By Adriana Betancourt
Bennett “Ben” Piscopo’s journey reflects a strong commitment to learning, leadership and student success. He recently earned his MBA from NIU, reinforcing the idea that growth and learning are ongoing. As the director of operations for graduate business programs and global initiatives in NIU’s College of Business, he helps create meaningful opportunities for our students.
Piscopo’s passion for global learning is rooted in his own academic journey. He earned dual degrees in international business and Spanish language and literature from Loyola University Chicago, during which he completed two study abroad programs in Spain. His experiences prove that stepping outside your comfort zone and being open to new perspectives can have a lasting impact on how you understand the world around you.
Q: You have a strong global focus on your work and professional background. How have language and cultural experience influenced your interest in global initiatives?
A: I started learning Spanish in high school to meet the mandatory language requirement, and I quickly fell in love with it. Knowing Spanish allowed me to connect with non-English speakers at my part-time restaurant job and introduced me to many beautiful cultures. I continued studying Spanish beyond the minimum requirement and took my first international trip the summer after high school, visiting my sister-in-law’s family in Mexico. The warmth of Mexican culture was even more motivating for my progress in the language.
That fall, I enrolled at Loyola University Chicago and pursued Spanish as my minor. After completing a monthlong homestay with an incredible family in Córdoba, Spain, during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years, I returned home with an even stronger passion for the language and desire to experience the cultures associated with it. I registered for a semesterlong abroad program in Sevilla, Spain, and came back declaring Spanish language and literature as my second major, supporting my international business program. While Spanish was my passion, I continued my studies in business for the opportunities it offered to build connections, make an impact and earn a stable living.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about supporting graduate students and global initiatives within the College of Business?
A: My favorite part about my role is creating opportunities for students to have the same life-changing experiences abroad that carved my path and defined who I am today.
I also recognize that travel is a privilege that many may not be able to attain, so I enjoy supporting cultural immersion opportunities here on campus by way of welcoming international students and visitors and fostering environments where diverse perspectives are shared and celebrated.
Another especially rewarding aspect of my work is supporting NIU’s international cohorts in Colombia and other countries. These programs allow us to connect with talented professionals across industries and cultures and strengthen NIU’s global network. Building connections with students and professionals across different countries and cultures has made the work especially meaningful to me.
Q: What motivated you to pursue your MBA at NIU while working full-time?
A: Beyond the employee tuition benefits and career advancement opportunities that come with earning a master’s degree, I pursued my MBA at NIU because I see myself as a lifelong learner. Having worked alongside the faculty in the program for two years before enrolling, I was especially excited for the opportunity to learn from them directly and experience the program from a student’s perspective.
By that point, I had also worked closely with several cohorts of students, and their stories were incredibly inspiring. Many of them encouraged me to take the leap and shared how transformative the program had been for them. While some earned promotions and others pivoted into new roles, they all walked away more developed, more capable and more confident than when they began. Seeing their growth firsthand reinforced my decision to pursue my MBA while continuing to work full time.
Q: Are there any courses, projects, or professors that have had a particularly strong impact on you so far?
A: I’ve learned a lot from each professor and found something valuable in every class, but my favorite projects have been those that offered opportunities for hands-on learning and collaboration. For example, in MKTG 654 – Marketing Management, I completed a simulation in which my team and I created a carbon-fiber bicycle company and competed against our classmates in a fictional global market.
The exercise required us to think holistically about how to launch and manage a business, including understanding customer needs and making strategic decisions in a competitive environment. It was a very engaging activity that reinforced the importance of aligning strategy, execution and market responsiveness in business decision-making.
Q: What skills or knowledge have you gained through the MBA that you’ve already applied in your work?
A: In addition to strengthening my understanding of core business disciplines, the MBA has helped me become a more strategic thinker. I’ve learned how to step back, evaluate challenges from multiple perspectives and make decisions with a broader organizational mindset.
That perspective has been especially valuable in my role supporting graduate programs and international initiatives, in which balancing operational execution with long-term strategic goals is critical. The program has sharpened both my analytical and leadership skills and has influenced how I approach collaboration, problem-solving and decision-making in my work.
Q: Your work involves global initiatives. Why is a global perspective important in business education today?
A: Having a global perspective is incredibly important in all aspects of life, and especially useful in business. It is essential because organizations, industries and markets are more interconnected than ever before. Exposure to different cultures, viewpoints and business practices helps individuals become more adaptable, collaborative and effective leaders.
Many doors have opened for me by being open to new experiences and connecting with people from different backgrounds. Global learning not only broadens your perspective, but also strengthens your ability to navigate complexity, communicate cross-culturally and approach challenges with more empathy and creativity.
Q: How do global initiatives such as international partnerships or study abroad experiences enhance the graduate student experience at NIU?
A: International partnerships and study abroad experiences enhance the graduate student experience at NIU by providing exposure to diverse business environments, cultural perspectives and global networks. Part of my role is expanding NIU’s reach of educational excellence through international partnerships, and in doing this, I am helping to create a global network of NIU alumni and opportunities for engagement.
These relationships create pathways for collaborative learning, access to international industry insights and opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in global contexts. Not only do they strengthen academic outcomes, but they also prepare graduate students to operate effectively in an increasingly interconnected and competitive global marketplace.
Q: What advice would you give students considering an MBA at NIU?
A: Go to recruiting events and connect with current students and alumni. This is a great way to experience the program and understand what it would be like to be a student as you make your decision.
Do not discount the idea of getting an MBA if your background is not in business. This degree is for everyone. No matter your sector or industry, you will develop valuable leadership and strategic skills that will transfer to any industry and offer tremendous impact on any organization.
Learn more about our MBA program.
