-
Target Test Prep's 2024 GMAT Focus Edition prep is discounted for the BTG community!
Redeem
Invigorating the Student Experience at Kellogg
As the associate dean of MBA programs and the dean of students at Northwestern University'sKellogg School of Management, Betsy Ziegler is tasked with making sure that students at Kellogg have an exceptional experience from the very first moment they come in contact with the school.
In this exclusive interview with Stacy Blackman Consulting, the former McKinsey & Co. executive explains how she plans to further improve the admissions experience for prospective students, and shares her top priorities for the coming year.
As associate dean of MBA programs and dean of students, you have a unique position at Kellogg School of Management in that you lead all of the student-facing operations teamsadmissions, student affairs and career management. What specific initiatives are you working on to enhance and invigorate the student experience at Kellogg?
Kellogg is known for its distinct, world-class student experience and culture. The first priority on my team was to map that experience end-to-end, and now weve started to optimize the experience based on what is truly most important to students.
In this last year, we collected research and had insightful conversations with students so we can identify meaningful ways to continue to best deliver on their needs. Ive built up my team, adding key hires in and the Career Management Center, Admissions and Financial Aid, while also optimizing admissions processes across Kellogg programs. Ive been closely involved in leading several of the initiatives outlined in our strategic plan, Envision Kellogg, such as leading the program review committee and participating in our curriculum review. In addition, we have implemented three exciting initiatives in our Part-Time program, including an accelerated option, a study abroad program and the ability for students to take three classes per quarter.
My goal is for Kellogg to operate like the best service companies in the world. Whether a student is in the Full-Time, Part-Time or Executive MBA program, we are nimble and responsive from the first touch point with Kellogg through graduation when our graduates make the transition to our global alumni community.
Through your position, Kellogg has unified the Admissions teams in the Part-Time, Full-Time and Executive MBA programs. How does that change improve the experience for applicants?
Were looking at the admissions process through a broader lens in order to attract the best and brightest students to Kellogg, and then to set them on the right MBA program path based on their personal and professional goals. Were working toward common applications and providing an exceptional experience for prospective students, regardless of the program they pursue.
The bottom line is a Kellogg MBA is a Kellogg MBA, but what is different is the channel by which you enter the school and each channel must meet the very specific needs of the students within it. Our new accelerated program in the Part-Time channel is a good example of creating added flexibility for these students.
The School recently launched a strategic plan coined, Envision Kellogg. Could you sum that up for our readers, and explain what opportunities for students will arise from this new framework?
Envision Kellogg is our comprehensive framework for how Kellogg will shape business education and thought leadership in the 21st century. Among other things, we are rethinking how and what we teach as part of our educational mission. Students regularly partner with administrators on various programs and initiatives at Kellogg, and there will be many significant ways for new students to participate and engage in the strategic plans implementation. Participating in conversations about our new curriculum, informing our new building design, and working on high-touch consulting projects with the Deans Office are just a few examples.
What plans does Kellogg have to further leverage social media and boost brand awareness?
We have to meet prospective students where they are and where they go to get information, and were continuously evolving how we use social media to interface with them. For example, we now invite prospective students to join a community hosted on Facebook a fundamental change for how we communicate with candidates today. Were looking to continue to enhance our social media presence and capabilities as we recognize its power and potential for reaching our community.
Were about to come up on your first anniversary at Kellogg in June. Tell us what has been your biggest challenge this past year, and what priorities you have set for the next 12-18 months.
I had thought the biggest change coming in to Kellogg would be the culture shift in moving from the fast-paced world of consulting at McKinsey to higher education. But, I have been impressed by the ability of the Kellogg community to pivot, move fast and be thoughtful in terms of decision-making and creating impact.
Over the next year, my team will be focused on a range of priorities, from finalizing the transition to one unified admissions group to launching a video strategy for the school. Ill continue to be closely involved in several of the Envision Kellogg initiatives, such as scaling the One-Year program, implementing new ideas and initiatives across degree programs, and working with my counterpart, Associate Dean for Global Programs Paul Christensen, to unify the programs in our Kellogg Executive MBA Network worldwide.
And, Ill continue to spend the majority of my time with students across all of our programs walking the halls, visiting our various campuses, and partnering with students to ensure they are enjoying a best-in-class student experience at Kellogg.
If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, Stacy Blackman Consulting can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more.
Recent Articles
Archive
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009