International MBA candidate capitalizes on Pozen fellowship to spread wings beyond Columbia

Caleb Simmons (‘18 USC mathematics, ‘25 IMBA expected graduation) is branching out from his roots in Columbia, South Carolina, during his time as an International MBA candidate.

With experience in data analytics and executive reporting as an engineer at Windstream Communications, Simmons also worked at insurance brokerage firm The Cason Group enrolling new members in their insurance coverage and assisting with managing member policy changes.

A few years later, he built on his experiences, becoming a scrum master, which is a group facilitator and Agile software project manager that champions a team and proactively identifies and resolves issues. In this role, he worked with multiple U.S. and international teams to figure out ways to increase productivity.

Wanting to learn to conduct business on an international scale, Simmons enrolled in the Moore School’s IMBA program.

“I chose to enroll in this program because it has been named the No.1 international business MBA program in the country for over 30 years,” Simmons said. “I was also familiar with the campus; the IMBA program has a small cohort, great alumni base and great job placement.”

Simmons was able to enroll in such a renowned program due to support of the Pozen fellowship, which was established by Robert “Bob” Charles Pozen and grants full-tuition fellowships for underrepresented students, specifically from South Carolina and with an interest in pursuing their IMBA in hopes that these students will return one day to the state to positively contribute to South Carolina’s workforce.

The Pozen Scholars Award aims to enhance the Moore School’s diversity and inclusion efforts within the two-year full-time international MBA program.

“Being a Pozen Scholar has given me the financial stability to pursue my classes and career with flexibility and connect with other past scholars throughout my IMBA journey,” Simmons said. “I am excited for the opportunity to meet individuals from all aspects of life and learn how their diverse experiences can shape my international perspective and level of cultural competence moving forward.”

When asked about his future goals, Simmons said he sees himself “in an executive or leadership role, possibly in the C-Suite or as a founder of a business of my own that I can grow to benefit my community.”

Through the IMBA program, Simmons will study abroad to increase his skills to become a future leader. He hopes to study in South Africa.

“For my international immersion, I hope to gain deeper insights into how global business translates from one country to another,” he said.

As the Pozen fellowship provided Simmons with the opportunity to travel globally and pursue his international business interests, he said he also hopes to use his new enhanced skillset to return the favor and “one day be able to give back to the community that helped me become the person that I am.”

-Peyton Palazzo

 

An update from the 2022-23 Pozen Scholars

Troy Etta Knox

From Lake Wylie, South Carolina, ’24 expected graduation from the International MBA program

One of the inaugural Pozen Scholars, Troy Etta Knox, is in her second year of the International MBA program.  

Knox, a “proud” South Carolina native, expressed her gratitude to Pozen and the Moore School for the opportunity to pursue her International MBA. Knox said last year she chose to attend the Moore School in part due to its commitment to diversity and inclusion “and strategic investments to attract and support diverse candidates.”  

In her first year of the program, she took advantage of all opportunities to learn and grow.

Highlights from 2022-23

• Served as a Moore School IMBA Ambassador for 2022-23
• Selected to be a National Black MBA Association Scholar at their 2022 annual conference in Atlanta
• Selected to be a National Black MBA Association Lead Scholar at their 2023 annual conference in Philadelphia
• Was a Gilead Sciences Global Strategic Marketing Intern for their Trodelvy breast cancer oncology drug in Foster City, Calif. in 2023
• Attended the 2023 ASCO Oncology Conference in Chicago 
• Served as a Meta Sponsor for the 2023 S.C. Chamber of Commerce Annual Washington Night Conference
• Was a panelist at the 2023 annual Transfer Convening Conference hosted by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education
• Was interviewed and featured in a student success story for SC Technical Schools
• Served as a Professional Development Mentor and Coach for Our HBCUs Matter Foundation out of Atlanta 

Upcoming plans for 2023-24

• Will participate in the final round interview assessment day at the EMD Serono GOglobal Marketing/Commercial Healthcare Rotational Program in Boston in November 2023
• Will study as a ESCP-Paris Business School exchange student in spring 2024
• Plans to accept a full-time commercial/marketing/strategy role in a Pharma/Biotech for Oncology BU in summer 2024
• Plans to attend the Master of Public Health program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health 

“In one year, I have grown personally and professionally in ways that I couldn't have imagined before enrolling in the IMBA program,” Knox said. “Pursuing my MBA has opened up a whole new world of opportunities and exposure that is pretty incredible.”

Learn more about Troy Etta Knox’s International MBA journey. »

Sajion Moore 

From Greenville, South Carolina, ’24 expected graduation from the International MBA program

Moore said that among the many highlights of his time as an MBA student, one exceptional opportunity is his participation in the prestigious John Molson Case Competition held in Montreal, Canada.

• The John Molson Case Competition is renowned globally for its rigorous evaluation of participants' analytical, strategic and presentation skills. More than 30 teams from around the world converge to tackle real-world business challenges, providing a platform for students to showcase their problem-solving acumen
• Moore said his inclusion in the SEC Case Competition further added to the tapestry of his MBA journey. Organized by the Southeastern Conference, this competition brings together top talent from universities within the SEC network. It offers a unique opportunity for students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Moore said one of the most unexpected yet rewarding opportunities was his selection as a National Black MBA Association HBCU Scholar. Despite not being an HBCU student, he was chosen due to his exceptional skills and academic achievements. This recognition enabled him to attend the 2023 NBMBAA conference in Philadelphia, where he said he spent a week networking with like-minded peers and connecting with companies from around the world.