You’ve been invited to:
Workshop: Navigating the Start of the DBA Experience
From MBA Professional to Practitioner-Scholar Leader
What does it truly mean to begin a DBA journey?
Many professionals enter doctoral education expecting “more business classes,” only to discover that the DBA is something far more transformational. The Doctor of Business Administration is designed for leaders navigating complexity, uncertainty, innovation, and organizational change in a rapidly evolving world. This interactive workshop introduces prospective and incoming DBA students to the mindset, expectations, and leadership capacities needed to succeed in a practitioner-focused doctoral program. Participants will explore the difference between MBA, DBA, and PhD pathways; learn what it means to become a practitioner-scholar; and gain insight into how whole-person and systems-oriented leadership approaches prepare leaders for today’s VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) environment.
Topics include:
- What makes a DBA different from an MBA or PhD
- The practitioner-scholar mindset
- Leadership in complexity and uncertainty
- Whole-person and systems thinking approaches
- What faculty look for in DBA applicants
- Why leadership and management experience matter
- How to prepare for long-term success in doctoral study
This workshop is ideal for:
- MBA students considering a DBA
- Professionals exploring doctoral education
- Newly admitted DBA students
- Emerging leaders seeking systems-oriented leadership development
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the DBA experience, the skills needed for success, and how applied leadership inquiry can create meaningful organizational and societal impact.
Thu, Jun 4, 2026 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada)
We look forward to having you attend the event!
