A business degree from Indiana University Northwest is a respected accomplishment, with its endorsement by AACSB-International, the organization that awards the highest level of accreditation for business schools worldwide. In addition, Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly recently named IU Northwest as the Best University to Obtain an MBA.
Part of what gives the degree its prestige are the extras that come along with the unparalleled instruction. Perks like the opportunity to earn coveted certifications such as in the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology, for instance.
John Gibson, director of graduate/undergraduate Programs and director, Center for Economic Education, said the Spring 2016 Semester was the first time IU Northwest was able to offer this certification to its Weekend MBA students.
“Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a methodology that increases organizational productivity, quality and efficiency which was initially made famous by Jack Welch at GE,” Gibson explained. “More and more companies are looking to utilize statistical tools and data analysis to improve and our student’s ability to earn this certification gives them a unique career edge.”
During their final semester earning their MBAs, four 2016 graduates earned this certification, thereby amping up the prestige of their degree. Accomplished through a series of rigorous exams, they are now “Green Belts” in the LSS methodology. They are: Scott Breckenridge, Matthew Johnson, James Waters and Melissa Deven.
Gibson said Green Belts have the ability to identify worthwhile projects, function as project team leaders, develop and coach team members in LSS tools and strategies and will have the skill and training to solve most process-related problems.
For Jim Waters, a senior maintenance planner for ArcelorMittal, utilizing troubleshooting and problem-solving skills is a part of his everyday job, where he has to logically address a system and analyze the weak points and improve them. He applies this to equipment, processes and procedures.
“Six Sigma provides a systematic approach to problem identification and solving. Because my career relies heavily on problem solving, having a structured tool is invaluable,” Waters explained. “This tool, in turn provides me a competitive advantage over my peers in that I have applied globally practiced a world renowned discipline.”
The Weekend MBA program offers a uniquely flexible opportunity for busy professionals to advance their education while also balancing their careers. Melissa Deven, of Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, said that as a working professional, she really appreciated the opportunity to complete her MBA on a fast-track.
“Juggling both work and full-time school will always be an obstacle, but the option to finish the program within 18 months was accommodating,” she said. “Plus, the Green Belt Certification taught me new statistical methods I can apply to my position at a financial institution. The skills I gained during this process will help me think about new processes at work in a different angle compared to before.”
Matt Johnson, who is the operations planning and scheduling manager for I/N Tek & I/N Kote, a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, is responsible for making sure the company is meeting customer demand and running the units as efficiently as possible. He says his “green belt” will help him approach problem-solving in a more efficient manner.
Johnson said that IU Northwest’s option to earn an MBA in a weekend format over 18 months enabled him to earn this degree. As a working professional, the combination of in-class and online instruction is what he appreciated most about the program.
“I chose to earn an MBA because of my career aspirations to continue gaining responsibility and this is one of the ways to show a commitment to my leadership that I am serious about my career,” Johnson said.
About the School of Business and Economics The region’s longest-running AASCB-accredited public business school, the School of Business and Economics initially earned this certification in 2004. AACSB Accreditation is widely regarded as the highest level of accreditation for business schools. Only 15 percent of business schools domestically and less than 5 percent of business schools internationally earn this prestigious certification of quality. Because of its AACSB International accreditation, the School offers its high achieving students membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Business Honor Society.
