M.B.A. Degree Helps Alumnus Become Business Manager for Luxury Dental Practice Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Meet Michael W. Mann
Job title: Business Manager
Employer: Bobbie L. Hawranko, D.M.D., at Shadyside Place
Degrees earned: M.B.A. with a concentration in management, 2013 and Elementary Education, 2012, Point Park University
College activities: Future Educators of America, volunteer for the YMCA
Hometown: Gibsonia, Pa.
High school: Deer Lakes High School
Now living in: Pittsburgh, Pa. (Shadyside)
Awards/honors: Michael Kors Top Manager Award, Michael Kors Top Seller Award and Saks Fifth Avenue Service Star Award
Hobbies/interests: Travel, musical theater and being a "foodie"
How did you land your current position as a business manager?
I was a brand manager for Michael Kors when Dr. Bobbie Hawranko, who I've known for awhile, approached me about being a business manager for her dental practice. She heard I was finishing my M.B.A. degree from Point Park and was looking to hire a business manager to help bring her high-end dental practice back to Shadyside to focus on bio dentistry. She offered me the job and I accepted it soon after.
I am excited to be applying what I learned in the M.B.A. program to help bolster her luxury dental practice. Dr. Hawranko represents Pennsylvania through The Leading Physicians of the World organization so it's amazing to be a part of that. She uses the most cutting-edge technology and up-to-date techniques in order to provide her patients with that desired natural finish.
Why did you choose Point Park?
Coming from a small high school, I wanted to continue my education at a smaller university setting. I could see Point Park was really growing at a nice pace. The opportunity for one-on-one time with faculty and having them know me personally really helped put my mind at ease.
When it came time to choose graduate schools, I kept coming back to Point Park - particularly because of its great location and faculty who are flexible when working with students who have full-time jobs. Syllabuses are designed upon the notion that many people do work while going to school. The faculty want to see everyone truly succeed. After taking just a couple of classes, I knew I had made the right decision to come back.
What were some of your favorite experiences at Point Park?
At Point Park, you have the opportunity to be around so many different types of people with various interests - from the arts and education to business and engineering. I made friends with people in all different majors from all over the country including Florida, New York City and Los Angeles. While pursuing my M.B.A., I was able to network and work on group projects with people working in a wide variety of professions. I think the University atmosphere really matches the setting of the city. At Point Park, you really have a melting pot of people.
How have you applied what you learned at Point Park into your role as a business manager?
The advertising, marketing and accounting classes have provided me with solid tools on how to run a business. Additionally, all of the managerial classes taught me how to create a vision for an organization and make fiscally responsible decisions based on what is best for that organization. Overall, my degrees from Point Park have really helped propel my career.
What are your career goals?
Now that I've been working in the medical field, my goal down the road is to be a health care administrator. In Pittsburgh, the sky is the limit in the medical field. As for the near future, I'd like to grow in my role as a business manager and help Dr. Hawranko expand her dental practice while providing her patients with a seamless luxury dental experience.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Point Park was an amazing experience both undergrad and grad. At the beginning of both programs, everything seemed overwhelming but then at the end, I discovered I could do it all over again. The faculty and structure of the programs at Point Park were really what have helped me to succeed.
More About: success story, Downtown Pittsburgh, graduate programs, Deer Lakes High School, M.B.A., alumni