Carolyn Kotsol EMBA '11

Title and company: Director of Research and Product Development, Applied Process Technology International

Hometown: Canfield, Ohio

Undergraduate education: Bachelor of Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Youngstown State University, Ohio.

Career experience: Upon graduation, I entered into the dynamic and exciting biofuel industry and expanded my skills and engineering capabilities through the process design of hundreds of chemical installations. My engineering career has awarded me the privilege to travel to over 10 countries on 4 continents, meet and work with exciting professionals and be exposed to new cultures. Over my 12-year tenure, I ascended in my company from a process engineer to the Director of Research and Product Development where I am currently responsible for early and late stage research and development activities.

Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy winemaking and brewing at home, playing and watching outdoor sports with friends and family and relaxing at the beach.

Why did you select the EMBA program at William & Mary?

In aspiring to expand my career into an executive leadership role, I recognized that my professional involvement had to expand beyond my Engineering dimension. Therefore, I felt I needed to increase my formal education to add business skills in marketing, finance and business strategy to provide a wider professional base.

I chose the College of William and Mary and the Executive MBA Program for its strength and quality of instructors and reputational excellence in education. As a working professional, I was also attracted to the Program’s academic calendar and found it accommodating to integrate into my active schedule.

What are some highlights of your experience here?

My EMBA experience has been composed of several highlights and none of which would be possible without the support and friendship of my colleagues in the classroom including members of my study team.  The friendships forged during the Program and the International Trip will endure well after graduation.

What impact has the EMBA program had on life?

I have found a successful balance to be through prioritization and time management. This is predicated on knowing how you best learn and under what conditions provides you with the optimal environment for studying.  The Mason network of Executive Partners is expansive and extremely helpful when looking for mentorship on job transitioning and/or new business initiatives.

What's next for you?

As I look towards graduation, I am encouraged to identify new opportunities where I will leverage my newly developed executive management skills and decision-making capabilities and where I can build a sustainable new business venture. My confidence in business management is directly attributed to the education and professional network I have gained through the William & Mary EMBA program.