To integrate AI-focused learning into its curriculum, this year the EMBA Program at the University of California, Irvine’s Merage School of Business (UCI Merage) introduced three intensive AI courses to equip executives with the skills to navigate AI-driven business transformation.

The journey began with an AI Bootcamp, designed to build foundational fluency in the technology. The second course, Business Applications of AI: An Executive Perspective, provided a dynamic learning experience where executives from leading companies shared real-world AI strategies and insights. Featuring industry leaders from AWS, Google, KPMG, Pacific Life, PIMCO, Rockwell Automation, and Regeneron, among others, the sessions explored how companies are redefining their strategies, upskilling employees, and leveraging AI for competitive advantage.

Students engaged deeply, reflecting on AI’s transformative impact on business and their careers. Key themes included understanding the AI transformation imperative, the role of AI in shaping sustainable growth, and the importance of AI fluency across the entire workforce; developing AI competencies; and ensuring responsible AI use. The program underscored that AI is not just a technological shift—it demands fundamental business transformation.

Beyond AI literacy, the goal focused on preparing leaders not just to adapt, but to thrive in the age of AI. As technology continues to evolve, UCI Merage is ensuring that its executives remain at the forefront of innovation.

The University of Oklahoma helps drive thought leadership in the industry and open new opportunities for leaders. The Executive MBA in Energy (EMBA Energy) continues to support that aim.

In collaboration with The Baker Institute at Rice University, the Energy Institute at the University of Oklahoma co-hosted the Energy and the Intersection of Technology, Markets, and Policy conference. The conference brought together industry experts to explore emerging technologies and market impacts.

The Energy Leadership & Innovation Summit in Golden, Colorado, provided an opportunity for EMBA alumni to engage with top executives on energy transition technologies, including battery, solar, and wind innovations.

The Energy Executive Management Program (EEMP) delivered a one-week program in Oklahoma City, equipping early-to-mid-career professionals with insights into the energy value chain, CCUS, and energy asset valuation.

The University of Oklahoma’s Executive MBA in Aerospace & Defense (EMBA A&D) focuses on developing leaders through strategic partnerships and program innovations.

This year, the University launched two new graduate certificate programs:

• Aerospace & Defense Analytics, which equips professionals with data-driven decision-making skills.
• Commercial Space Applications, which offers specialized courses taught by renowned faculty and leaders in the commercial space industry.

The EMBA Program partnered with the Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute (OADII) to further enhance opportunities for students and alumni, connecting them with cutting-edge research, workforce development initiatives, and collaboration with industry leaders.

While the EMBA Program at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School has been steadily growing, the school continues to look at ways to impact enrollment, and the EMBAC community is helping Emory achieve that aim.

“At various EMBAC conferences, sessions, and meetings, numerous colleagues mentioned having multiple starts,” says Jaclyn Conner, associate dean, Executive MBA and Evening MBA, at Goizueta. “This was something we had never considered. Quite honestly, we were nervous about the implementation and management of this new experience.”

With help from other EMBAC schools and information about other methods and best practices, the school initiated its first spring start for the EMBA Program.

“This allowed us to grow enrollment from a cohort of 75 to 100 students,” says Conner. “This testimony is a true example of the value of the EMBAC community and network that showcases best practices on a regular basis.”

The most recent MBA Program ad campaign for Kennesaw State University won industry recognition. Titled More with an MBA, the campaign received the silver award in the Total Campaign Category from the Educational Advertising Awards and a gold award in the Total Advertising Campaign category from the Collegiate Advertising Awards.

The campaign highlights the varying, yet complementary, benefits Kennesaw State University students receive for earning their MBA. The campaign included billboards, airport signage, radio spots, handouts, and other forms of print and digital collateral. For more information about the campaign, visit here.

In response to the evolving needs of its students, the EMBA Program at Santa Clara University transitioned from a fully in-person model to a dynamic hybrid format. This shift has enhanced the accessibility and flexibility of the program, contributing to a notable increase in both applications and enrollment.

The incoming cohort reflects a deepening of professional experience and leadership. The average years of professional experience rose from 17 to 21 years, and the average age of participants increased to 45, underscoring the program’s continued appeal to seasoned executives seeking to elevate their careers.

The program remains committed to delivering a robust and relevant curriculum. In addition to core coursework, the program offers a series of workshops that complement and reinforce classroom learning. Students also benefit from three distinctive immersion experiences—local, national, and global—each centered around critical themes such as sustainability, government, and global business. These enhancements ensure the program’s EMBA graduates are equipped with the necessary insights, tools, and perspectives to lead effectively in today’s complex and interconnected world.

The executive degree programs at Thunderbird School of Global Management are designed for experienced professionals who want to broaden their global outlook and worldwide network.

Any of Thunderbird’s three one-year executive master’s programs allow students to continue their full-time career through a combination of in-person and online classes. All three programs share six core classes that enhance collaboration among cohorts while allowing customization in a student’s program.

The Executive Master of Global Management offers an applied learning experience abroad to highlight regional business practices. Students can customize their experience by choosing three electives from topics such as strategic management, data science, public policy, entrepreneurship, and more.

Designed and taught by industry-leading faculty and experts, the Executive Master of Global Management: Space Leadership is tailored for those who are pursuing careers in commercial spaceflight, defense and civil aerospace, AI and big data, and next-generation manufacturing.

The Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management builds expertise in leading systems and new enterprises, as well as managing complexity, disruptive innovation, digital transformation, and collaborative problem solving.

To learn more about Thunderbird, schedule time to connect with Executive Graduate Programs Recruiter, Katie Altersitz, at https://calendly.com/katie-altersitz.

In fall 2025, the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) EMBA Program will introduce new leadership-focused coursework, an expanded credit structure, and a new offsite experience.

The 20-month program remains structured across four semesters, with a summer break. Each semester builds on the next, covering leadership, accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, statistics, and supply chain, with group projects reinforcing classroom concepts. The final semester includes a capstone project that requires students to deeply integrate their learning and to partner with a local Richmond organization.

Students also engage in local business and plant tours, peer leadership and coaching, and offsite visits, including a CEO Day in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition neighborhood and a community project with the Richmond Community ToolBank. In April 2026, the cohort will travel to Japan, continuing the program’s tradition of exposing students to international business environments.

Beginning in fall 2025, the EMBA Program will expand from 39 to 42 credit hours, incorporating 18 new applied leadership sessions developed in partnership with the Institute for Transformative Leadership (ITL). These sessions will go beyond traditional leadership models by inviting students to reflect on their values, challenge limiting assumptions, and cultivate the courage to lead with purpose and care.

The second-semester group project will shift to a leadership-centered challenge with a local Richmond organization, allowing students to apply their leadership skills in real time. In addition, the fourth semester will feature a new offsite experience in Washington, D.C., or New York City, where students will meet with business leaders and policymakers to explore the intersection of economic regulations, corporate strategy, and government policy.

The College of Charleston successfully launched its EMBA Program in January, marking a milestone in business education as the only EMBA Program in South Carolina.

The inaugural cohort of 16 diverse leaders from various industries embarked on an 18-month journey to earn a nationally recognized MBA degree. The cohort includes professionals from organizations such as Boeing, Lenovo, Blackbaud, South Carolina Ports, and Charleston County Aviation Authority, as well as three U.S. military veterans. Committed to a small cohort of 25, the college already has accepted 12 candidates for the January 2026 cohort.

The program is partnering with Wisdom Works, a renowned provider of transformative leadership programs, for its executive coaching program. This collaboration equips students with the tools they need to lead and thrive in today’s complex, interconnected, and ever-evolving world.

“We are thrilled to partner with Wisdom Works to offer our Executive MBA candidates a unique opportunity to further develop their leadership capabilities and realize their full potential,” says Ron Magnuson, executive director of graduate and executive programs for the School of Business at the College of Charleston. “Our graduates will not only emerge as effective leaders but will also become champions of wellbeing for themselves and those they lead. These are the leaders who will drive change and positive results in their organizations.”

During the program, EMBA candidates will use two innovative assessment tools: The Leadership Circle Profile – the only leadership instrument that measures creative competencies and reactive tendencies, the two primary domains of leadership – and Be Well Lead Well Pulse® – the first integrative leadership assessment focused on wellbeing and transformation. Students also will be paired with an executive coach to explore their results and work on individualized action plans for their growth, wellbeing, and impact.

The inaugural group of students already have completed leadership assessments through Wisdom Works workshops, helping them to build capacity and capability in creative leadership effectiveness. Most students already have engaged in at least two of their seven one-on-one executive coaching sessions, providing personalized guidance for their development.

Orientation events have fostered strong connections within the cohort, and students have had the opportunity to network with Charleston's business leaders, further enriching their professional experience. The hybrid format combines rigorous in-person classes with flexibility to accommodate working professionals' demanding schedules.

For more information about the College of Charleston Executive MBA Program and to apply, visit go.charleston.edu/emba.

The Florida International University DBA program launched a new hospitality concentration that will begin enrolling students in spring 2025. The College of Business and Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management collaborated to design the concentration for senior-level professionals in the industry.

The National University of Singapore has plans to partner with IBM on a new artificial intelligence (AI) research and innovation center to help accelerate the university’s research. The center would leverage IBM’s full-stack AI information and a selection of open-source models and offer an innovation platform for Singapore agencies, academic and research institutions, and companies to jointly conduct AI research.

The University of Colorado at Boulder’s Leeds School of Business is launching two new master’s programs for both working professionals and full-time students, the master’s in supply chain analytics degree and the master’s in marketing analytics degree. Drawing on discussions with industry partners and incorporating new technologies, the supply chain analytics degree will replace the school’s current supply chain management degree. The master’s in marketing analytics will prepare students for roles that require translating data into actionable insights, understanding customer behavior, and optimizing marketing effectiveness.

The London Business school now offers its International EMBA with in-person and hybrid choices. The hybrid EMBA launched in January with 40 percent of courses taught from the school’s London or Dubai campus, 40 percent online sessions, and 20 percent self-paced modules. The program’s in-person option includes 80 percent of courses on campus and 20 percent as self-paced modules. The program takes students 22 months to complete on the standard track or 17 months with select elective courses.

A new executive education program at Imperial College Business School helps leaders navigate the challenging relationship between profit and ethical decision-making. Students in the Responsible Leadership in a Complete World explore questions surrounding artificial intelligences, digital transformation, and climate change through case studies and contextual leadership projects.

In 2025, the IMD’s EMBA Program began offering students two distinct formats. The Elective-Flex format allows students to design part of their own learning journey – both in delivery mode and content focus areas such as sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation. For the Modular-Flex format, students choose their pace and starting point, completing the degree in anywhere from 18 months to four years.

“Our redesigned program delivers both the strategic capabilities and global network executives need to accelerate their impact and advance their careers,” says Vanina Farber, dean of the EMBA Program. “It offers personalized pathways – whether through flexible pacing, choice of learning modality, or focus areas that align with their career aspirations. What remains constant is the transformative power of our learning community, where individual growth catalyzes the collective impact.”

IMD also added two new executive master’s degrees. The executive master in AI and digital business transformation and the executive master in sustainable business transformation will help prepare students for the rapidly changing business landscape. The stackable degree programs allow students to tailor their learning journey through the selection of core courses and electives.

ESSEC Business School and Accenture have joined forces to launch the AI for Responsible Leadership initiative, with the goal of encouraging leaders to use artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically. The initiative leverages the expertise of partner organizations, such as the ESSEC Metalab, helping bridge the gap between academia, industry, and technology. It will include workshops and talks to promote the exchange of best practices, a barometer to help track AI’s implementation and overall impact on responsible leadership, and an annual Grand Prix to recognize projects that explore the subject of AI and leadership.

In partnership with Infosys, the Said Business School at the University of Oxford offers the Springboard StartSmart: Foundations for Entrepreneurs, a course to promote a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Springboard StartSmart provides participants access to resources and mentors in the United Kingdom. The course leverages Infosys Springboard, a free online and reskilling platform. The course helps participants gain skills to embrace digital transformation, apply fundamental business concepts, and leverage the potential of emerging technologies, including AI.

Entrepreneur and investor Konstantin Sokolov (MBA’05) has made a $100 million gift to the University of Chicago, in support of the EMBA Program at the Booth School of Business. In honor of his commitment, the program will be renamed the Sokolov Executive MBA Program, and a new clinical professorship will be established for a scholar who teaches EMBA students.

“With this extraordinary gift, Konstantin Sokolov offers a powerful testament to the impact of the education provided by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business,” says President Paul Alivisatos. “I am pleased to know that students will benefit from his generous support, which will allow the school to continue fostering innovation, leadership and excellence in business education.”

Booth’s Executive MBA Program was the first of its kind when it began with a group of 52 students from the Chicago area. Known as XP-1, the program was created in 1943 in response to wartime demand for skilled administrators.

“With Konstantin’s remarkable commitment, the Sokolov Executive MBA Program will continue to educate future generations of leaders, giving students the insight and skills they need to move people and organizations to success,” says Madhav Rajan, dean of Chicago Booth and the George Pratt Shultz Professor of Accounting. “This gift will help the school further adapt and refine its offerings to meet the evolving global business landscape.”

Sokolov said his gift recognizes the impact his Booth education has had on his life. “I am immensely proud to be able to support the incredible achievements made by Chicago Booth, an institution with a legacy of pioneering research and transformative education since its founding,” says Sokolov, who completed his Executive MBA in the program’s Chicago cohort. “I am deeply honored by the school’s decision to give my name to its world-leading Executive MBA Program. Two decades after my graduation, the lessons I learned, the experiences I gained, and the friendships I forged at Booth remain the foundation of my career and my life. The school’s relentless pursuit of knowledge is an inspiration, and I hope my support will contribute to its continued success.”

In addition to sustaining the quality of the program by ensuring the continued availability of scholarship and operating funds, the gift will make it possible for Chicago Booth to continue to refine its curricular and programmatic offerings in response to developments in the modern business environment. It also will help the program enhance its approach to fostering alumni and corporate connections for the students.