Immersive Master of Business Administration
The Immersive Master of Business Administration (IMBA) at The Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business is an intensive, comprehensive pathway designed to equip high-achieving undergraduates with meaningful business experience.
The curriculum contains the same core courses required of all ECU MBA students and culminates with an immersive internship experience with an eastern North Carolina company.
Let’s get going!
Now is the time to join a cohort-based learning environment that brings together high-performing students from varying backgrounds. You will progress together through the Immersive Master of Business Administration pathway in one academic year, creating a strong network that will support you beyond graduation. Classes are delivered face-to-face by select faculty over two semesters, then you will take that classroom knowledge to your internship. We will match you with a company looking to fill leadership training programs and management-track positions. To prepare you, your coursework will be complemented by leadership training workshops, professional networking, and volunteer projects. You will be part of a pathway that aligns with ECU’s mission to be future-focused and innovation-driven.
We have your dream job. You are the dream talent.
For more information, contact Leonard Mansfield, IMBA advisor, mansfieldl16@ecu.edu | 252-328-6970.
In the News
Class of 2025
Rodney Bonilla
Hometown: Apex, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Marketing and Supply Chain Management
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
I think the most unique thing that I will bring to the cohort is my energy and ability to persevere through difficult tasks but enjoy the adventure along the way.
Jackson Bostic
Hometown: Elizabethtown, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Accounting
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
Growing up in a small town in southeastern North Carolina, I learned from a young age the importance of building relationships. With limited resources in my rural area, I had to make connections, so I was aware of when opportunities emerged.
Kyleigh Burton
Hometown: Roxboro, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Fine Arts and Communication, BFA – Dance Performance and Choreography
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
Although my undergraduate career as a Dance Performance and Choreography major may be more non-traditional, I have developed many qualities that align with the IMBA program.
Christopher Chesley
Hometown: Warrenton, Virginia
Undergrad Institution and Major:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management Information Systems
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
Having been a part of many organizations and holding leadership positions during my undergraduate studies, I will bring unique experiences and an eagerness to learn.
Jack Dyba
Hometown: Greenville, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Health and Human Performance, BS – Sports Studies
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
With my background in sports studies and my four years of work experience at ECU Athletics, I believe that I bring a different perspective to this group of students.
Fiona Freyholtz
Hometown: Sneads Ferry, NC
Undergraduate Institution and Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Marketing
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
Throughout my internships, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with businesses through all phases of their growth, from new ventures to well-established companies. This experience has given me a new way to look at business, helping me understand and deal with problems both locally and nationally.
Emma Gebel
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
I bring a distinctive global perspective to this cohort, shaped by my exposure to diverse cultures and a deep passion for international business, further enriched by my studies in Germany.
Craig Geter
Hometown: Fort Liberty, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management Information Systems
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
I take pride in my ability to persevere through challenges and prioritize personal growth, which I believe will be a positive addition to the group. My undergraduate experiences have taught me the value of resilience along with the importance of continuous development, and I look forward to sharing those insights.
Jordan Hatch
Hometown: Locust, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management Information Systems
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
I am entering my fourth year as a division one student-athlete, in which I have spent extensive time working collaboratively with my team towards a shared goal. My familiarity with teamwork and discipline are skills I am eager to bring to this cohort because of their significance in both leadership and business.
Isabella Jimenez Vargas
Hometown: Wendell, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort? I will bring a combination of leadership skills and a collaborative mindset. As a dedicated team player who excels in collaborative settings, I am excited to contribute to and learn from my peers.
Matthew Kornegay
Hometown: Mount Olive, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
East Carolina University, BSBA – Management
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
As a former college baseball player, I have learned the art of multitasking while also producing quality work. I feel my skills and abilities as well as my drive to be the best I can be will add immense value to this team.
Jay Patel
Hometown: Greenville, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Finance
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
Looking forward to sharing my perspective and working together with others in the cohort, where we can all learn and grow as a team.
Lily Puett
Hometown: Franklinton, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management,
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
I am a firm believer that you should look at life with “a glass half full” mentality, I hope to pass this outlook to my fellow peers in the IMBA program.
Sarah Ragsdale
Hometown: Wake Forest, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, Collee of Business, BSBA – Marketing
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
Something unique I’m bringing to this cohort is my creative nature and ability to think outside the box. My retail-background experience has honed my ability to innovate and adapt quickly as well as collaborate on solutions that blend creativity with practicality.
Katie Rowland
Hometown: Apex, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BS – Entrepreneurship
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
I am looking forward to bringing an entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving mentality to my cohort. Through my undergraduate degree I learned how to bring solutions and innovative answers to any array of problems.
Hunter Wilson
Hometown: Goldsboro, NC
Undergraduate Institution and Degree:
ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management
What is something unique about you that you are bringing to this cohort?
Creativity is the biggest factor in being able to stand out. All it takes is a little out-of-the-box thinking to turn even the most difficult of tasks into fun problems to solve. My willingness to take risks, be creative and turn mundane tasks into fun projects is something I look forward to bringing to the cohort.
Class of 2024
Matthew Blount
Hometown: Greenville, NC
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Health and Human Performance, BS in Public Health
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? I am hoping to sharpen the necessary skills to prepare myself for entering the workforce as a proven leader and team member. The Immersive MBA will allow me to build connections with my cohort of diverse high-performing students, who are all looking to make a difference in their respective fields.
Carter Cunningham
Hometown: Haymarket, Virginia
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? Obviously, I am pursuing a great degree from a great university, but more important are the relationships that I will build. Already, I have met some amazing faculty members and peers inside the cohort whom I am eager to get to know even more. The connections and relationships with the people inside of the Immersive MBA Pathway will mean more to me than the degree!
Ashley Dickerson
Hometown: Oxford, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? I am hoping to gain high-demand skills, professional connections, and actual business experience from the Immersive MBA pathway.
Joshua Furlough
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? I am eager to make new friendships and connections with others in the IMBA pathway. Additionally, I am excited about the personal growth opportunities that the pathway will offer me as an individual.
Jewel Herlong
Hometown: Marvin, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Finance
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? I hope that I come out of this pathway with more experience in my field of study, an ignited/discovered passion, confidence in my educational/ work abilities, leadership, and a new family and network of faculty and students.
Andrew Kerry
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Finance, Risk Management & Insurance
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? My goal is to better my education and learn skills that you might not have with a normal bachelor’s degree. I am also excited to get to know everyone that is a part of the pathway and gain a better networking system that can help me later in life.
Jenna Mallberg
Hometown: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management Information Systems
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? Building a strong professional network is a valuable outcome of that I want out of the Immersive MBA pathway. I hope to connect with fellow students, alumni, faculty members, and industry professionals to establish relationships that can lead to career opportunities, partnerships, mentorship, and access to a wide range of resources.
Isaiah Rutledge
Hometown: Greenville, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? New connections, a greater network, and a brighter light at the end of the tunnel. I want to be closer to my goals and dreams.
Jenna Scott
Hometown: Roxboro, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College Health and Human Performance, BS in Fashion Merchandising and Consumer Studies
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? I am hoping to further propel my business and management knowledge to jumpstart my career!
Theodore Sielatycki
Name: Theodore Sielatycki
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BS in Entrepreneurship
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? I would like to continue building my network as a professional. Our professors and directors are extremely well-connected people; there is a reason that they got to where they are. I hope to enter this network and make many lifelong connections that are intrinsically valuable and career-advancing. Furthermore, I hope to learn unique skills and obtain technical knowledge that will set my cohort and I apart from the rest of the competition (whoever that may be). We want to change the world in some capacity and obtaining an IMBA is the first step in doing so.
Carmen Smith
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Management
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? I want to build a network of connections and diverse experiences that strengthen my leadership qualities and knowledge.
Grant Smith
Hometown: Wake Forest
Undergraduate Institution & Degree: ECU, College of Business, BSBA – Marketing & BS in Entrepreneurship
What are you hoping to get out of the Immersive MBA Pathway? I am hoping to learn from the other students in the pathway, and I am hoping to continue to network with professionals who will be able to help me down the line.