Ten years ago, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education approved a program request by the College of Charleston School of Business to establish a Master of Business Administration program. Unlike other programs in the state, the College of Charleston’s MBA program was designed to be a concentrated one-year, full-time day program.

A total of 35 students enrolled in the inaugural class. Quite a bit has changed in 10 years.

During this short period of time, the College’s MBA program has developed into one of the top programs in the United States, receiving both national attention and honors.

Recently, more than 100 students, alumni, faculty, staff and community partners gathered to celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary milestone.

“We have a lot to be proud of,” said School of Business Dean Alan Shao during the MBA celebration on Sept. 25, 2019. “In just 10 years, our program has been named a Top 100 MBA and ranked first in the nation for job placement by U.S. News and World Report. Since 2010, we’ve nearly doubled the size of our cohort and continue to receive accolades that speak to the quality of our programs.”

Director of MBA and Professional Programs Ron Magnuson announced during the celebration that the MBA program will establish a hall of fame. He says the site, located in the Tate Center, will display the awards that have been presented to MBA students and faculty over the past decade.

College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu congratulated Shao for the success of the program.

“It goes without saying that the MBA program would not be what it is today without the vision and support of Dean Alan Shao,” Hsu said.


Featured image: School of Business Dean Alan Shao talks with College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu and MBA director Ron Magnuson. (Photo by Michael Wiser)