Addressing the Vulnerabilities

Kristen Moore-Brown, FEMBA '11, the first woman in her family to earn a bachelor's degree, appreciates the worth of her UCLA Anderson MBA. And, through her volunteer efforts raising money for the school, she's on a mission to ensure her degree retains its value.

"I know the importance of greater self-sustainability. I attended Anderson's FEMBA program during the height of the recession and I remember seeing the cuts. Addressing that vulnerability stuck with me," says Moore-Brown.

As UCLA Anderson advances toward tuition and donation support rather than state funding, it is the passion of alumni volunteers like Moore-Brown that will ensure the school retains its status among the nation's elite MBA programs.

"At UCLA Anderson the professors and administrators make you feel so welcome and valuable to the program," says Moore-Brown. "They never made you feel you had to cater to them. They respected your opinions and ideas on how to improve the school. Coming into a well-known program, I didn't expect that."

Moore-Brown's trust in UCLA Anderson was cemented by UCLA Anderson professor William Cockrum, who emphasizes to students the importance of giving back to the school. Cockrum practices what he preaches by donating all of his salary to UCLA Anderson. 

"Hearing that Professor Cockrum gives back almost every penny he's made at Anderson to the school, and comparing the donations for UCLA Anderson to the other top-tier programs really made an impact on me," says Moore-Brown. "The only way the value of an Anderson MBA will continue to grow is by giving back to the school to help it move forward." 

Moore-Brown was inspired by Cockrum's commitment to UCLA Anderson, as well as by the guidance she received from her other professors. She served on the FEMBA council for three years, chaired the Affiliates Campaign her final year and earned the Dean's Award for Outstanding Service. 

"One priority right now is Anderson's ability to support itself," says Moore-Brown. "Seeing this come to fruition would be very rewarding as the opportunities from there on out will be that much greater."

Moore-Brown's own opportunities broadened upon graduating from UCLA Anderson. Prior to entering her third year she was offered a position as a senior accountant specializing in financial and regulatory reporting for Kinecta Federal Credit Union.

"I utilize the skills I acquired while earning my MBA on an almost daily basis, both in and out of the office," says Moore-Brown. "The FEMBA program helped me feel prepared to take on anything."

In Moore-Brown, UCLA Anderson has a life-long partner. She serves as a GAP teacher's assistant and is a member of the UCLA alumni organization and Dean's Society. 

Moore-Brown views the student-university relationship at UCLA Anderson as a partnership: "Students can really influence and make a difference while at UCLA Anderson—even after they graduate."