Drucker School’s Practice of Management Program completes successful pilot year

The Drucker School of Management recently launched its second year of the Practice of Management (POM) program. POM teaches students critical management skills in an applied, hands-on setting. The first year develops students’ skills in communication, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, teamwork, and self-management; the second year places students in hand-picked teams, to work on a challenge of strategic importance, for a firm in the creative industries.

With its pilot year now complete, POM has added some features as permanent components of the program The first-year MBA courses, for example, now include intensive assessment and directed coaching in the area of self-development and emotional intelligence. The students work with two coaches, one focusing on their personal growth, the other working more closely with students on team dynamics. Some of the students in the course are also part of a pilot assessment in partnership with CGU’s Division of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences. The comprehensive assessment will measure student’s skill levels when they enter the program and just before they graduate.

Last year’s successful pilot with a large local biotech firm now complete, and with the official launch this year of its second-year strategic projects, the program now consists of a full slate of courses, for both years. Several firms are being considered for the second-year projects (which will kick off in the spring of 2014), with one officially signed.

The Practice of Management program is looking to extend its reach with sponsoring organizations. If you know of an organization that would like help solving a strategic challenge, please get in touch with the Director of the program, Hovig Tchalian at hovig.tchalian@cgu.edu.

We at the Drucker School look forward to another exciting year for the school, its students, and alumni.