Dear Sonoma State MBA community,
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for all that you have contributed to our MBA program community. Our students and alumni are the heart and soul of our program, and your energy, passion, and commitment inspire us every day.
As we look back on the past academic year, it is clear that many have embraced change and new innovations, from adapting to online learning to exploring new career paths and business opportunities. We too have had to embrace change with the outgoing Dean of JF Coget, who will be remembered and appreciated for the positive impact he brought during his 2-year tenure with SBE. We are happy to welcome the Interim Dean, Michael Visser who was previously the Associate Dean for SBE. Dean Visser brings a lot of institutional knowledge and closely aligns with the values and strategic priorities for our school, especially around inclusive excellence and student success.
The Graduate & Executive Programs Team are committed to supporting our students and alumni in this journey of discovery and innovation. We are constantly looking for new ways to enhance our curriculum, expand our network of partners and supporters, and provide opportunities for learning and growth. Whether through the strengthening of international partnerships (Adelaide University, Kedge Business School), integrating the purpose-driven theme into the MBA program (with thanks to Blair Kellison as our champion), increasing internship and job placement services (with thanks to Karen Thompson leading the Center for Professional Engagement), we are dedicated to helping our community members reach their full potential and achieve their career aspirations.
I would like to thank ChatGPT, a language model assistant, for helping me draft this newsletter. As we embrace new technologies and innovations, I recognize the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving our goals, and especially in understanding how tools such as ChatGPT may enhance our abilities such as communication. Rather than shy away from such tools that could be perceived as a threat to the world of learning and business, I believe we can embrace these technologies especially if we do it with consideration and intentionality.
“ChatGPT can help business professionals improve communication, increase productivity, and save time and money. As technology continues to evolve, incorporating AI-powered tools like ChatGPT into business workflows can help organizations stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in the marketplace.
While ChatGPT offers many benefits for business professionals, there are also some challenges and considerations to keep in mind. One key challenge is the potential for bias in the AI model, as it may reflect the biases and limitations of the data it was trained on. Additionally, it may not be able to understand complex nuances and context that a human would. Businesses should also consider the ethical implications of using AI-generated content, such as potential copyright or plagiarism concerns. Therefore, it is important to use ChatGPT as a tool to assist, rather than replace, human input and review.” (ChatGPT)
Thank you again for your ongoing support and engagement, and we look forward to staying connected with you through MBA Connect.
Best regards,
Soo Haylett
Executive Director, Graduate & Executive Programs