“As a mature student, I was particularly attracted to the EMBA because it is a cohort group consisting of business leaders. A smaller class makes for lots of great discussion with the lecturers, which is fantastic. Kicking off the EMBA with Christian Leadership and Ethics has set up the program spectacularly!"
— Craig Meacham, Director of Kiddie Rides South Africa, EMBA student from South Africa
Trinity Western University’s very first Executive MBA (EMBA) students started classes this Fall. Among the 15 students admitted into the inaugural EMBA class, seven of them are women. Representing a global classroom, TWU EMBA students come from Canada, UK, South Africa, Brazil, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India.
The average work experience of this cohort is more than 12 years. EMBA students come from various industries including financial services, banking, accounting, marketing, technology, telecommunication, higher education, non-profit, and start-ups. They serve job functions such as Founder, CEO, VP, Executive Director, Director, Manager, and Board Member.
Canadian students in the program are all working full-time careers while pursuing the program.
“With our classmates, we are sharing our learnings and experiences. We all have rich experiences in different industries and businesses. These are the true learnings we cannot simply read from the textbook."
— Sky Tong, Area Sales Manager with a national banking corporation, EMBA student
The first course of TWU’s new EMBA program, Christian Leadership and Ethics, has just concluded. The course was delivered over two consecutive weekends, on September 17-18 and 24-25. All EMBA classes are delivered in-person at TWU’s campuses in Langley and Richmond. B.C.
EMBA students who started this Fall are expected to graduate in April 2023.
In a class with business leaders
Craig Meacham, Director of Kiddie Rides South Africa, is an EMBA student from South Africa. He comments, “As a mature student, I was particularly attracted to the EMBA because it is a cohort group consisting of business leaders.”
Meacham valued the opportunity to connect with professionals with similar years of workplace leadership experience. He found the small class size to be a benefit.
“A smaller class makes for lots of great discussion with the lecturers, which is fantastic,” he said.
Having just completed the first course of the semester, he added, “Kicking off the EMBA with Christian Leadership and Ethics has set up the program spectacularly! TWU prepares us for effective leadership and equips us to bring the Gospel into the marketplace. This is indeed good news. What more could you ask from an EMBA? If you get a chance to sign up, go for it!"
Business strategies learned through real-life cases
EMBA student Sky Tong is an Area Sales Manager with national banking corporation CIBC. She sees the benefit of networking with other professionals within her classroom.
“I am so grateful and excited to join our EMBA program. This program helped me understand leadership and business strategies through lots of real cases. The friendships we build with our cohort will become our valuable connections and encouragement in our business world.”
Tong also highlights the benefits of peer learning and mentorship.
“With our classmates, we are sharing our learnings and experiences. We all have rich experiences in different industries and businesses. These are the true learnings we cannot simply read from the textbook. “
Tong appreciates EMBA professor, Dr. Mark Lee, for his background in real-world business. She said, “With his guidance, I see I could apply our learnings right away in our career and personal life. By learning ethics as a Christian leader, no matter which business we are in going forward, we believe we are like the clay in God’s hands, and we are here to serve his purpose as a leader in business.”
Diversity of professions and experiences in the classroom
Dr. Mark Lee, Professor of Leadership & Strategic Management, taught the first course in the new EMBA program. He noted how the diversity of professions and industries represented within the cohort served to enrich classroom learning.
Dr. Lee remarked, “The students all had significant business and management experience from a variety of industries, which enriched the classroom experience. The discussions were vibrant and engaging, with all of the students actively participating. This was probably one of my all-time favorite graduate teaching experiences. Thoroughly enjoyable!”
Take the next step
Intake for the September 2022 EMBA is now open. For more information about Trinity Western’s EMBA and MBA programs, please contact us through the inquiry page and sign up to receive more program updates.
See this story in the Langley Advance Times.
See also — Why an EMBA from TWU?
Consider TWU EMBA
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca
Photo credits: Bethany Haynes