Thunderbird Executive Education programs earn No. 20 in world ranking by Financial Times

May 26, 2023

The Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University has been recognized by the Financial Times Executive Education rankings for 2023 for its exceptional delivery of custom and open enrollment programs.

Released on May 22, the prestigious global ranking places Thunderbird’s Executive Education custom programs at No. 20 worldwide — ahead of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge — and No. 4 in the United States, among the top 75 programs globally. Several people sit around a table in a conference room. Thunderbird’s Executive Education programs help sharpen performance and improve organizational capacity at global institutions that require custom-tailored executive programming. Photo courtesy of Thunderbird School of Global Management Download Full Image

The 2023 rankings also placed Thunderbird at No. 5 in the world for best “overseas custom programs” and No. 11 for “most international participants” in open enrollment programs. Schools are ranked annually and include various criteria, such as program design, teaching methods and materials, level of internationality, overseas programs, innovativeness, value for money, growth, partner schools and faculty diversity.

“We are proud of our world-class portfolio of executive education programs and our ability to partner with vanguard companies, governments and institutions from across the globe,” said Sanjeev Khagram, director general and dean of Thunderbird. “Our top placement in this year’s Financial Times rankings indicates our ability to not only design but also deliver innovative and transdisciplinary professional learning opportunities for senior leaders and managers practically anywhere in the world.”

Through Thunderbird’s Executive Education programs, organizations and individuals around the world have benefited from a wide range of custom learning experiences, offering multiday engagements both online and in person. These custom programs have helped sharpen performance and improve organizational capacity at global institutions that require executive programming tailored to their employees or constituent group.

“Through ASU’s Learning Enterprise and other partner schools within ASU, we are able to offer cutting-edge executive learning — from fully immersive to 100% digital — in every modality,” Khagram said.

Thunderbird’s custom programs are tailored to the specific needs of various countries and industries. These programs have been delivered to government officials in Oman, chemical companies in Saudi Arabia, global health care organizations in the United States and Germany, as well as public and commercial entities in Indonesia.

Three people stand together smiling for a photo in front of a presentation screen.

(From left) Professor Greg Autry, director of the Thunderbird Initiative for Space Leadership, Policy and Business; Zaheer Ali, professor of practice at Thunderbird and alum; and Caryn Schenewerk, space law and policy consultant, pose for a photos at the Space Leadership, Business and Policy executive certificate offering in Washington, D.C., this past April.

Photo by Thunderbird School of Global Management

Greg Autry standing at a podium in front of a room of people sitting at desks.

Professor Greg Autry discusses the Space Leadership, Business and Policy executive certificate program at the ASU Barrett and O’Connor Washington Center in Washington, D.C., in April.

Photo by Thunderbird School of Global Management

Person standing in front of a room of people sitting at tables in front of a presentation screen.

Distinguished Professor of Practice at Thunderbird Euvin Naidoo discusses the Agile Leadership: From Strategy to Execution executive certificate at the Dubai International Financial Centre in United Arab Emirates last November.

Photo by Thunderbird School of Global Management

Student receiving their certificate and standing in front of a presentation screen with two other people, one of whom is hanging over the certificate.

Nayef Bardeesi (left, with Professor Euvin Naidoo and Riccardo Mariti, CEO of Riccardo Restaurants and Thunderbird teacher) earns his Agile Leadership: From Strategy to Execution executive certificate from Thunderbird in Dubai, UAE, on Nov. 9, 2022.

Photo by Thunderbird School of Global Management

“Thunderbird is at the forefront of cutting-edge executive education programs, making it a vital unit within ASU's Learning Enterprise,” said Maria Anguiano, executive vice president of the Learning Enterprise (LE) at ASU. “As we advance universal access to learning at all life stages at LE, global leadership and management are key skills that are transferable across all industries. Through ASU and Thunderbird, those skills are within reach for everyone.”

Thunderbird’s open enrollment offerings take place at one of the school’s regional Centers of Excellence locations or at Thunderbird Global Headquarters on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus. Recent open enrollment programming has included topics such as Agile Leadership: From Strategy to Execution, offered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Space Leadership, Business and Policy, offered in both Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Upcoming open enrollment programs include Blitzscaling: Identifying and Managing New Hyper-Growth Initiatives, taking place Oct. 9–11 at Thunderbird Global Headquarters.

Thunderbird’s open enrollment programs have gained recognition for their capacity to draw a diverse array of participants, with the Space Leadership, Business and Policy program attracting executives from esteemed organizations such as the U.S. Department of State, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Saudi Space Commission.

“Through these dynamic learning environments, our participants have benefited from engaging in a meaningful exchange of ideas and experiences that nurture global connections,” said Khagram. “We look forward to seeing the impact that our programs will continue to have on the global network of leaders and managers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond.”

For more information about Thunderbird School of Global Management's Executive Education programs, please visit thunderbird.asu.edu/executive-education.

A detailed look at the results of the Financial Times Executive Education Rankings for 2023 can be viewed on the Financial Times website here.

Dasi Styles

Senior Media Relations Officer, Thunderbird School of Global Management

480-268-6766 dasi@asu.edu

ASU honors graduate accepted into Harvard Law School

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2023 graduates.Wyatt Appel, a Barrett, The Honors College student who graduated with degrees in business (law and global politics) from the W. P. Carey School of Business this May, has been accepted into Harvard Law School.Appel says his aim is to become a public interest attorney and wants to be involved in impa...

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ASU honors graduate accepted into Harvard Law School

May 26, 2023

Editor's note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2023 graduates.

Wyatt Appel, a Barrett, The Honors College student who graduated with degrees in business (law and global politics) from the W. P. Carey School of Business this May, has been accepted into Harvard Law School. Headshot of Wyatt Appel Wyatt Appel Download Full Image

Appel says his aim is to become a public interest attorney and wants to be involved in impact litigation and policy work concerning human rights and youth advocacy. His long-term goal includes operating an appellate litigation practice in Arizona.

While in his final semester at Arizona State University, Appel worked on an OURS (Online Undergraduate Research Scholars) project studying the implications of Arizona law SB 1151, which lifts driver license suspensions for unpaid civil traffic fines.

Through his research with Tempe Municipal Court, Appel found that the number of unpaid fines increased after the implementation of SB 1551. These unpaid traffic fines were mostly sourced from residents in Phoenix metropolitan areas such as Chandler, Gilbert and Scottsdale, and a majority of those who failed to pay lived in areas that had a median household income of less than $65,000.

On top of his OURS project, Appel was a TA for ASU lecturer Gregory Broberg’s justice studies courses in the School of Social Transformation.

"I’m incredibly thankful to Dr. Broberg for the opportunity to engage in research that has meaningful, real-world implications for our community, and for the chance to support other students with such studies," Appel said. "It was tremendous preparation and inspiration for the kind of justice-oriented legal and policy-based work that I am hoping to take part in while at Harvard Law School and beyond."

Here, he talks a little more about his time at ASU.

Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

Answer: During my time at ASU, I volunteered with an organization called the International Rescue Committee at their welcome center, a facility that provides humanitarian assistance — food, clothing, etc. — to people seeking asylum. Through my time serving meals there, I came to understand in part how the asylum process worked — in particular, how it falls short in delivering the support so many families need. It and other experiences like it are what propelled me to apply to law school.

Q: Why did you go to ASU?

A: Going to ASU was a chance to remain close to my family. I’m from Mesa, Arizona, with Tempe a pretty short drive away. ASU also held a lot of sentimental value for me — both of my parents graduated from there, and I grew up going to ASU games and other events on campus. I was able to receive a nice scholarship as well, so it just made a lot of sense.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: Get involved. Whether that’s through volunteering, internships or working, immerse yourself in real-world experiences. Not only will they provide you with the practical skills you’ll need, but they’ll allow you to uncover what you’re truly passionate about.

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: Hayden Library was a favorite of mine. I used to grab a drink from the Starbucks at the (Memorial Union) and then find a quiet spot in the library to go through my work.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I’ll be attending Harvard Law School to earn my JD. Eventually, I’m looking to become a public interest attorney. Specifically, I’d like to be involved in impact litigation and policy work concerning human rights and youth advocacy, working either for the government or a nonprofit organization like the ACLU. In the long run, I'm hoping to operate an appellate litigation practice focused on these issues in Arizona.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: Educational inequality in Arizona. Through learning from my parents’ experiences as teachers and my own work as a Boys and Girls Club instructor, so many of our students in Arizona do not have access to the resources they need to succeed. Arizona consistently ranks among the bottom in the country for K–12 education, and the pandemic only made things worse. With funding for tutoring assistance for students that otherwise could not afford it, salary increases for teachers and other such initiatives, we could finally provide the investment to students and their families that they deserve.