New Book Lists Robinson Among Elite MBA Programs

December 2, 2004 – The J. Mack Robinson College of Business has been recognized as one of twelve nationally ranked schools that are redefining business education in the newly published book, Elite MBA Programs at Public Universities: How a Dozen Innovative Schools Are Redefining Business Education (Praeger Publishers) by Mimi Wolverton and Larry Edward Penley. According to the authors, business schools like Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern and Penn are the most recognizable names in higher education with elite graduate-level business schools. However, the preponderance of MBA programs and of graduate business students are found at public universities which may or may not possess long histories and extraordinarily large funding bases. In addition, Wolverton and Penley are quick to point out that “some of the country’s most highly rated business schools and programs are actually housed at public universities.” In addition to Robinson, the book features in-depth case studies from 12 of the country’s top business schools including Purdue University’s Krannert Graduate School of Management; the University of Washington Business School; and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Wolverton, associate professor and Higher Education Administration Program Coordinator a the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Penley, president of Colorado State University and Chancellor of the system conducted extensive research to identify the qualities of public institutions across the country that have successfully established competitive advantages through a combination of cost leadership, differentiation, and focus. The J. Mack Robinson College of Business is ranked one of the world’s best business schools. The College's Flex (part-time) MBA program has been listed in the top ten by U.S. News for the past nine consecutive years and its undergraduate business program is ranked among the top 50 in the nation. The College’s Executive MBA program is ranked among the 50 top programs worldwide by The Financial Times and BusinessWeek magazine ranks it 24th in the world. Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business has an enrollment for more than 8000 students and is located in downtown Atlanta.