UW-Whitewater to graduate the third cohort of doctorate students

December 17, 2019

Eleven new graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Doctorate of Business Administration program will be named at the winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 21, in the Kachel Fieldhouse – joining 22 others who have previously completed the program. The individuals being recognized include Yousif Abdelrahim, Sana Ahmed, Kenyatta Barber, Arthur Barnard, Camelia Clarke, Scott Dell, Ahmad Kabil, Steven Kihm, Amanda Remo, Nisheeth Saini and Eric Swan.

With the celebration just days away, K. Praveen Parboteeah, professor of management and DBA program coordinator, reflected on the growth and success of the program since its inception in 2014.

“The achievements of our students and graduates have certainly contributed to good word of mouth,” Parboteeah said. “Our alumni in academia are doing incredible work. They’ve progressed significantly in their careers, and they are producing quality academic articles.”

“However, the response by private sector professionals has almost been more gratifying. We have highly accomplished business people that are accustomed to relying on their business acumen and experience. Embracing the scientific method and academic-level research has led them to options they may never have considered before.”

Ralph Turner ‘18, Chief Operating Officer of the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and a graduate from the second cohort, shared his perspective, saying, “The DBA program at UW-Whitewater gave me the tools to be prepared for immediate success in my professional career. If you take one step towards your goals in this program, the professors will take two. They genuinely have the student's best interest at heart.”

With a program tuition cost of $84,000 – less than many Master of Business Administration programs – alumni have found it to be an investment with a strong return. In fact, several alumni have reported that they have experienced a 100 percent return within the first year of graduation.

Among other achievements, program alumni have launched an international consulting organization, earned promotions to chief operating officer of a regional hospital and to executive director at one of the nation’s top pediatric hospitals, been appointed to the board of directors of an industry-leading technology solutions company, and earned promotions to tenure-track positions at respected academic institutions.

Other AACSB-accredited business schools in the region have responded positively, as well. The overall faculty body at these institutions must meet stringent standards. As a result, there are often shortages of sufficiently qualified faculty, and the UW-Whitewater program is helping to fill that need.

And for those who cross the stage at commencement to accept their doctorate degrees, it is just the beginning. 

As Aaron Kinney ‘17, a graduate from the first cohort, said, “The skills you learn will be life-changing, whether you stay in the business world or enter academia. The critical thinking and ability to apply academic tools to real-world problems are revolutionary.”

The UW-Whitewater Doctorate of Business Administration program is an AACSB-accredited professional doctorate that enables students to develop in-depth expertise in a specific business area. It is a 60-credit program offered using a cohort model where students attend classes one weekend each month for two years, followed by a year of dissertation work. This format allows both business professionals and those engaged in military careers to complete the program in just three years while continuing in their full-time careers.