New Program Connects Students with Accomplished Executives

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The Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University is enhancing its commitment to professional and career readiness with the launch of the Graduate Executives in Residence (GEIR) program.  By connecting graduate students with experienced business leaders, the program is designed to provide real-world insights and firsthand exposure to the strategic thinking and decision-making required in executive roles.

“GEIR will provide our graduate students with a path toward building professional relationships within the local business community and within the graduate student body,” said Congcong Zheng, director of graduate programs at the Fowler College of Business. “This is accomplished through mentoring and guidance to improve skills involving executive presence, risk-taking and self-care while caring for others.”

Terri Funk Graham and Dan Skiles have been selected to serve as the program’s executives in residence for the 2024 – 25 academic year. Both Funk Graham and Skiles are SDSU alumni and members of the dean’s board of advisors at the Fowler College of Business.

Funk Graham earned her marketing degree from the Fowler College of Business and she currently serves as an independent director on a number of corporate boards including Sprouts Farmers Market and LL Flooring. She previously served as the chief marketing officer for RedEnvelope (a.k.a. Provide Commerce, Inc.) and as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Jack in the Box Inc. for over 22 years.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to engage with SDSU’s talented business students,” said Funk Graham. “I’m thrilled to be able to exchange experiences and offer mentoring support to help them gain the insight they need to succeed in the corporate landscape. I’m also looking forward to getting feedback and gaining insight from this remarkable group of students.”

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Skiles, an MBA graduate of the Fowler College of Business, serves as the president of Shareholders Services Group. He was previously in executive positions at TD (formerly T.D. Waterhouse) and Charles Schwab, and was co-founder of Solid Rock Gym, one of the first indoor rock climbing gyms in Southern California.

During the second Lunch and Learn event on October 18, Skiles met with MBA student, Erik Malone, during a one-on-one session to exchange information and offer guidance. "Through engaging with executives who shared their journeys, I gained invaluable insights on how to align my passion with my work, and how to leverage networking as a tool for both personal and professional growth,” said Malone.

Students applying to participate in GEIR must earn a minimum 3.3 GPA and must be available to meet during the scheduled executive events.   

“GEIR essentially takes students from being ‘professionally ready’ to becoming ‘executive ready’,” said Zheng. “Full-time students, as well as part-time students who work full-time, can benefit from the mentorships and networking available from both the executives and their peers.”