November 2020 Edition
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NPR’s John Lansing and Dean Gardial Discuss the Importance of Integrity in Journalism

NPR National President and CEO John Lansing joined the Belmont community for a conversation about integrity in journalism, highlighting its importance especially during an election year.  This event was hosted by Belmont’s Kennedy Center for Business Ethics, part of the Jack C. Massey College of Business, and featured a conversation between Lansing and Dean Sarah Gardial as a part of the Debate 2020 Programming.
The conversation began with an explanation of journalistic integrity, which Lansing defined as beginning with intent, questioning what the intention of the journalism being produced is.  Is it to inform, enlighten and contextualize? Or is it to confuse, disrupt and produce misinformation?  Lansing explained how with the current expansion of misinformation online it has never been more important that true, unbiased news be available to the American people.  For NPR, independence helps support intent.

Watch the recorded event here!

Alumni Highlight: Nielah Burnett


We caught up with Professional MBA (PMBA) alumna Nielah Burnett, founder of InnerG LLC., to discuss what brought a yoga instructor and juicing consultant to study entrepreneurship at the Massey Graduate School of Business.

Business Matters with Massey: Would you tell us a bit about your story? 
Nielah Burnett: I am a transplant to Nashville, and I am from Denver, Colorado originally.  I spent some time in Atlanta getting my Bachelors in Finance at Clark Atlanta University. Atlanta is where the concept of a wellness based business became very important to me.  I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Once I got to Nashville, I saw there was opportunity in the wellness space.  Particularly for people like me, an African American woman in the Black community, who were not around this concept of juicing or yoga in visible ways. 
BMWM: Your path has included adversity without being defined by it.  What advice would you offer to those with external stressors like yours? 
NB: Self care is important.  It does not matter who you are or what path you are on - your body, your mind and your energy need to be protected.  Please take vacations.  It is hard to as an entrepreneur, but you have to take breaks. Be sound on your "why" as a business owner.  There has to be something that grounds you.  Finally, seek help. Entrepreneurs are told they need to wear many hats, but it is okay to hand off a hat when you need to focus. 
BMWM: Can you speak to how being a Massey Graduate School of Business alumna has impacted your experience? 
NB: I had teachers who were phenomenally easy to relate to. In addition, these professors had achieved incredible things in their industries.  Through those qualities, each of my professors gave me hope and gave me tools. Hope was no longer an intangible thing to work towards. I was given the functional knowledge for businesses to be successful. 
BMWM: From your perspective as a graduate, what advice would you offer to those pursuing an MBA?
NB: If you have already got it in you, then do it.  It will give you more than what you expected.  But be sure you have your reason to do it.  Do not be attached to the promises that come from holding a degree, but go after it for the knowledge.  It is the knowledge that will advance you personally and professionally. 

Featured Faculty: Dr. Sarita Stewart


Check out what Dr. Sarita Stewart, Associate Professor for the Curb College, had to say about the music industry and what led to her teach at the Massey Graduate School of Business.

Business Matters with Massey: Tell us about your background and what brought you to teaching at the Massey Graduate School of Business.

Dr. Sarita Stewart: It was not planned!  I grew up in Oregon City, Oregon and went to Oregon State University as an undergraduate in 1985.  After I graduated, I moved to California on $200.  There I ended up working with Mike Curb at the film company, and a month later moved over to the record company.  It was there I learned the record business from the ground up. I got my MBA in Management from Claremont, and moved to Nashville with Curb.  I started teaching as an adjunct in 1999, and went back to graduate school in 2009 at the University of Alabama to earn my PhD in communications. 

BMWM: As an industry leader turned academic leader, what are you excited about in music today?

SS: I am fascinated with fan engagement and fandom at large.  My dissertation was on parasocial interaction, or the feeling of friendship between artists and fans, and the combination of technology with that aspect.  For instance, we have been discussing the influence of TikTok in my classes.  Also, I am currently exploring the ideas of psychological ownership in the age of paid streaming. 

BMWM: In what ways do you think studying Music Business at Belmont is unique?

SS: All of us that teach in the program probably have close to 100 years of collective experience of working in the music industry.  The instructors bring so much expertise.  Also, even if the instructors do not work in the music industry currently, we have contacts that work in it every day. These individuals are glad to serve as guest speakers. 
BMWM: What are you reading right now?
SS: Right now, I am reading a book by Adam Grant called Originals.  The reason I am reading it is because I am teaching first year seminar, which is a class on creativity.  The students lead the class, but I have to be sure I read it every week! What I really like to read, though, is history, particularly presidential history and families.  Doris Kearns Goodwin writes great biographies.
Upcoming Massey Events:

November 10 @ 1:00 pm CT: Next Level Conference
November 11 @ 10:00 am CT: The 2020 Business Pitch Competition
November 11 @ 1:00 pm CT: Massey Grad Virtual Information Session
November 18 @ 1:00 pm CT: Massey Grad Virtual Information Session
December 2 @ 1:00 pm CT: Massey Grad Virtual Information Session
December 9 @ 1:00 pm CT: Massey Grad Virtual Information Session

Staff Highlight: Carrie Finnegan


Business Matters sat down with the Admissions Assistant for the Massey Graduate School of Business to gain insight on staying organized and the internal admissions process.

Business Matters with Massey: Can you introduce your position to our readers? 

Carrie Finnegan: I am the Admissions Assistant for the graduate school of business.  My position is dedicated to recruiting, guiding and admitting qualified applicants to our MBA and MAcc programs.

BMWM: Tell us about your path to Massey. 

CF: I graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University with degrees in Marketing and Management.  I worked for a managed care company for several years and during that time earned a Master of Health Administration from IUPUI.  We moved to Nashville the first time in 2001 and I worked for healthcare technology and risk management firms. After time off for relocations and children, I applied at Belmont and heard back almost immediately for this position.  I’ve been here over two years now.

BMWM: What does your day to day look like? 

CF: My top priority each day is responding to requests for information about our degree programs. Once we identify the best options, I map out a timeline for their application to ensure they can start as soon as possible. After that, I am processing completed applications for interviews and admission. I also plan information sessions, manage social media and assist with marketing.

BMWM: Your position demands a lot of structure and precision. How do you stay organized?

CF: During the day I rely on our recruiting system to alert me to people and applications I need to attend to. Beyond that…lists.  So many lists! Lots of color coding!  I don’t leave the office in the evening until I’ve made a list of what I need to accomplish and who I need to check in with the next day.  It ensures I will be focused the next morning and helps me to shut off when I walk out the door. 
 

Student Highlight: Emily Adkins


Business Matters chatted with current Accelerated MBA (AMBA) student Emily Adkins about the leap from undergraduate studies to studying at the Massey Graduate College of Business. 

Business Matters with Massey: Tell us your origin story!

Emily Adkins: I grew up in Arlington, Texas and went to undergrad at Baylor University in Waco, just down the road. 

BMWM: What brought you to Massey? 

EA: I decided I wanted to pursue graduate study my senior year and found Belmont's AMBA program while researching with a professor. I knew people from Texas who chose Belmont for undergrad and raved about it, so I applied! I am an AMBA student taking electives in Music Business. 

BMWM: What projects are you working on outside of the AMBA program?

EA: Outside of class, I intern at Indie Connect, where I help plan conferences and work with independent musicians.

BMWM: Do you have any advice for people considering the fast paced Accelerated MBA program? 
EA: I would say to be ready to hit the ground running and invest as much time as you can. Do not be scared to be bold and ask professors for advice. Make connections for your future... because it will be here before you know it! 

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