How Pepperdine's MBA School Goes Up Against the Big Names

You've likely heard of Pepperdine, but maybe not its business school -- Graziadio. I wasn't sure how to pronounce it, and the Associate Dean of Full-Time MBA Programs tells me it's like Graz-ee-ah-De-o, which translates to thanks to God.
Dr Mark Mallinger says there's more one-on-one opportunity for students than you'll find at the big name schools, like Harvard. He says the faculty is committed to student development. The goal of the school is collaborative, rather than competitive. He says that atmosphere enhances the ability for students to creative a collaborative network.
Mallinger says the students who take initiative to demonstrate their leadership abilities, end up doing as well as students from reputational schools. For example, the two-year MBA students who he's identified as leaders who have recently graduated "and almost in every case, they already have had, they've got their jobs." He says they're working at AT&T, Bank of America, consulting firms and other companies that have worked with the students in internship positions.
Mallinger admits that having a campus in Malibu may slow some students from making contacts and taking those leadership roles. I asked him to compare what students get at Graziadio versus a big name MBA school -- and he says their students get an experience-driven education that develops ethical leaders who can create solutions for business challenges. The small class size, opportunity to develop skills while working in teams, and close faculty focus makes the school unique. You'll be able to hear the finished show in a few weeks on MBA Podcaster.