Lipscomb offers MBA courses in downtown Nashville for first time through new Spark initiative
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Lipscomb University has once again reached a new milestone as it offered its first-ever graduate business classes in downtown Nashville through the institution’s new Spark initiative located there.
On Jan. 12, Lipscomb’s College of Business launched its downtown MBA program offered through the university’s new Spark facility as 22 graduate business students began classes. Classes being offered are “Leadership and Organizational Behavior” and “Accounting for Executive.” They are being offered pending SACSCOC approval.
“This is an exciting milestone as we engage the downtown community and offer them convenient access to a Lipscomb education that will not only benefit them personally and professionally, but will benefit their companies and as a result the city of Nashville as well,” said John Lowry, vice president of development and external affairs and executive director of Spark. “Instead of professionals who work downtown having to drive 30 minutes in rush hour traffic to get to one of Nashville’s premier academic institutions, they can now simply walk a few blocks to Lipscomb’s downtown classes. We are pleased that Lipscomb is able to serve the city in another way through our presence downtown and to have a role in shaping its bright future.”
Lipscomb’s downtown Spark is a 20,100-square-foot facility located at the corner of 4th and Commerce. The facility is currently undergoing renovation, which is expected to be completed this spring. In the interim, courses are being offered at the Nashville Downtown Partnership, which is located across the street from Spark.
Just last week, Lipscomb’s College of Leadership & Public Service also began offering courses downtown as part of its Masters in Leadership and Public Service degree. These courses will also be held at Spark once construction is complete. A variety of academic programming and leadership development resources are planned for the site as well as a Spark: Lipscomb’s Idea Center, which will be similar to the Spark facility located in the Cool Springs area of Franklin. Since Spark opened in Cool Springs in November 2012, the facility has hosted 1,086 meetings; 25,444 people who have participated in a class, meeting, workshop or other event; and 162 organizations.
Spark also offers customized leadership development programs for corporate partners as well as other professional development opportunities and customized training programs that met the specific needs of an organization.
“At Spark we give you everything needed to be productive—from the latest equipment and technologies to energizing snacks and meals—allowing you to produce great work in a unique and innovative environment,” said Lowry. “We’ll help you organize team building exercises, provide energetic pick-me-up snacks in the afternoon and provide you with ideas to keep momentum going long after your meeting is over. Our knowledgeable team will work with you to make getting together easy and stress-free, so all you have to do is focus on the business tasks at hand.”
For information about Lipscomb’s first Spark facility, visit www.lipscomb.edu/spark.
—Photos by Kristi Jones