Matthew Hillman

Name: Matthew Hillman

Current Ambassador Position/Program: MBA

Program (Full-Time, Part-Time): Part-Time

Concentration/Area of Emphasis: Global Business

Current Employer Outside Belk College: VS America

Position: Project Coordinator in Inside Sales

Anticipated Graduation Month/Year: Spring 2021

Undergraduate/Graduate Institution and Degree: Undergraduate: Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, Michigan): BA in History and Philosophy and Graduate: University of Hamburg (Hamburg, Germany): MA in Medieval European History

Favorite Place in Charlotte: OMB

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI    

Dream Job: Business Owner

LinkedIn Profile

Graduate Student
2021
Master of Business Administration

What degree are you pursuing and why?

I am pursuing my MBA at UNC Charlotte because I want to develop essential business and leadership skill sets that will elevate and bring more value to my career. Specifically, I am focusing my interests in gaining a deeper understanding of business operations, communication, finance and leadership in a global context.

Why did you choose the Belk College of Business over others?

I chose the Belk College of Business because it holds itself to the highest standards. As a professional student looking to advance in my career, I was looking for a program where I knew I would be academically challenged and encouraged. After meeting with an advisor, I was confident the Belk College of Business was the perfect fit for my education and career goals. It is also worth noting, there is a wide selection of classes for students with multiple interests, which keeps you in control and makes it very flexible to craft your ideal education. Moreover, the Center City campus is in a great location, conveniently located in the heart of Charlotte.

If you are currently working outside Belk College, tell us about your job. What lessons have you learned in your courses that you were able to apply on the job? 

Currently, I work at VS America as a Project Coordinator in Inside Sales. VS America is a leading office and school furniture manufacturer with over 100 years of history, based in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany with its US headquarters here in Charlotte. The company was most recently awarded Middle-Market Leader by the Charlotte Business Journal, in part due to the incredible growth since its US launch in 2003. The Organizational Behavior course, gave me great insight on leadership and how to evaluate a company culture from a science-based, analytical perspective. General courses, such as Managerial Accounting, have also helped me better understand different job functions and how to effectively communicate with people in various departments at my company.

What can you share about your experience so far being an Ambassador, and what do you hope to accomplish this year in your role?

I’m very excited to serve as an Ambassador for the MBA program this year. I’m amazed at how much the college offers outside of the classroom! Most recently, I attended the quarterly Economic Forecast event, which was a fascinating way to not only learn about the current economy and future projections but also network with some of the College’s alumni. Over the academic year, I hope to build more relationships with students, faculty and staff.

What has been the best part of your academic experience so far?

Working with student peers on various group projects has been a great experience. It provides another layer of interesting perspectives and conversations that contribute more to my education outside of a lecture or textbook. It is also a great opportunity to meet like-minded people to network with and build lasting friendships.

How would you describe the Belk College of Business to someone considering a master’s program?

The Belk College of Business offers you a place to grow and connect with students and faculty from diverse backgrounds that will ultimately amplify your education and career. If you put the time and energy into the program by going above and beyond classroom expectations, you will obtain exceptional skills and knowledge that you can undoubtedly apply to your profession and life. The faculty and professors at the Belk College of Business are very welcoming and are always willing to take time outside of classroom hours to discuss any questions or concerns you have about the course and your academic or career path.