Day: March 12, 2019

AMHERST — The online MBA offered by the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst has been ranked first in the U.S. and third in the world by the Financial Times. 

With one of the largest and most established accredited online MBA programs in the country, the Isenberg School of Management has provided online education opportunities for nearly 16 years. More than 1,100 students are currently enrolled in the program.

“The Isenberg School has established itself as an international leader in online education, offering students innovative pathways to develop advanced skills and enrich their careers,” said UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy. “This world-class ranking from the Financial Times is yet another recognition of UMass Amherst’s leadership in the business world.”

The Isenberg School stood out in the Financial Times’ 2019 rankings in a number of areas. The online MBA program ranked first for increase in salary after earning an MBA, with a 39% increase; first in the U.S. for total salary; and first for percentage of female faculty, with 45%. Furthermore, the program ranked fifth in online interaction, which measures how well alumni rate interactions between students, teamwork, and availability of faculty.

“We are thrilled by the strides reflected in the latest Financial Times rankings, as they affirm that our recent investments in faculty and technology have provided a gateway for our program participants to excel,” said Tom Moliterno, interim dean of the Isenberg School. “We anticipate sustaining this momentum moving forward, as well as again demonstrating Isenberg’s online MBA bona fides as a pioneering online program.”

Isenberg’s online MBA program offers an expansive course of study, from business analytics, finance, and healthcare administration to marketing and sports management. Isenberg students come from all 50 states and around the globe, and include physicians, attorneys, entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, and scientists.

HOLYOKE — The Dowd Agencies, LLC announced that Suzanne Mlinarcik has joined its staff as a commercial account manager and marketer. She is responsible for marketing new and renewal business and managing in-house accounts.

“Suzanne has done it all in the insurance industry,” said David Griffin Sr., executive vice president and treasurer of the Dowd Agencies. “She is passionate about her work and is proud of the relationships she builds with her clients and co-workers. She’s an excellent addition to our staff, and we are excited to have her on our team.”

Mlinarcik has been an insurance professional for more than 25 years, specializing in commercial insurance and training and mentoring employees. Her career began at an insurance agency in Connecticut, where she climbed the ranks from a part-time employee to manager of the Commercial Lines department. She eventually stepped into the role of senior account manager, where she mentored new hires and managed her own client portfolio.

Mlinarcik is an active member of the motorcycle community, regularly participating in charitable events including Brightside’s Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive/Run, Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, and the Wicked in Pink Cancer Run.

SHELBURNE FALLS — Wanda Mooney, associate-broker with Coldwell Banker Upton Massamont Realtors, has been awarded the 2018 Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite. Only the top 5% of all sales associates worldwide in the Coldwell Banker system qualified for this group.

Mooney also received the 2018 Platinum Award from the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley and the Platinum Award from Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College will host a Majors and Career Fair for students, local vocational high schools, and community agencies interested in exploring opportunities in the biomedical, architectural, civil and mechanical engineering, optics and photonics, social work, landscape and design, digital media, graphic communications, IT security, and many other STEM fields.

The Majors and Career Fair will be held Wednesday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scibelli Hall Gymnasium in Building 2. This event is a collaboration among the Career Development Center, the HSI-STEM Grant, and the Perkins Grant.

Representatives from academic majors, career fields, and local employers will be on hand. With a goal of raising awareness about STEM majors and careers, the fair will give attendees an opportunity to speak with employers about potential opportunities in their field.

For more information, contact Felicia Griffin-Fennell at [email protected] or (413) 755-4819.