After a successful 22-year career working to transform organizations using digital technologies and rising to various leadership roles, Govindarajan Srinivasan (Govind), NIU Executive MBA alumnus ‘21 was looking to have a broader impact after holding several data analytics roles at companies including Discover Financial Services and Nielsen.
“We were in the midst of the COVID-19 [lockdowns] and I knew it was time to invest in myself,” said Govind. “Early in my career, most of my roles were technical in nature where I was an individual contributor. As I took on managerial responsibilities, my abilities to harness the power of teams became more important. And I acquired these skills on the job. But as I continue my journey to be a leader and take on senior strategic roles, I realized the value and importance of formal education.”
With this in mind, he set out to explore various program options in the greater Chicago region. After many hours invested in researching programs, he ultimately made the decision to enroll in the NIU Executive MBA program in fall 2020. Reflecting on his decision, Govind said, “It was by far one of the best decisions I have made.”
Govind also had another major consideration in his decision. Being family-oriented, raised and currently living in a multigenerational family, he had to factor the impact of him joining our program on his family. Watching his two daughters balance their schoolwork, extracurricular activities and family life impressed him and he thought, “If they can do it, I can do it, too.”
However, Govind was realistic about the time commitment.
“You can’t put a pause on work or family or other dimensions,” he explained. “There is still chauffeuring to take my child to chess, swimming, and violin lessons. I am very fortunate to have a supportive wife, as well as a supportive cohort and team in the EMBA program.”
Reflecting on his peers and team in our EMBA program, Govind noted, “Our team got along so well. It was inspiring to be in a team of aspiring and passionate leaders. They backed me, supported me but also challenged me to push the boundaries of excellence.”
In the interconnected global economy, successful leaders are those that are knowledgeable about different cultures and norms. In this vein, Govind noted that the international residency immersion trip was an incredible opportunity. EMBA students are immersed in a nine-day international trip focused on international business and local cultural experiences. Students hear directly from senior leadership and receive exclusive, behind-the-scenes views of global companies.
“Our international immersion residency trip was to Croatia and Greece. It was a trip of a lifetime both for the sights and scenery as well as learning,” added Govind. Other international immersion experiences have included Singapore, Bangkok, Paris, Switzerland, Germany, China and Australia, just to name a few.
Our Executive MBA program uses a cohort model which allows for a group of about 20 students to move through the program together taking the same classes with the same group of people for the program duration. This cohort is an instant network for students.
Our program has already yielded impactful results for graduates. In 2021, Govind was hired as Director of Data Engineering, Data Platform & Analytics, for PPL Corporation, a leading U.S. energy company headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Govind credits the EMBA program as a key factor for his ability to take on leadership roles. “The Executive MBA program has given me an extraordinary foundation to be a transformational leader. With a focus on creating an entrepreneurial, growth, global and transformational mindset, the program also challenged us to connect our work experiences to learning. The diversity of backgrounds of my peers was instrumental in creating new insights for all of us.”
“We are proud of Govind and his accomplishments. Success stories of our alumni like Govind inspire us to continuously improve our program to stay at the cutting edge,” said Dean Balaji Rajagopalan. “Our focus is on creating a set of experiences that have a transformative impact on our students. Whether it is applying their knowledge to build a strategic plan for a health care startup incubated at MATTER, or their visit to international destinations to explore a different culture, students learn by doing.”
Govind added that the faculty and staff were outstanding. “You will be amazed at the support you get from the program,” he said. He is especially appreciative of several of his professors including Amanda Ferguson, Mark McDonald, Tim Diamond, Vijay Krishnan, Jon Briscoe and Mahesh Subramony. “My professors combined their research-informed knowledge with real industry experience and delivered outstanding experiences,” he stated. “I feel more prepared and ready for the future. With the grit of a Huskie, I am ready to take on the toughest of challenges.”
As he hears stories of the phenomenal impact of the EMBA program on our graduates, assistant dean for Graduate Business Programs Anthony Preston beams with pride and notes, “The ultimate litmus test of our program is the impact it has on our graduates. And by that most important measure, we have far exceeded expectations.” Having led the portfolio of M.B.A. programs for several years, assistant dean Preston sees a bright future for the EMBA program and notes that his confidence is backed by evidence that the graduates of our program compete with the very best in their organizations and emerge on top. And he adds, “We never rest on our laurels and, as such, will continue to push the boundaries of innovation to be at the cutting edge and create value for our students.”
About Govind Srinivasan: In his free time, Govind enjoys swimming and playing racquet sports such as tennis, pickleball, badminton and table tennis. He also enjoys watching Tamil movies. He even makes time to volunteer at First Lego League where he and his wife lead a group of students and teach them life lessons through innovative STEM activities. You can find his LinkedIn profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govindraghu/.
About the Executive MBA Program: To learn more, visit: https://www.cob.niu.edu/academics/mba/executive/index.shtml.
