Associate Dean for MBA Programs Ken White: The First 30 Days
One month ago, Dean Larry Pulley welcomed the school’s new Associate Dean for MBA Programs Ken White to the Mason School. White came to Williamsburg with 20 years of successful leadership experience in higher education, half that time at top business schools.
Prior to joining the Mason School, White was the Associate Dean for MBA & MS Programs at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business. Before that, he was Vice President for Communication & Marketing at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
After 30 days on the job, White has gotten to know the school, its programs and people.
“I knew I was joining a high quality business school with very good MBA programs,” White said. “In the last month though, I’ve learned it’s even better than I thought. In fact, it’s simply outstanding.”
White said the Mason School has everything a world-class business school should have.
“It starts with an A+ faculty and that high quality runs throughout the entire organization,” he said. Our alumni, staff, our beautiful building, business library, corporate partners, students---they are all top notch.”
White is especially impressed with the school’s Executive Partners program, something no other school offers.
“MBA students want and need executive coaching on an on-going, every day basis,” he said. “However, it is difficult for MBA programs to provide. But here, students have access to our Executive Partners, a team of highly successful executives who coach and guide the students toward career success. That alone is worth the price of admission here.”
In addition to the quality of the school and its programs, White said he especially enjoys the team atmosphere at the school.
“It’s supportive community,” he said. “Students watch out for each other and support each other. The professors want the students to succeed. The staff is engaged with students. That collaborative spirit makes the school and the MBA programs special.”
White holds a doctorate in communication from the University of Missouri. He has taught executive communication to undergraduate and MBA students and to numerous corporate teams. He is active in the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) MBA Initiative that encourages MBA programs to teach strategic communication. He served two terms on the Graduate Management Admissions Council’s (GMAC) Communication Advisory Committee. His tips and advice on communication can be found on Twitter @kenwhitephd. White and his wife have three daughters. Their oldest is a member of the Class of 2017 at William & Mary.
As Associate Dean, White provides leadership to the Full Time, Flex and Executive MBA programs; the Career Management Center; the MBA Admissions Office and the Center for Corporate Education.
