B-school hopes to see more women get an MBA

MBA programs throughout the nation are dominated by men 3:1.

Though this remains true for KU, the MBA program is working hard to create a better balance. KU MBA advocates for having more women in the MBA program because it wants more women leaders in top business organizations. When more women are in MBA programs, it levels the playing field in the workforce.

Members of Women's MBA Association and MBA staff
members attend the Lawrence Go Red for Women luncheon.

Dee Steinle, administrative director of masters programs, doesn't want women to shy away from an MBA for fear of entering a male-dominated career.

“We are undersubscribed with women,” Steinle said. “I would just like for women to actually look at this program and realize that an MBA, no matter what your passion is, it’s going to make you better at it and give you the edge.”

The MBA program encourages women to pursue their passions in business. No matter what the business is, an MBA provides a management education that is going to give women an advantage over competitors.

Women currently in the program have found great success by taking advantage of the resources it has to offer, such as the Women’s MBA Association.  Christy Imel, a first-year MBA student and president of KU’s Women’s MBA Association, recognizes that when it comes to creating a 1:1 ratio in the workforce, we still have a ways to go. She’d like to see more women utilize their MBA.

“What I would like is to break the cycle of women leaving the workforce and never returning,” Imel said. “I think earning an MBA is a great way to break that cycle. Women who left the workforce to raise a family can come back to KU, full or part time, earn their degree, and get all the help and resources KU has to offer.”

Imel said she feels KU excels at representing women in the program by having many female MBA staff members and a female dean of the School of Business. She said she feels KU makes a concerted effort to make sure everyone in the program feels welcome.

KU’s MBA program wants to break the mold of the stereotypical business leader by encouraging women to get their MBA and assisting them in finding success after they graduate.

“I think that it’s important to know that women can come at this program from wherever they are at and it’s going to give them the business skills to pursue their passion in a way that’s much more strategic,” Steinle said.

by Mackenzie Leander