Willamette University MBA

05/29/2026

Where would our MBA graduates be without the support of their friends and loved ones? 🎓

05/28/2026

Throwback to this spring break, when Willamette MBA students traveled to Japan as part of our Global Management in Japan course! ✈️🇯🇵

One of the unique benefits of the Willamette MBA experience is the opportunity to participate in international study abroad experiences. With two global learning opportunities offered each academic year, students gain firsthand insight into how business is conducted around the world.

Join us on a mini travel vlog with Ian Sherwood, MBA for Professionals Class of ‘26:

“Japan has a way of pulling you back. I’d lived there twice as an exchange student—high school in southern Japan, college in Osaka—so when Willamette’s MBA program offered a study abroad trip, it was an easy yes.

I reconnected with my old host family, revisited places I hadn’t seen in years, and even got to meet the head of Nike Japan. I also heard the U.S. Ambassador to Japan speak, which was pretty remarkable. The bonds I built with my classmates along the way are ones I’ll carry long after graduation.

Willamette’s MBA program doesn’t just teach international business, it lets you experience it.”

From meeting global business leaders to building lifelong connections with classmates, these experiences help prepare our students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world. 🌏

05/27/2026

Did you know your employer may help pay for your MBA?

Many employers offer tuition support, but often, all it takes is making a strong business case. A Willamette MBA for Professionals doesn’t just support your growth, it can create immediate value for your organization through:

✔️ Real-world learning you can apply at work right away
✔️ Stronger decision-making and analytical skills
✔️ Better collaboration across teams and departments
✔️ Leadership development that helps organizations grow from within

To help you start the conversation, we created a free Employer Support Toolkit with:
Talking points, a sample email, and an “ask” script for approaching your employer.

🔗 Get the toolkit: https://grad-apply.willamette.edu/register/?id=f2f04aef-55a9-46ac-8e0a-e81f4c688835&utm_source=social&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=employer-toolkit

05/26/2026

What an incredible evening reflecting on the impact of this year’s Philanthropic Investors Class for Community Impact (PICI) at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management.

On April 15, MBA students, nonprofit leaders, faculty, and community partners gathered at the Cat Cavern to celebrate the awarding of $50,000 in FAST grant funding to organizations serving communities across the Mid-Willamette Valley.

This year’s grant recipients included:
▪️ Elsinore Theatre - $20,000
▪️ Salem Free Clinics - $12,000
▪️ Salem Harvest - $10,000
▪️ Church at the Park - $5,000
▪️ Alzheimer's Network of Oregon - $3,000

A huge thank you to United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley and CEO Rhonda Wolf for their continued partnership and support of this program. Their generosity makes it possible for Willamette MBA students to engage directly with nonprofit organizations and invest in projects that create meaningful community impact.

Throughout the year, students in the PICI course worked closely with organizations across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties by reviewing applications, conducting site visits, evaluating community needs, and ultimately selecting projects that will directly support seniors, low-income individuals, unhoused neighbors, people living with disabilities, and underserved communities throughout the region.

What makes this program especially meaningful is that it goes far beyond the classroom. Students gain hands-on experience in leadership, philanthropy, strategic decision-making, nonprofit evaluation, and community engagement while building relationships with organizations doing critical work across the Willamette Valley.

We also want to recognize Ron Hayes and Deborah Ringold, whose vision helped establish the PICI program in 2016. Nearly a decade later, the program continues to thrive and has now contributed more than $1.2 million in community funding over its lifetime.

This is experiential learning at its best, students learning by doing while helping strengthen the communities around them.

05/25/2026

Today, the Atkinson Graduate School of Management is closed in observance of Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

As we enjoy the holiday, we pause to remember and honor the brave individuals who gave their lives in service to our country. Wishing our AGSM community a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/21/2026

The future of business needs leaders who understand finance, accounting, and technology.

Launching this fall, Willamette University’s new one-year Master’s in Accounting & Finance prepares students to thrive in a rapidly changing economy by combining two powerful disciplines into one innovative degree.

Unlike traditional programs, Willamette’s MS in Accounting & Finance blends accounting, finance, technology, automation, and AI tools.

Students gain hands-on experience through real-world learning opportunities like:
• Managing live investment portfolios
• Participating in the Angel Fund
• Working on social impact investing projects

Graduates will be prepared for careers in:
▪️ Corporate finance
▪️ Public accounting
▪️ Investment analysis
▪️ Banking & risk management
▪️ Internal audit & compliance
…and future leadership roles like Finance Manager, Controller, or CFO.

With coursework designed to support CPA and CFA preparation, plus training in automation, coding, and computational thinking, this program equips students with the technical and strategic skills employers are looking for now.

Complete your degree in just one year and study at Oregon’s top MBA school. The future of finance is evolving. Be ready to lead it. Learn more: https://willamette.edu/academics/mba/ms-accounting-finance/

05/20/2026

05/19/2026

Congratulations Michael Woolfolk MBA’90 on assuming command of the Civil Air Patrol’s New York Wing during a ceremony at Hancock Air National Guard Base.

The ceremony at Hancock Air National Guard Base marks a leadership transition as Woolfolk brings over 15 years of Civil Air Patrol experience to the role.

05/18/2026

Save the date!

ICYMI: AI is already shaping how startups build, launch, and grow. The real question for founders now is how to use it responsibly without slowing down.

This June, Oregon Entrepreneurs Network PubTalk, hosted by Willamette University MBA, is bringing founders into a practical conversation about what that actually looks like in real companies.

Happening Wednesday, June 10th, this event will dive into the decisions founders are making every day. How to reduce bias in products. How to handle user data with care. How to stay accountable while still moving fast.

Expect real stories, honest lessons, and takeaways you can apply right away.

If you are building with AI or thinking about it, this is a room you will want to be in.

Find out more and register here >>> https://oen.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=460&

05/18/2026

Reflecting on Commencement and the incredible student speech from Papa Amelemah MBA’26. 🎓

Papa came to Willamette with a background in insurance and a desire to grow at the intersection of law, leadership, and business strategy. During his time at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management (AGSM), he embraced every opportunity, from immersive global learning experiences to leadership development and building lifelong connections within the Willamette MBA community.

In his speech, Papa reflected on the power of community, growth, and pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. His words were thoughtful, inspiring, and a beautiful representation of the spirit of the Early Career & Career Change Willamette MBA experience.

Thank you, Papa, for your leadership, heart, and impact on the AGSM community. Wishing you and the rest of the Class of 2026 all the best on your next adventure!