Find out how 1 prof helped design a new EDBA program while doing aerial silks in her spare time
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It’s rare for an assistant professor with a three-year tenure at a particular university to be able to say they’ve a) helped shape an entirely new doctoral program (the UNA EDBA), b) won a College of Business Faculty Research Award and c) helped start a Women in Business group. But for Dr. Erin Gillespie, that’s all in a day’s work. Keep reading to learn more about Gillespie and her role in shaping the University of North Alabama’s new Executive Doctor of Business Administration program.
Meet Dr. Erin Gillespie
Originally from Roanoke, Alabama, a small town close to the Georgia line, Gillespie did her undergrad and MBA at Auburn University. From there, she worked in advertising in Atlanta, did pharmaceutical sales in northwest Alabama, then got her PhD at the University of Mississippi.
Her husband is a farmer, and they are the proud parents of two precious little girls. In her spare time, Gillespie enjoys aerial silks, playing the piano and supporting her children’s musical instrument collection. Between them, they have a violin, guitar, ukulele, numerous flutes, a piano, and she likes to joke about how a family band called “The Gillespie Girls” has a nice ring to it.
At UNA, she teaches undergrad business students, marketing strategy to MBA students and soon will be teaching advanced qualitative analysis to EDBA students. She also serves as the Corporate & Student Engagement Coordinator at the Steele Center for Professional Selling.
We interviewed Dr. Gillespie to find out more about UNA’s EDBA program
Bham Now: What is your role with the EDBA program?
Gillespie: I’ve been with the EDBA leadership team every step of the way since the beginning. We took it from the very beginnings of an idea to building, shaping, then launching it. It’s been such an interesting process to see all that goes into creating a program of that substance.
In the fall, I’ll be teaching advanced qualitative analysis to the EDBA students.
Bham Now: What are you most excited about with regard to the EDBA program?
Gillespie: Definitely the people. I’ve gotten to meet several of the students at dinners during their residency weekends here on campus. It’s a diverse and impressive group. I’m so excited about getting to know them more. Already from talking to them, I can tell they bring such interesting backgrounds and work experience. A lot of them have young families, too.
I can’t wait to dig in and find out what’s going on with their jobs and careers. I want to help them design their research so they’ll have some new, interesting insights to bring back.
Is UNA’s Executive Doctor of Business Administration for you?
The University of North Alabama’s College of Business’s EDBA is an applied program that trains and equips people to make a difference in the real world of business. That said, here are some of the things that make UNA’s EDBA stand out:
✅ Cost: At $33,030 per year for 3 years, the program is competitively priced.
✅ Quality: UNA is among the 5% of business schools in the world to hold the prestigious AASCB accreditation.
✅ Flexibility: most of the program is online, with monthly in-person weekend sessions on the UNA campus.
Learn more about this exciting new program:
- New Executive Doctor of Business Administration is the only one of its type in Alabama. Is it your next career step?
- 3 reasons why this professional enrolled in UNA’s 1st-ever EDBA class
- Why these 2 profs are eager to welcome the 1st cohort to UNA’s new EDBA program
- How these 6 business leaders are upping their game with executive education now
Want more info on UNA’s EDBA program? Request info here or check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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