Black MBA - Fall 2008 - (Page 173) LEADERSHIP NBMBAA’s Collegiate Chapters NBMBAA®’s Collegiate Chapters: A Push in the Right Direction University Chapters Ready Undergraduates for MBA Programs By Marianne Kunkel MOST COLLEGE STUDENTS are too busy picking a major to worry about a 10-year career plan. But what about the African-American undergraduate student who is serious about pursuing an MBA, but doesn’t know where to start? What can she or he do? Join an NBMBAA Collegiate Chapter, of course. The NBMBAA’s Collegiate Chapter program is just one of many ways that the NBMBAA supports young African Americans interested in earning an MBA. The chapters, which are established at individual colleges and universities, are designed to bring students together and give them firsthand experience in researching MBA programs, preparing for the GMAT exam and networking with businesses. Black MBA Magazine recently checked in with five of NBMBAA’s 15 Collegiate Chapters to find out about their successes in the past year. University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign (UIUC): For the 2007-2008 school year, this chapter was focused on increasing membership, reports chapter President Ashton Clark. In an effort to stand out from other campus student organizations, the chapter branched out from its usual GMAT preparatory programs and study hours and co-sponsored several “Stepper’s Sets,” or dance parties, and a 5K event, which raised money for The Prometheus Project, a youth mentoring program. Clark says he got other ideas for how to boost interest in the chapter by simply starting a few conversations. “When talking to students,” he explains, “many of them were interested in learning more about [an MBA], but they also had an interest in going to law school.” So, with the help of the university’s Latino Association of Business Students, the Minority Association of Future Attorneys and the Latino Law Students Association, BlackMBA • Fall 2008 173
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