Invest: spoke with Anil Menon, Dean of the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, about the school’s new initiative called The Center for AI Edge, which is focused on “executive decision-making, governance, and decisions.” Menon also noted that Crummer “wrote the book” on business by having the largest number of textbook writers on their faculty.
What are some specific growth initiatives that Crummer has successfully implemented recently?
In response to the evolving market landscape, Crummer has been proactive in adopting innovative growth initiatives that align with the needs of modern executives and the future of business education. Our most notable recent achievement is forging an exclusive partnership with Fortune magazine to create a joint certification. This initiative is led by the esteemed chairman of Siemens Worldwide, spotlighting an eight-week hybrid model that blends asynchronous learning with executive education. Named “Dreams and Details,” this program delves into the art and science of executing transformational leadership strategies and has garnered significant interest for its forward-thinking approach.
Moreover, we’ve expanded our academic prowess by welcoming Jay Liebowitz to our faculty—a luminary in artificial intelligence. Under his guidance, we are developing specialized certifications centered around AI, signaling the launch of our new Center for AI-EDGE. Contrary to conventional tech-focused programs, this center will emphasize the strategic use of AI in executive decision-making, governance, and execution. It’s designed to equip business leaders with the knowledge to leverage AI for strategic advantage, underlining our commitment to providing education that transcends traditional boundaries and prepares leaders for tomorrow’s business landscape challenges.
How does Crummer incorporate experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and industry partnerships, to prepare students for real-world challenges?
Crummer has been at the forefront of experiential learning for over six decades, embedding real-world experiences directly into our curriculum. This commitment to practical, hands-on education is a cornerstone of our approach and a significant reason why we are consistently recognized as a leading institution in leadership and business. Our legacy includes a lineage of distinguished textbook and case authors who have shaped the foundation of business learning, underlining our role as pioneers in integrating real-world business challenges into academic environments.
Our partnerships with iconic organizations, including Disney and prominent finance companies like DRZ, and collaborations with local and national firms and multigenerational family businesses, provide our students with diverse and rich internship opportunities. These experiences are invaluable, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, gain insights into various industries, and navigate complex business environments firsthand.
Furthermore, our unique integrated consulting projects’ opportunities for students to engage with executives nationally and internationally set us apart. While other schools are beginning to incorporate similar experiential learning elements into their programs, Crummer has been leading the way in this regard, ensuring our MBA students are prepared for the real world and capable of leading and innovating within it from the moment they graduate.
How does your school foster innovation and encourage students to explore new business ventures?
While we may be considered small in size compared to most business schools, our impact is anything but diminutive. Our financial stability and size empower us to navigate dynamic landscapes and make strategic pivots, ensuring our programs remain at the forefront of innovation. We have revamped our Executive MBA program to reflect the evolving demands of the corporate landscape. The program will be characterized by a profound emphasis on leadership, managing well-being, critical thinking, and mental resilience. Guiding this evolution includes Dr. Mark Hertling, a former U.S. Army officer who served as the Commanding General of US Army Europe in 2012, whose expertise will undoubtedly enrich our program with invaluable insights and leadership acumen. Our Center for Entrepreneurship is focused on providing various practical experiences to students, alumni, and business owners of growth-stage companies to promote successful entrepreneurship. This includes our annual Venture Plan and Elevator Pitch Competitions, which several students and alumni have won, highlighting our commitment to fostering new startups and propelling their growth and scalability.
How do you maintain connections with your alumni network? How do those relationships benefit students in terms of mentorships and career opportunities?
Crummer boasts a vibrant network of over 7,400 alumni, with a significant majority—approximately 5,000—based in Florida. This expansive network is rooted in the deep bonds formed through our cohort model, which facilitates a close-knit learning environment among its students and fosters enduring connections long after graduation. This model is a testament to our value of community and collaboration, which is integral to the Crummer experience.
We actively engage our alumni through various clubs, networks, and events nationwide to maintain and nurture these connections. I prioritize visiting key cities such as Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New York, among others, to host alumni gatherings. These events serve as a platform for our graduates to network, share experiences, and support one another, reinforcing the sense of community that defines our institution.
As the new dean, one of my foremost goals is to deepen these already strong alumni relationships. We are committed to enhancing the avenues through which our current students can benefit from this rich network. This includes expanding mentorship opportunities, where alumni share their insights and experiences to guide students, and increasing access to career opportunities by leveraging our alumni’s diverse professional achievements and connections. Through these efforts, we aim not only to maintain but also enrich the symbiotic relationship between our students and alumni, ensuring mutual growth and success.
How is Crummer adapting to new shifts in demand?
Crummer is at the forefront of educational innovation, actively responding to the evolving demands of the business landscape with several strategic initiatives recently launched and exciting programs set to roll out over the next year. We will introduce a one-year STEM MBA program tailored specifically for professionals in analytics and artificial intelligence. This initiative addresses the crucial need for leaders adept at leveraging technology and data within business contexts.
Looking ahead, we’re expanding our portfolio with the introduction of new Master of Science degrees alongside a diverse array of modular, mixed, and hybrid programs scheduled for launch in the coming year. These upcoming offerings underscore our dedication to providing a high-quality educational experience that is deeply integrated with the business community and local economy, for which Crummer is renowned.
Our shift toward incorporating modular education, executive education, and innovative MBA programs highlights our commitment to flexibility and adaptability in learning formats. This strategic direction capitalizes on our strengths as a private institution rooted in a Liberal Arts College, emphasizing critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to navigate and manage across diverse ecosystems.
Inspired by IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland, our vision reflects our commitment to blending academic rigor with practical, real-world business insights, preparing our graduates to lead and innovate in an increasingly complex global business environment. These new and forthcoming initiatives are a testament to our proactive approach to meeting the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s business leaders.
How is Crummer integrating technology to enhance the learning experience?
Crummer is embarking on an extensive digital transformation to ensure our educational infrastructure remains at the forefront of technological advancement. Recognizing the importance of leveraging cutting-edge learning technologies, we are establishing strategic partnerships with leading technology and social media companies. These collaborations aim to integrate the latest metaverse technologies into our classrooms, enhancing the learning experience by offering immersive, interactive environments that mirror real-world business scenarios.
In addition to these technological advancements, we are embracing the evolving landscape of educational media by developing a state-of-the-art studio dedicated to podcast production. This initiative reflects our understanding that modern learners engage with content in varied ways, and podcasts represent a growing trend in accessible, impactful learning tools.
While we are committed to pioneering the integration of Wi-Fi, the internet, and other innovative technologies in education, we remain equally focused on ensuring that these digital enhancements complement rather than replace the invaluable personal interaction between faculty and students. Our approach is to harness technology to enrich the learning experience, promoting engagement and understanding without detracting from the essential human elements of teaching and mentorship.
