Brandman University in Irvine has enrolled a number of Orange County companies in an MBA scholarship program.
The school was known as Chapman University College until it became a separate school within the Chapman University system in 2009. Brandman’s Premier Partnership Program cuts costs by about half for students selected by participating companies and organizations, most of which are based in Orange County.
“The school provides a per-credit scholarship of $285,” said Matthew Venegas, program manager at Brandman.
The master’s program credit rate typically is $570, according to the school.
“Brandman offers the scholarship regardless of a company’s tuition reimbursement program,” Venegas said. “It’s a scholarship to the student, not to the company.”
Each company was allowed to choose up to five employees to participate in the scholarship program, which counts 40 students enrolled in the current term.
Brandman faces a crowd of local universities that offer MBA programs, including Chapman’s main campus in Orange; the University of California, Irvine; California State University, Fullerton; Concordia University Irvine; and other schools based here or with satellite campuses serving OC students.
Brandman’s scholarship class, which began last fall, has students from several local companies, including Allergan Inc., Blizzard Entertainment Inc., and Kawasaki Motor Corp. U.S.A. all based in Irvine along with some students from Foothill Ranch-based Oakley Inc.
“We reached out to employers and found that succession planning and employee development were exceptionally important to them,” Associate Vice Chancellor Shelly Neal said.
Kawasaki, which makes motorcycles and related parts, has five employees in the program.
“Kawasaki must strike a balance between developing our internal talent and managing development-related expenses,” said Lindsay Hagen, a training specialist at Kawasaki. “We are able to leverage [Brandman’s] program to help us continue to build our leadership bench strength, while at the same time, keeping our costs under control.”
Kawasaki provides up to $5,000 worth of tuition reimbursement per year, Hagen said.
Kawasaki required candidates to submit documents including undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation and an essay about anticipated MBA benefits. The documents were reviewed by a committee, which also considered the employee’s tenure and current role within Kawasaki.
New York-based ABM Engineering Services selected Curtis Van Buskirk, district manager of the commercial property management company’s Irvine office, for the program. He’s been with the company six years.
“It’s a good opportunity to meet different people who will eventually become leaders in that organization one day,” Van Buskirk said.
Brandman’s current MBA class is divided into two groups of 20 students who meet once a week. Online classes are held throughout the week.
“It’s a matter of increased networking,” said Glenn Worthington, dean of Brandman’s School of Business and Professional Studies. “People are meeting other people. They’re getting a synergy. We’re a part of the overall system with a common thread, right here in the Irvine area.”
Brandman plans to start similar scholarship programs in the spring at its San Diego and Walnut Creek campuses.