Executive MBA Students Give Rio Businesses an NYC Perspective

Fordham Westchester's Executive MBA Program take on Rio.

Last week students from Westchester’s Executive MBA program presented findings from a survey of New Yorker’s perceptions of Rio de Janeiro to the Rio Visitors's Convention Bureau in Brazil.

The consultation was the capstone project of a summer session led by Professor John Hollwitz, Ph.D. The consult focused on how Rio could increase visitors through tourism and business development. Students presented their findings and a strategic plan on August 20 to professionals from the Visitors and Convention Center system, which included representatives from Rio and several other Brazilian cities.

The legwork for the project was done in New York as preparations for the World Cup were well underway. Students found that while New Yorkers are open to traveling to new places and learning about different cultures, there is substantial reticence of going to Rio due to personal safety concerns.

However, EMBA student Joseph Pirraglia said of 150 New Yorkers the group surveyed, most of those who’d already travelled to Rio would recommend visiting the city and would also like to return for another visit.

In a telephone interview from the conference, Pirraglia said that as a first time visitor to Brazil, he too would like to return. He added that he found Rio’s personal safety issues similar to those in New York.

“You have to watch yourself when you walk around New York at night and that’s pretty much the same in Rio,” he said.

Pirraglia said the group advised the Visitors Bureau that they should attempt to draw parallels between two cities whenever possible and to promote the aspects of the city that New Yorkers might not be aware of.

“Like New York, the community in Rio is more open to people of different nationalities and sexual orientation,” he said.

He said that Rio’s open-minded atmosphere creates niche business opportunities that city should take advantage of, like marketing to the gay and lesbian community.

The study more or less confirmed the findings of previous research.

“The overall impressions I got from many people, including the hotel managers, is that although we were telling them some things they already knew, it was helpful to hear it from a New York perspective,” said EMBA student Kirsten Hase.

Others were impressed that students who had never been to Rio provided such spot-on analysis.

“For a consulting group who is foreign to Brazil, the research and recommendations presented by Fordham were of professional quality and demonstrated a through analysis of the situation we are facing,” said Milton Longobardi, chairman of the Latin American Advisory Board for the Chief Marketing Officers Council.

Fordham Interfaith Zen Sittings

Here are the Fordham Interfaith Zen Sittings for November:

November 3: Sensei Paul Schubert
November 10: Roshi Robert Kennedy, S.J.
Location: The Blessed Rupert Mayer Chapel, Room 221, Lowenstein Center, Lincoln Center campus

November 17: Brenda Shoshanna
Location: To be announced

Time for all events: 6:10 - 7:45 p.m.

Senseis Michael Holleran and Paul Schubert are both dharma heirs of Roshi Robert Kennedy, S.J. Roshi Kennedy studied with the Japanese Zen masters Yamada Roshi and Maezumi Roshi before returning to the tri-state area to study with Bernie Glassman Roshi of the Zen Peacemakers Order. It was Glassman Roshi who decided that it was not necessary to be a Buddhist to become a Zen master. He has given dharma transmission to men and women of a variety of faiths, including Catholics, Jews and Sufis (www.zenpeacemakers.org/about/vision.htm).

Roshi Kennedy's Jesuit mission and Zen teaching and practice are seamless: both are contemplation leading to compassionate action (www.kennedyzen.org). He recently retired as Chair of Theology at St. Peter's College in Jersey City. He is the author of two books: Zen Gifts to Christians and Zen Spirit, Christian Spirit. People of many faiths and none sit with him, including Catholic religious and priests.

Sensei Paul Schubert was a research chemist until he took early retirement in order to teach chemistry (and Zen) in the high schools. He sits with us the first Tuesday of every month, saying a few words and giving daisan (individual meetings to discuss practice).

Sensei Michael Holleran is a Fordham alumnus who became first a Jesuit and then, for 22 years, a Carthusian monk. The Carthusians are an order of hermits who were recently the subject of a documentary, Into Great Silence. Michael's Zen studies with Roshi Kennedy began when he left the order. He is now working as a parish priest here in Manhattan. He visits Fordham Zen group on the fourth Tuesday of every month, giving a talk and daisan.

Brenda Shoshanna is from a different Zen lineage. Raised an orthodox Jew in Borough Park, Brooklyn, she is a Zen student of the Japanese master Eido Roshi. For her recent book, The Jewish Dharma, Roshi Kennedy wrote: "Dr. Brenda Shoshanna flies on two wings: A deep love of orthodox Jewish faith and her Zen practice of 36 years. Her vision embraces both traditions with fidelity and beauty." (www.jewishdharma.com).

Our sittings are free and open to all, no registration required. Beginner instruction is given whenever necessary.

We are sponsored by Campus Ministry. Inisfada, the interfaith Zen center at St. Ignatius Retreat House in Manhasset, continues to loan us cushions for this practice, for which we again thank director Russ Ball. We also thank Roshi Kennedy for his continuing guidance and teaching.

Fordham's Westchester campus now also has a Zen group, sponsored by Campus Ministry Westchester, under the guidance of Carol Gibney and Russ Michel, a dharma student of Roshi Kennedy. Carol can be contacted at (914) 367-3420.

Sheila Ross, Facilitator, Fordham Interfaith Zen

More Than 500 Colleges Sign onto Yellow Ribbon Program

The Chronicle of Higher Education is reporting that starting in fall 2009, veterans will be able to attend more than 500 private colleges and out-of-state public institutions at a reduced price, thanks to a dollar-for-dollar federal matching program created under last year’s GI bill. Monday marked the final day for colleges nationwide to commit to the Yellow Ribbon Program, under which the federal government will match any financial aid that participating colleges provide to veterans above the cost of the most expensive public college in their state. (See: "More Than 500 Colleges Commit to Participate in New Veterans' Program" [Subscription Required])

Fordham is a Yellow Ribbon university (there is an open house at Fordham Westchester this evening). The FordhamVets program ensures that the University is as veterans-friendly as possible. Fordham participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program on all campuses, which covers all tuition and fees for Post 9/11 veterans with full benefit eligibility: http://www.fordham.edu/vets

Contact Lynne O'Connell: (914) 367-3322, lyoconnell@fordham.edu

Fordham Westchester a Sponsor of Leadership Summit

Fordham Westchester was a participant and sponsor of the Not-For-Profit Leadership Summit VII, held in Tarrytown, New York, in May.

This year's gathering, "Navigating Through the Crisis," featured keynote speakers David A. Patterson, governor of New York, and Thomas A. McLaughlin, director of consulting services for the Nonprofit Finance Fund.

Pictured at right is Ron Jacobson, Ph.D., executive director of academic programs at Fordham Westchester, with Governor Patterson.

Inaugural Fordham Westchester EMBA Class

The inaugural Fordham Westchester Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) cohort of 2010 started classes on January 8. The vibrant, dynamic and diverse class consists of 22 executive students (see details below).

The intensive 22-month program is growing in popularity: in Fiscal Year 2005, it generated 1,392 credit hours (AEMBA Cohorts 1 and 2); in Fiscal Year 2009, the EMBA program will generate 2,352 credit hours (AEMBA Cohorts 5, 6 and Westchester Cohort 1). This represents a 69 percent increase in credit hours in a four-year period. GBA anticipates the credit hours to grow in Fiscal Year 2010, as it will have four EMBA cohorts running concurrently for the first time.

Cohort Statistics
Number of Executives in Cohort: 22
Program Tuition: $80,000
Mean Age: 35
Mean Years of Work Experience: 13
Percent Male: 59
Percent Female: 41
Percent Full Financial Sponsorship: 16
Percent Partial Financial Sponsorship: 58
Percent Self Sponsored: 26
Mean Salary: $125,000

Industries Represented in Cohort: finance, insurance, utilities, sports, non-profit, media, medical, pharmaceuticals, banking and packaged goods.

Titles Represented in Cohort: senior director, vice president, associate executive director, content director, sales consultant and chief construction inspector.

Organizations Represented in Cohort: ESPN, Medco Health Solutions, Mastercard, Con Edison, Crossfire Consulting, Academy of Management and WFUV.

Academic Institutions Represented in Cohort: New York Medical College (MPH), University of Maryland, Fordham University, Manhattan College, DePaul University, City College of New York, St. John’s University and Penn State University.

A Matter of Course

Fordham Westchester is offering a new course, "Conquering the Course: Maximize Your Business and Golf Performance," through the Executive Education Program. Patrick Montana, Ph.D., is the instructor.

"There are many similarities in management and golf, as well as in teaching management and golf. Both require strategic thinking, planning, execution, control, evaluation and feedback. Given golf's popularity and global reach as well as its multibillion dollar market, we are constantly seeking ways to nurture this vibrant sport and make it and our business more efficient and effective."

Patrick Montana, Ph.D.

See the Web release for more details on the course.