DEGREE PROGRAM SUPPORT

When the global pandemic hit, Berkeley Haas was able to quickly transition to distance learning thanks to our Haas Fund. Further donor support—including a challenge by Haas board member Michael Gallagher, BS 67, MBA 68, who is generously funding 10% of the total $1.3 million cost of our virtual classrooms—has helped us intensify efforts to make any remote learning the best experience it can possibly be, placing Haas at the forefront of peer business schools.

Our virtual classroom technology replicates a classroom’s physical space, with faculty teaching to a curved wall of student screens. Multiple cameras allow faculty to make eye contact with individual students, and heat mapping shows where faculty have directed their attention to avoid favoring one side of the “room.”
Above: Our virtual classroom technology replicates a classroom’s physical space, with faculty teaching to a curved wall of student screens. Multiple cameras allow faculty to make eye contact with individual students, and heat mapping shows where faculty have directed their attention to avoid favoring one side of the “room.”

CAL ADVANTAGE

One of the hallmarks of the Berkeley community is that we take care of each other. To that end, Haas launched the Cal Advantage program in May as a response to the pandemic and to offer an opportunity during challenging and uncertain times. All recent UC Berkeley graduates (two to eight years out) of all degree-granting programs were invited to apply for an MBA for fall 2020 enrollment with a streamlined application—optional GMAT or GRE scores and only one essay and recommendation.

The enthusiastic response led to Haas enrolling its largest-ever evening and weekend and full-time MBA classes.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Students gained valuable global consulting experience through the school’s International Business Development (IBD) program this year—despite not being able to meet with clients in person.

in Haas’ COVID-virtual IBD program

Oriana Chiu, MBA 21, Student Lead

We had a valuable and fun experience learning how to work within an immersive cross-cultural business environment through IBD; it was a really great opportunity for us to complete a full end-to-end international strategy engagement.

— Oriana Chiu, MBA 21, Student Lead

EXPLORE FACULTY SUPPORT