Kelly Trotman Schrupp, Director of Marketing & Client Services, Burr & Forman LLP

The time I spent earning my MBA at Samford was very important to me. I was working at IBM in Birmingham and going to school at night. I learned so much from my professors, but also from the other students in my classes. All of the other students were working, of course, and they came from such different backgrounds. Everyone brought their own experiences to the group projects we worked on, and the diversity of experience really made the work more meaningful. It was easy to see how the things we learned had real application on the job. Plus, I just loved being on the campus. When the weather was nice, I would take my dinner and eat outside while studying or preparing for class. The campus is so beautiful and relaxing; the serene setting always helped me get in the right frame of mind.

Vicki Briggs, EVP/COO, St. Vincent's Health System

I don’t suppose I am the typical MBA student. I’d already had a full career, even without having earned my MBA. In my last position, I’d served as CEO of Trinity Health Systems, with responsibility for all aspects of a 560-bed hospital with 1800 employees and 650 physicians on the medical staff.

Through a series of events, Trinity was sold, and I decided to step back from my career. It seemed a perfect time to go back and earn that MBA. I was researching programs when I saw an ad for the Brock School of Business at Samford. Mr. Brock intrigued me, so I looked further into their MBA program. What I found was a diamond right here in my own backyard. I’m going full-time, with plans to finish in one year. Even with my business experience, I’ve enjoyed learning what they teach today, particularly concerning technology. I love the format, the teamwork on case studies. I’ve found the students to be bright and interested.

So far, my professors have been very different, each with a unique style of teaching. They have deep experience; one professor wrote the book we used in a particular class, and I found it validated marketing strategies I’ve used for years. Perhaps the biggest adjustment I’ve had to make going back to school is one of point of view. As a former CEO, I’m used to being the one offering the critique! But, it’s good to be a student again.

Leigh Davis, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Southern Company Operations

Samford University provided me with an excellent education that met my flexible work needs. I was a newly hired Governmental Resources Analyst with Alabama Power Company when I began the MBA program. Over the years, the Administration was supportive as I needed to adjust my workload and schedule in order to accommodate various job opportunities. The professors encouraged an open teaching environment that fostered leadership, teamwork and collaboration. I honed critical analytical skills while working with and leading groups of other bright, inquisitive students; I continue to leverage those skills with my employees. The student mix provided viewpoints from a diverse mix of backgrounds. These collective experiences provided a powerful dialogue for problem solving both inside and outside of the classroom.

As an alum, I continue to reap the benefits of completing a degree from The Brock School of Business. Samford University offers a variety of valuable networking opportunities in the classroom and as a graduate. The Administration and Faculty are actively engaged in supporting post-graduate networking and continuous learning opportunities.