Masters of Business Administration Advisor Jennifer McKee Strives for Student Success
Forging close connections with students is common practice for the faculty and staff in the College of Business at California State University, Chico—and when it comes to making meaningful connections and ensuring student success, Masters of Business Administration (MBA) advisor Jennifer McKee (MA, Political Science, ’18) rises to the occasion, taking the time to get to know each MBA student from enrollment to graduation.
Since starting her career at the College of Business in spring 2016, McKee has taken on the imperative roles of undergraduate business advisor as well as specializing in MBA advising. As the sole advisor for the MBA program, this has allowed her to forge close relationships with dozens of graduate students, helping each student reach their specific goals.
“I really enjoy getting to know our MBA students on a deeper level than I get to with my undergraduate students,” said McKee. “I get to know them and see where they are at in their professional and personal lives, and help them get what they want out of the MBA program. From the moment they reach out via email, attend our MBA information session, or other various events, I help guide them through the entire process from application to graduation.”
After years of working with students one-on-one, McKee can confidently say that being proactive is her best piece of advice for aspiring and current MBA students. Whether it’s preparing for the General Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for admission, preparing for classes from start to finish, or thinking about life after graduation.
“Proactiveness allows students to be able to navigate their goals, it helps them know where they might reach out to for resources, or how and when to connect with faculty–it’s so important,” said McKee.
Being a recent graduate student in political science at Chico State, McKee frequently draws on her own experiences when advising MBA students. Understanding the heavy workload, sustaining a healthy mentality when it comes to work-life balance, and the more professional faculty-student relationships that come with being a graduate student enhances McKee’s relationships with her students.
“Knowing what students are going through, knowing what that adjustment period is like, really helps me best advise students,” said McKee. “The workload is a lot more, so making sure students are balancing the load of classes they’re taking is important. I want to make sure that if they have a family or are working 40 hours a week, we can figure out how to balance all of it for their ultimate success.”
In a recent survey for graduated MBA students at CSU, Chico, 27 MBA students rated their satisfaction with the advising during the program an average of 4.9 out of 5, and an average of 4.8 out of 5 for the overall experience in the MBA program.
“The personal attention that Jen McKee provides to each of our MBA students is exceptional,” said Matt Meuter, director for the MBA program. “Our program is a very high touch experience, and nothing illustrates that more than the strong connections Jen has with all of our students. Her one-on-one individual advising caters to each student’s unique needs and desires, and every student that works with Jen feels her caring and compassionate nature.”
Learn more about the MBA program.
Kelsey Horne
College of Business
khorne3@csuchico.edu
530-898-4255