{"id":19127,"date":"2025-11-24T10:45:03","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:45:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=19127"},"modified":"2025-11-24T10:45:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T15:45:05","slug":"build-the-skills-to-lead-with-confidence-in-wilmus-affordable-mba-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2025\/11\/24\/build-the-skills-to-lead-with-confidence-in-wilmus-affordable-mba-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Build the Skills To Lead With Confidence in WilmU&#8217;s Affordable MBA Program\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19127_4d60d9-d5\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>After more than 35 years in financial services, <strong>Dr. Keith Pettiford<\/strong> points to his Wilmington University MBA as a turning point in his career, explaining how it led to a promotion and then an executive director role at a larger company.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWilmington University\u2019s MBA program provides a good, clear direction for students who are looking to take their career to the next level, to be a thought leader, to foster growth and innovation in order for businesses and organizations to flourish,\u201d says Dr. Pettiford, MBA alum of the year and a WilmU adjunct professor who\u2019s worked for Barclays, JPMorganChase and Harley-Davidson Financial Services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In-Person or Online MBA Program\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wilmington University offers one of the most affordable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/business\/mba_index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Master of Business Administration<\/a> programs in the region. With a choice of concentrations, you can tailor your degree to fit your goals and complete it in just one year \u2014 either 100% online or through a combination of online and in-person classes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA WilmU MBA offers an exceptional return on investment because it\u2019s designed for working professionals who want to advance or pivot their careers without putting their lives on hold,\u201d says <strong>Dr. Robin Weinstein<\/strong>, dean of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/business\/indexb.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">College of Business and Technology<\/a>. \u201cOur program combines practical, real-world application with academic excellence, taught by faculty who are experienced practitioners in their fields.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have at least five years of leadership or management experience, the new <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2025\/07\/30\/your-experience-counts-with-wilmus-new-mba-executive-pathway\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Executive Pathway MBA<\/a> awards up to six academic credits for your industry knowledge, allowing you to graduate in as little as 10 months.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA WilmU MBA isn\u2019t just about earning a credential \u2014 it\u2019s about unlocking potential,\u201d Dr. Weinstein says. \u201cOur graduates emerge more confident, capable and connected. The program empowers them to navigate complexity, lead with purpose and create meaningful impact in their organizations and communities.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is an MBA Worth It?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter your industry, a WilmU MBA opens the door to sought-after management and leadership positions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBased on reporting from earlier this year and data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook is very strong; management occupations are projected to add about 1.2 million openings annually through 2033,\u201d says <strong>Dr. Shawn McCloud<\/strong>, WilmU\u2019s MBA program chair. \u201cWe deliberately use this kind of federal labor data to guide and validate the direction of our program.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>High-growth roles include financial managers, management analysts and market research analysts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMBA graduates consistently earn more than the national average, especially in management and financial roles,\u201d Dr. McCloud says. \u201cEven during economic shifts, the advanced skills you gain through an MBA \u2014 leadership, financial acumen, strategic decision-making \u2014 are in high demand and translate into stronger long-term earning potential.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just ask WilmU MBA graduates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe curriculum in the MBA program is top notch,\u201d says Dr. Pettiford, who also received his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/business\/dba.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DBA<\/a> from the University. \u201cIt will really give students every aspect of the business world that they will need.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id19127_00e2d3-1b{margin-top:0em;}.kb-row-layout-id19127_00e2d3-1b > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id19127_00e2d3-1b > .kt-row-column-wrap) > 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1em;}img[src$=\".svg\"] {  max-width: 220px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19127_123d31-54 kb-section-dir-horizontal wu-img-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image19127_c8cc7e-15:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image19127_c8cc7e-15.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-image19127_c8cc7e-15 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image19127_c8cc7e-15 image-is-svg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"230\" height=\"120\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/wilmu-cta-logo-wu.svg\" alt=\"Wilm U post footer logo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-17727\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 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.kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:#eeeeee;}.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;align-items:stretch;}}.kt-row-column-wrap &gt; .wp-block-kadence-column {align-self: stretch;}.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c &gt; div {  padding-block: 1em;}.kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c p:last-of-type {  -webkit-margin-after: 0;  margin-block-end: 0;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19127_48ec1d-3c kb-section-dir-vertical wu-text-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"NoMargin\" style=\"font-size:1rem\"><em>Advance your career with a Wilmington University <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/business\/mba_index.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Master of Business Administration<\/em><\/a><em> degree or explore the new Executive Pathway MBA, which offers academic credit for your professional experience. <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/admission\/apply-now.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Apply today<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After more than 35 years in financial services, Dr. Keith Pettiford points to his Wilmington University MBA as a turning point in his career, 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