; MBA liaison to the MSU Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management; and student mentor for four first-year teams, which meant taking responsibility for team dynamics and adjusting to MBA lifestyle.
“I am most proud of the Rose Award. To be recognized on such a grand scale for how I approach my every day was (and is!) overwhelming and humbling,” said Glendinning. “I was raised by parents who taught me to try my best and always give back, and I am full of gratitude and appreciation for my upbringing.”
During the summer of 2016, Glendinning interned at Dell Technologies in Round Rock, Texas. Following graduation, she will return to Dell as an HR generalist. Ultimately, she would like to be in an HR leadership position responsible for company culture and employee engagement.
Outside of the Broad College of Business, Glendinning has been a board member of FAR Therapeutic Arts and Recreation for eight years, as well as volunteering and fundraising for the Bottomless Toy Chest, the Jimmy Fund, and Wolverine Human Services.
If Glendinning’s story has inspired you to apply to the Broad College of Business MBA program, she has some words of advice to offer; “I would recommend that the individual engages with our admissions office to schedule a day visit to campus. During the visit, the applicant will have the opportunity to sit in on a class and shadow a current MBA student. It allows the applicant to get an in-depth snapshot of the culture of the program and allow them to visualize themselves in the classrooms and hallways.”
