Mays MasterCast

Students Only! Mays MBA Association (MBAA)

Full-Time MBA students and Mays MBA Association (MBAA) members, 

Connor Reyer (MBAA President), Shrey Bajaj (former MBAA President), Erin Evans, and TJ Daly, appear on the first episode of MasterCast: Students Only. As full-time MBA students as well as serving on the MBAA student board, they have countless amounts of insights that they dive in on. They explain the day-to-day of being in their program, as well as how to fit free time into your busy schedule and how the MBA Association has pushed them further to reaching their career goals. These students exemplify the spirit and work ethic that every student requires in this program, and give advice for those who hope to apply in the future.

The MBA Association (MBAA) supports academic engagement and professional development throughout the year to foster continuous growth. This group also sponsors networking events, including trivia contests, happy hours, bowling, tailgate parties, and a number of annual events – MBA Follies, Brisket Bowl, and The Big Event.

“MasterCast: Students Only” brings in 3 to 4 Masters students answering pre-written questions about what it’s like to be a masters student at Mays Business School.

Authenticity with Sarah Jaks, Associate Director for the Full-Time MBA Program

Sarah Jaks, Associate Director for the Full-Time MBA Program at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School, is set on staying authentic throughout every aspect of life, whether work, volunteer activities, or being with friends and family. Jaks dives into her journey into student affairs and how her authentic leadership style allows her to thrive in her role. Additionally, she shares what sets Mays Business School’s Full-Time MBA Program apart and how students transform during their time in the program.

Bio:

Sarah Jaks serves as the Associate Director for the Full-Time MBA Program at Mays Business School. She oversees the development, administration, and implementation of programs and services to provide a supportive educational environment for students in the MBA Program. She came to Texas A&M for her Masters’ degree in 2009 and has since earned her PhD from Texas A&M in 2020. Prior to joining Mays in 2017, Sarah worked for 8 years in the Department of Student Life.

Not Afraid To Fail with Jerry Strawser, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs

Serving as Dean of Mays Business School, Interim Provost, Executive VP, and CFO at Texas A&M, Jerry Strawser is no stranger when it comes to the ins and outs of this university. He has served on the academic and administrative sides, and deep dives into his countless responsibilities he has had the opportunity to obtain. Whether that be allocating money or even making high stake decisions for the students and faculty, Strawser handles his positions with efficiency and pride. He has always been keen on the Master’s program at Mays Business School, and explains what key factors pull students into College Station. Strawser’s passion for this university and student body cannot be contained, as he discusses what makes Texas A&M such a special school to be a part of.

Bio: 

Jerry Strawser received his BBA, MS, and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University, and has served at Texas A&M University since 2001, holding positions of Dean of Mays Business School, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and currently KPMG Chair of Accounting and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. Prior to Texas A&M, served on faculty at University of Houston, Louisiana State University, and had professional experience with Deloitte and Arthur Andersen. 

Become An Active Learner with Duane Ireland, Former Interim Dean

From being the President of the Academy of Management to the countless awards for research and service he has received, Dr. Duane Ireland has proven himself to be a distinguished professor here at Mays Business School. He dives into his experience as the Editor of the Academy of Management Journal, and the devotion that is essential when possessing this honorable position. He also discusses encouraging entrepreneurship, as well as why his family plays just as much of a vital role in his career decisions as he does. Dr. Ireland stands by the importance of continual learning, as every experience can be viewed as a valuable learning opportunity.

 

Bio:

Dr. R. Duane Ireland completed his PhD at Texas Tech University in 1977 and started his career at Oklahoma State University. After six years, he and his wife then spent 17 years at Baylor University followed by four years at the University of Richmond prior to moving to Texas A&M University in July of 2004. He has been honored to serve as the editor of the Academy of Management Journal and as president of the Academy of Management. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Management and of the Strategic Management Society. He is a University Distinguished Professor and the holder of the Benton Cocanougher Chair in Business. He has received multiple awards for research and service contributions from Mays, Texas A&M University, and various societies.

 

Chapters:

0:19: NFL’s $15M Man Story

1:26: Education & Start of Career

3:24: Innovation Research

6:38: Empowering Entrepreneurship

10:58: Academic Journey

14:00: Family Decisions

16:10: A Love For Running

21:06: Editor of AMJ

24:50: Active Learning

29:43: Aggie Core Values

33:35: Good Bull

Do Meaningful Work with Julie Hartman ’22 & Susan Repka

Julie Hartman and Susan Repka, co-founders of B2GVictory, were determined to create something meaningful in their careers. They are driven entrepreneurs whose passion about supporting growing small businesses is hard to go unnoticed. While getting her MBA at Texas A&M, Hartman explains the many influences that Mays has had on the creation of her company. Hartman and Repka dive into the twists and turns of their career journeys, and how you can never expect what might come next.

 

Bio:

Julie Hartman is an award-winning communication and marketing professional with more than 25 years of experience in corporate marketing and internal communications. Her real estate marketing portfolio includes master developers, architects, construction companies, commercial and multi-family projects. Susan Repka has over 20 years of working with small businesses to grow their capacity, through education, connections, resources and networking. Her focus since 2018 has been assisting small businesses with government contracting opportunities.

 

Chapters:

0:23 How Julie and Susan Met
2:42 Creation of B2GVictory
5:58 Source of Their Passion
9:20 Day To Day Operations
14:24 Supporting Small Businesses
16:33 Julie Hartman’s Journey
19:43 Susan Repka’s Journey
20:53 Mays connection to B2GVictory
23:17 Career Changes
26:30 Next For B2GVictory
29:34 Good Bull

Making a Difference: from Navy SEAL to Mays MBA with Jason Hitchcock ’22

Retired Navy SEAL and now Rmada United Founder and Managing Partner, Jason Hitchcock shares with Ben his life as a SEAL, the wonders of Mays’ MBA Program, and the obstacles he has had to overcome to get to where he is now. By being faithful, trusting the network, and learning how to become a good leader and better follower, Hitchcock is determined to make a difference. With his experience and extravagant background, Hitchcock is already changing the world for the next generation. 

 

Chapters: 

0:25 27 Years as a Navy SEAL

4:36 Retirement & Career Goals

8:03 Rmada United

10:00 Leading Well, Following Better

11:40 Necessity of MBA

14:00 MBA Meets Rmada

17:08 Startup Struggles

20:15 Innovation and Missions 

24:12 Stigmas

26:18 What’s Next and Good Bull

Not a Coincidence with Dr. Mac (Stephen McDaniel) ’72

Dr. Mac has been with the university for 42 years (A-Whoop)! During his time in College Station, he has learned from, grown with, and shaped the lives of hundreds of students from all sorts of backgrounds. Dr. Mac lives a faith-centered life and continues to impact the “special” students on campus. From being the faculty advisor for numerous student organizations to leading the Marketing study abroad, Dr. Mac has been intentional with his time here at Texas A&M, and we are glad he shares the best snippets of his life on Mays MasterCast. 

 

Chapters: 

0:30 42 years of Texas A&M University

3:35 Student Organizations

5:09 A Faith-Centered Life

11:22 Teaching

15:10 Dr. Mac’s Advice to Young Executives & Academia 

18:57 Interactions with Former Students 

24:47 Students & Faith

29:35 Having the Tough Conversations 

31:50 Study Abroad

35:20 Good Bull

The Power of Blue Bell Ice Cream with Sarah Stuber

South Carolina native and Clemson graduate, Sarah Stuber has a knack for being on a college campus. From her time spent traveling for jobs to traveling with her retired military husband, Stuber has always found herself in pursuit of a career with a university. Her cross-country travel has finally led her to the greatest place on Earth, Aggieland, where she gets to teach and further her insurance and banking research. Blue Bell Ice Cream and the current students on campus seemed to hook and reel Stuber in, and she would not have it any other way. Stuber challenges work/ life balances and their stigmas, and learns the importance of making things work for her and her family. We learn about Stuber’s current research and how she is continuing to make real impacts in the lives of students and in her Aggie community.

Chapters:

0:20 The Most Interesting Thing About Sarah
2:20 The Beginning of the Journey
6:35 North Dakota
10:36 Michigan
11:48 Statistically Significant
15:12 Success with Publication
16:20 Ice Cream and Texas
19:12 Student Caliber and Continuing Publication
22:09 Shaped by Dissertation
24:08 Disagreements on Work/Life Balance and Gender Differences
27:07 Current Research
30:39 Good Bull