Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School of Management marks 30 years of pioneering Doctor of Management programs
The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Doctor of Management Programs (DBA), an academic milestone with global impact.
Established in 1995, Weatherhead’s DBA is the longest-running program of its kind in the United States—and one of the oldest in the world—cementing its place as a “pioneer in graduate business education.”
“The lasting success of our program comes down to the people—our students, alumni and faculty, and staff” said Juergen Brock, an associate professor at the Weatherhead School and associate director of the program. “For 30 years, we’ve helped professionals combine academic rigor with practical application, enabling them to make an immediate and lasting impact in their organizations and industries. That legacy is something we are proud to celebrate, and it positions us well for the next generation of business leaders.”
Designed to bridge rigorous scholarship and executive leadership, the program has produced more than 350 alumni worldwide. Their influence spans industries and geographies—from the former CEO of Vitamix and the EVP of Penske, to leaders at the United Nations, Harvard Medical School and other major universities. Brock pointed to the hundreds of publications in leading managerial and academic outlets—including Harvard Business Review and Sloan Management Review—and prestigious journals that can attest to the relevance and impact of the research conducted by the students and alumni of the program.
He said that alumni have also advanced innovation in digital technology, biotech and global retail—showing how evidence-based research can shape business practices and strategy alike. Their research has also shaped policies around sustainability goals in United Nations and the fight against corruption in World Bank and IRS.
“What makes our program distinctive is its dual focus,” said Kalle Lyytinen, Distinguished University Professor and director of the DBA program. “We expose senior leaders to the scientific method, giving them tools to cut through noise and uncover truth—and then apply those insights directly to real-world business and policy challenges.”
Unlike the MBA, which emphasizes management practice, or the PhD, which prepares scholars for academia, the terminal degree, DBA equips senior executives for top levels of an organization’s leadership, or “the C-suite,” with advanced research skills and understanding. Our DBA students can also continue into academic roles by completing a PhD with an additional year of study, a unique feature of the CWRU program, Brock said.
Lyytinen said that the DBA program has also adapted to today’s challenges: shifting demographics, a crowded executive education market and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
“As global business becomes increasingly complex, leaders can no longer rely on intuition alone. They need the rigor and discipline of sound research to guide effective decisions,” he said.
What would an anniversary be without a party?
The Weatherhead School of Management will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Doctor of Management Programs Oct. 23-25. Alumni and guests are invited to reconnect with peers and faculty, reflect on three decades of innovation and engage in thought-provoking dynamic discussions on management and sustainability
