EDHEC GLOBAL MBA - NEW CLASS, NEW DIRECTOR
It was Day 1 for more than just the EDHEC Global MBA Class of 2016 earlier this week! Not only did 82 MBA participants arrive on campus from every corner of the world, but also Professor Michelle Sisto* gave her first welcome speech as the new EDHEC Global MBA Director.
NEW CLASS PROFILE
September’s intake joins the January 2015 intake to form a new cohort with the following class profile:
- 30 nationalities
- Average age 31
- Average length of professional experience 7.5 years
- 63% aged 30 years old or over
Thirty countries are represented in the new class which opens networking potential from Costa Rica to China, and from South Africa to South Korea. Educational backgrounds are as diverse as usual with the more atypical fields of Microbiology, Translation, Literature & Civilization and Bioinformatics together with Engineering, Finance and Business. Sectors of activity include construction, telecom, consulting, maritime, securities, hospitality, medicine, power & steel, recycling, and chemicals to name just a few with participants coming from companies such as Adidas, BVLGARI, Deloitte, P&G, TATA, Nestlé, SONY and Schneider. Small and medium-sized companies also figure, together with a number of successful start-ups. A good number of entrepreneurs are present in this year’s class, keen to grow their ventures through the Entrepreneurship Track or branch out into new ideas.
STUDENT VIEWS
31 yr old Rhea YUN, China
“It was good that the January intakes shared advice with us. I’m looking forward to the rest of the programme - this is just the start!”
33 yr old MBA participant Subin Nair,India
“It’s been an outstanding experience. I’m lucky to be part of such a diverse group of nationalities, all of whom have been supportive to each other.”
29 year old Marilyn ZHAI,China
“I’ve met some awesome classmates from different parts of the world and I’m looking forward to the networking.”
NEW MBA DIRECTOR
With 20 years’ of experience teaching international classrooms combined with living in English, French and Italian at home, Professor Sisto has a strong understanding and great appreciation of the challenges and advantages of multicultural education. 
“After many years teaching in the programme, I am delighted to join the EDHEC Global MBA Team as Director. The quality and diversity of the students impress me year after year and make it a pleasure to both teach and learn from them. This morning we welcomed our newest intake of students. Hailing from 30 countries on 5 continents, they bring their diverse cultural, professional and sectorial perspectives to enrich the classroom. Having completed my PhD in Finance at EDHEC, I am in the fortunate position of also counting our graduates as fellow alumni.
As the global business environment evolves, so does our MBA programme. While maintaining a clear focus on core business functions, personal development and applied learning, we integrate courses on new issues facing managers of today and tomorrow. I look forward to accompanying our latest MBA participants as they embark upon a life-changing experience.”
The new class will soon set off on a team-building two-day hike in the magnificent Mercantour Park in the Southern Alps, in the hinterland of Nice, before settling down in the classroom.
*Learn more about Professor Sisto’s background :
Michelle Sisto, PhD, is Director of the EDHEC Business School Global MBA in Nice, France, where she teaches Data Analysis and VBA Programming at the Masters and Executive levels.
With 20 years’ experience teaching in international classrooms combined with living in English, French and Italian at home, Michelle has a strong understanding of and great appreciation for the challenges and advantages of multicultural interaction and education.
She earned her PhD in Finance from EDHEC Business School, holds a Masters and DEA in Mathematics from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis and a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from Georgetown University, Washington DC. Her research publications range from asset pricing links with Corporate Social Responsibility and financial regulation to pedagogy and collaborative learning in multicultural settings.
Recognized for teaching excellence at both undergraduate and executive education levels, Michelle firmly believes that everyone can “do” statistics and successfully navigate today’s data driven world.
Her specialties include data analysis, asset pricing, multicultural business education, teaching and assessment methods, accreditation processes.
Michelle is currently interested in Big Data methods and opportunities for managers, pedagogical innovation, evolution of globally focused business education, building a stronger alumni network within the EDHEC MBA community. Feel free to contact her if you have shared interests or suggestions.
