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Program will address the unique challenges women face in the workplace and explore pathways toward overall gender equity in employment.

51���� is introducing a new focus for its Master of Business Administration program: women’s leadership.

Rooted in the College’s mission of educating the next generation of women leaders — but designed for students of all genders — this new focus will prepare students to navigate gender-related challenges in the workplace. Courses will address systematic challenges to gender equity in the workplace, including wage gaps, broken advancement paths, assertiveness, representation and more.

Women make up more than half of the US workforce, yet less than a third of senior leadership positions. What’s more, women often earn less in leadership roles than their male counterparts.

“Women have been gaining ground in recent years, but there are still additional hurdles that aspiring women leaders face in the workplace, including securing promotions through what’s known as a ‘leaky pipeline’ to top positions,” says Michael C. Zalot, Ph.D., graduate programs director and assistant professor of business at 51����.

The program will retain its emphasis on strategic leadership concepts and its graduate portfolio model: students in the program are able to tailor their degrees directly to their personal goals and interests.

Designed to be completed in as few as 12 months, the program is available completely online or on-campus, and students can switch between those options whenever they choose.
“I chose the Cedar Crest MBA program because, from my undergraduate experience, I knew that the faculty really care about the success of the students and that we are not just another person in their class,” says Daria Warner ’21, G’22, a graduate of both Cedar Crest’s undergraduate business administration program and the MBA program. “The MBA program offered me the flexibility of being able to change my course modality from week to week… [and] helped me learn how to be more resourceful and network.”

Those interested in the MBA program can learn more at the upcoming “Cheers to Careers” event on Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. Students will join Zalot and graduate advisors for an information session and social. Attendees will also have the opportunity to sit in on a sample class. 

“Women who aspire to leadership roles,” says Zalot, “and male allies looking to improve gender equity in the workplace can benefit from leadership training that not only focuses on the traditional MBA areas of strategically positioning businesses and organizations in a competitive market, but also examines the challenges and opportunities for individual leaders as well.”

The Business, Management and Economics Department at 51���� is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which is recognized by employers and graduate programs for its high-quality standards. Students who are employees or members of Cedar Crest’s partner organizations may be eligible for tuition discounts through the Pathways for Professional Excellence program. Visit  to view a full list of participating partners. To learn more about the MBA program, please visit cedarcrest.edu/MBA or contact the School of Adult and Graduate Education at 610-740-3770 or .