Trevor Block: The MBA offers a higher degree of experience
“Higher education is incredibly important to me both personally and professionally,” says Trevor Block, MBA student and chief development officer for the College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University. “I truly believe in the transformative impact that a college education can have on a person’s life.”
Block is responsible for fundraising in his role at Western, and earning an MBA is a strategic decision to become even better at what he does. Previously in his career, he fund-raised for business schools specifically, seeing firsthand the impact that an MBA can have on those looking to gain a higher degree of experience in current roles or those looking to make a career change.
“This program teaches you how to become an organizational leader, and how to think about current issues in business rather than what to think about current issues in business,” he says. “The tools that I am gaining will allow me to build and deliver better strategies for fundraising at WMU.”
There have been some high points in Block’s program so far, where he has been challenged to think deeply and also had the opportunity to participate in new educational experiences.
“One thing that is ever present in my mind is a lesson I learned from Dr. Ali Metwalli in our Business Law and Ethics course. He emphasized that business leaders have not only a fiscal responsibility to their organizations, boards of directors, employees, stakeholders, investors and customers, but also a social responsibility to their communities, the environment and the world at large. This lesson has stayed with me as I consider the impact of environmental, social and governance investing, as well as diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives, among others.”
As an undergraduate student, Block was not able to study abroad, but the Haworth College of Business short course study abroad programs offered him a second chance at this meaningful learning opportunity. “I recently spent two weeks in Portugal. It was a dream come true and a life-changing cultural and educational experience, where I made some great lifelong friends along the way.”
Balancing courses—including international courses—career and family commitments is always a challenge for MBA students, who tend to be working professionals. But Block has found a flexible program with the support he needs to be successful. “Ren Phillips, the director of graduate programs and the Global Business Center at the college has been a tremendous mentor since the day I started my MBA. As an alum of the program herself, Ren has unique insight and provides excellent recommendations about how to structure coursework and manage life at the same time. I feel very fortunate to have her as a resource as I navigate the graduate education experience.”
When Block looks ahead to how he will apply his MBA, he is excited for the possibilities. “One of my most significant goals in fundraising is to enhance the student experience to the best of my ability, matching the University’s priority projects with specific donors who can help fund them. Finding initiatives that resonate with our alumni and supporters helps them achieve their personal philanthropic goals while also maximizing the impact their giving can have on the University and students. I take this responsibility very seriously, and so my end goal with my MBA is simple: I hope to lead, and to teach others what I have learned throughout my career in higher education fundraising, so we may help more students and raise more dollars for the University. The leadership tools, management skills and knowledge of how to run a successful business that I have gained in the MBA program at WMU will allow me to do just that.”
Learn more about the MBA program and register for an info session by visiting the website.
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