I'm getting an MBA

I'm going back to school, and I'm starting a newsletter about it.

My student ID from my undergraduate days. I had hair! Sadly, I had to submit a new picture for my new student ID.

Journalism needs leaders who think more like businesspeople.

It’s advice I’ve heard — and given! — over, and over, and over, and over again during my time working in the Future of News space for the past decade or so.

I also happen to believe it’s good advice, which is why I’ve decided to get an MBA.

Next month, I’m starting at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. I’ll take classes on the weekends while continuing to work at The Lenfest Institute for Journalism.

My goal is to get a solid grounding in fundamental business principles, think more holistically about how successful organizations are run, and learn from classmates in other industries. (It’s safe to say that I’m the only one in my class who works at a nonprofit supporting local news.)

Much of my career has focused on sharing best practices and insights to help local newsrooms, and I plan to take that same approach to grad school.

I’m starting this newsletter to share what I’m learning and think through how the concepts we’re covering in the classroom can be applied to the newsroom.

What will the newsletter look like? I’m not sure!

What types of lessons will I share? I don’t know!

How often will I publish while working full-time, going to school, and chasing around a toddler? We’ll find out!

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in school — and sadly the University wouldn’t let me re-use my undergraduate ID, which is the lead image of this post — but I’m excited to start. I hope you’ll join along via the newsletter and share any questions, comments, or feedback.

More soon!