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UWs Benjamin Cook Named MBA Program Director

head portrait of a man
Benjamin Cook

The University of Wyoming College of Business has named Benjamin Cook the new Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program director. He began his duties Aug. 1.

“It is a humbling honor to be entrusted with the opportunity to help guide the MBA Program going forward,” says Cook, a visiting assistant professor in the UW Department of Economics. “I will be working closely with our faculty to ensure that our students are getting an outstanding return on investment when they choose the University of Wyoming for their MBA.”

Former MBA Program Director Steve Farkas will move into his newly expanded role of UW College of Business assistant dean for strategy and engagement. Farkas will provide strategic leadership and managerial oversight of activities related to external partners and statewide engagement for the College of Business -- a key goal of the college’s new strategic plan. In this role, he will work to strengthen value-added relationships with government, industry and community stakeholders.

“As we continue to execute on our strategic plan, we will continue to reenvision the organization to better serve our students and the state,” says David Sprott, dean of the UW College of Business. “The changes to the college will further align resources with our plan and improve efficiencies throughout our operations.”

Farkas brings to the college a history of private-sector success, having served in a variety of executive leadership positions. He developed the college’s first career service and corporate engagement model and later reengineered both on-campus and online MBA programs, resulting in the online program’s first national ranking. In addition to his college contributions, Farkas has worked actively with university and state leadership to further develop and diversify Wyoming’s economy.

“Steve has played a key role in building the College of Business MBA Program to where it is today, and he is leaving the organization well-positioned for the future,” Sprott says. “Over his 11 years with the program, he has contributed significantly, and we thank him for his commitment and leadership. It’s an important time for our MBA Program, given national trends, and we are excited to have a seasoned leader like Ben Cook join our leadership team in navigating both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

“I am proud of the work we have accomplished, and I see a bright future ahead of us,” Farkas says. “I look forward to continuing my commitment to the College of Business in this next chapter.”

Cook has been with the UW College of Business since 2012 and has taught in the MBA Program since 2013. He will step down from his role as the senior energy economist for UW’s Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute. Cook received his B.S. degree in economics (2003) and a Ph.D. degree in economics (2011), both from UW.

“The world of business is incredibly dynamic, and the needs of business students are constantly evolving,” Cook says. “Our major goals going forward will be to structure both our on-campus and online MBA programs to be increasingly student-centric to keep up with industry needs such as data analytics and other skills, which will give our students the best return on investment in the workforce, and to grow our enrollment without diluting the personal touch and access to faculty that attract students to the University of Wyoming in the first place.”

UW’s College of Business MBA Program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It offers both on-campus and online degree opportunities. The cohort-based, lock-step program is designed to provide team building, networking and career-building opportunities for students.

For more information about the MBA Program, visit www.uwyo.edu/mba or call (307) 766-2449.

 

 

Contact Us

Institutional Communications
Bureau of Mines Building, Room 137
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2929
Email: cbaldwin@uwyo.edu


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