🔒Two CT business schools have new women leaders; both say launching in-demand programs key to enrollment growth

Business schools across the nation are showing a slight uptick in enrollment after a two-year lull, while demand is also increasing for some MBA and specialized business degrees.

Applications to graduate business programs in the U.S. increased 8.1% for the 2024-25 academic year compared with the prior year, according to a new survey from the Graduate Management Admission Council.

In the U.S., MBA programs offering full-time, in-person instruction experienced the biggest jump in interest. Among institutions offering two-year MBA degrees, 72% reported an increase in applications from the previous year.

Amid efforts to boost enrollment, two business schools in Connecticut are being led by new deans: Aarti Ivanic in July started as head of the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business, while Venus Fisher took over Post University’s Malcolm Baldrige School of Business in September.

Both women have experience in business and academia. And while they oversee different universities, they share common goals: the need to develop new degree programs, courses of study and career training opportunities; maintain and grow corporate partnerships; and adapt to ever-changing technology trends.

‘Career readiness’

Before joining the Barney School in July, Ivanic served as the founding dean of Wagner College’s Nicolais School of Business in Staten Island, New York.

She also worked at the University of San Diego, where she was the academic director of the MBA program and spearheaded initiatives to connect the business school with local employers. Her early career included consulting work for Booz Allen Hamilton.

At the Barney School of Business, Ivanic succeeded Carmen Cotei, who served as interim dean since May 2023, when Steven Mulready, the former dean, transitioned to the role of interim university president.

Ivanic said her focus at UHart will be on preparing students for their careers, bringing more women into business fields, and adapting education to today’s key industry trends.

“Career readiness is a key component of everything we do,” she said, adding that all Barney students are required to do an internship, which “exposes them to a lot of our industry partners (including Cigna, The Hartford and Stanley Black & Decker), and that then converts into full-time job opportunities.”

UHart’s business school experienced declining enrollment for three straight years starting in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, which caused headaches for many universities. Enrollment has since stabilized.

The Barney School’s graduate and undergraduate enrollment totaled 1,126 students this fall, up 5.4% from 2022, but down 11.2% from fall 2020.

Undergrad business students attend the University of Hartford online or on campus, but graduate programs are all online, a shift that occurred pre-pandemic, university officials said.

To boost enrollment, the school has focused on adding new programs in in-demand fields, Ivanic said, including majors in business analytics, supply chain management and sports management; a financial technology major will also soon debut.

The business school also launched a master’s in healthcare administration program, which allows UHart to partner with local healthcare systems and insurance companies that are in need of professionals with management and informatics skills, Ivanic said.

Business analytics has been a major growth area, while enrollment in accounting has been on the decline despite significant job prospects, she said.

Barney also offers a “three-plus-one program,” in which students earn their undergrad degree in three years, then any graduate degree in one year.

“We’re seeing more students take advantage of that program,” Ivanic said. “It’s fairly selective because it’s very rigorous, and through that, we’re also seeing an increase in enrollment in the MBA program.”

‘Global connections’

Prior to joining Post University, Fisher served as chief academic officer for EC-Council University, an online college in New Mexico that specializes in cybersecurity, computer science and business programs.

At Post University, she is replacing Jeremi Bauer as dean.

The majority of students enrolled at Post’s Baldrige School of Business are adult online learners, and more than 70% are women.

That’s a unique customer base compared to the average business school.

Baldrige’s enrollment in 2023 ranged from 5,200 to 6,000 students — a number that fluctuates because most online courses last for eight-week terms, the school said.

Like UHart, Post has been trying to boost enrollment by adding new programs. In recent years, that has included new bachelor’s and master’s degrees in gaming and e-sports management, and a master’s in business intelligence and analytics.

New concentrations within the school’s MBA program have included business intelligence and analytics, and finance analytics.

Fisher said she will help launch a new doctor of business administration program in early spring 2025. She’d also like to create more dual-degree programs that allow students to earn credits toward a master’s while still enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program.

Fostering partnerships with area businesses is also a priority, Fisher said. That could include creating new internship opportunities, but also direct relationships between Post University and individual companies or organizations.

For example, Post University has partnered with the Connecticut/Rhode Island Alliance of YMCAs to offer its degree programs at a 50% reduced tuition rate. YMCA employees also have access to customized executive leadership programs for management.

International student enrollment is also a focus area, Fisher said. The business school has students who hail from more than 15 countries.

For more than 10 years, Post University has partnered with the Steinbeis School of International Business and Entrepreneurship in Germany, allowing students to pursue a German-U.S. dual degree program.

“This program reflects our commitment to fostering global connections and providing students with unique, internationally-minded experiences to enrich their education and future careers,” Fisher said.