Hispanic Business Magazine has named UNM’s Anderson School of Management the nation’s sixth best graduate business school for Hispanic students for the second year in a row.
This honor measures schools’ effectiveness in attracting Hispanic
students and providing them with academic support.
Doug Brown, dean of Anderson School of Management, said the recognition is flattering, but there is always room for improvement.
“(We’re) pleased, but not satisfied,” Brown said.
He said the school is working to increase the number of Hispanic faculty. The school has six full-time Hispanic professors, two of which were hired this year, and one part-time professor.
“They are wonderful role models and particularly good professors,” Brown said.
Brown said strong Hispanic recruitment is equally as important as making sure students are comfortable and supported.
“We hope to provide a nurturing and encouraging climate and hopefully leading to career success for all of our students,” Brown said.
John Benavidez, a marketing professor and UNM Anderson School of Management, leads graduate and undergraduate students in real-world marketing projects that have brought top honors to UNM. He said UNM business students are among the nation’s brightest.
“The thing about New Mexico is that we are so isolated from big business, so our students don’t get a lot of exposure here,” Benavidez said. The Cadillac National Case Study Competition, held annually in Detroit, Mich., gives students an opportunity to get real-world exposure.
Anderson, which has competed three consecutive years, won in 2005 and 2006.
A team of MBA students, led by Benavidez, present their marketing idea to top executives at General Motors. The students compete against schools such as Loyola University, Tulane University, University of Mississippi, Clemson University and others.
“Anderson offers a lot of experiential learning opportunities that you’re not even guaranteed to get at larger universities,” Benavidez said.
Anderson is also teaming up with Albuquerque’s Hispano Chamber of Commerce to host a “Hispano MBA Day,” an event aimed at improving Hispanic recruitment.
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Nicole Guevera, a second-year Anderson undergraduate student, said keeping students at UNM is in the University’s best interest.
“The ranking is a huge incentive to continue my education in Anderson’s MBA program,” Guevera said. “I think that being ranked among the top 10 shows that Anderson … is better for all their students, Hispanic or not, because we’re learning how to conduct business with diverse communities.”
