Knauss School of Business Welcomes Inaugural Flex MBA Cohort

This spring, the Knauss School of Business welcomed its inaugural Flex MBA class, one of the most diverse MBA cohorts yet — they’re multigenerational, multiracial and multifaceted. Ranging in age from early 20s to early 60s, the Flex MBA cohort has an average age of 34 and more than half identify as Black, Hispanic or Asian. More than one-third are veterans and collectively, they have an average of seven and a half years of work experience, bringing robust professional insights to the classroom. Students currently work at the Port of San Diego, Booz Allen Hamilton, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Collins Aerospace, to name a few.

The Flex MBA program made news for its innovative incentive to encourage students from across California to apply to be part of the inaugural cohort. 

“I joined the Spring 2023 Flex MBA cohort due to its weekend scheduling, academically rigorous courses, ability to go abroad for a consulting project, and sustainability and social responsibility courses that are baked into the curriculum,” says Molly Pero, an incoming Flex MBA student.  

This spring, the Knauss School introduced its Flex MBA, a hybrid format of its traditional MBA program geared toward students who want to continue working during the program. Instead of attending classes full-time and in person, students enroll part-time and take classes online accompanied by one weekend residence per month on campus. This new, flexible format aims to make the MBA program more diverse by accommodating people with demanding schedules and pre-existing commitments, bringing a unique life perspective and various levels of business experience to the classroom. 

What lies ahead for this brilliant class of Flex MBA students? 

“My post-graduation career goals are working towards attaining a high-level decision-making role within a sustainable or energy conscious company or consulting firm, pioneering the business world towards a more earth friendly and profitable future,” says Flex MBA student Bryce Fledderman.