When Melique Williams ‘26 MBA decided to pursue his graduate degree, he was already an established producer in New York City with more than seven years of experience in the media industry. But as the landscape of his field began to evolve, he recognized that his next step would require a different kind of creativity, one grounded in business strategy.  

“I noticed the industry shifting toward a more financial and business-oriented approach,” Williams says. “I wanted to grow with it rather than start over, and Whitman felt like the right place to do that.”  

Williams chose the Whitman School’s online MBA program for its flexibility, reputation and unique ability to blend disciplines. The opportunity to take electives through Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications allowed him to merge his media expertise with business leadership, a combination that has expanded his career outlook.  

“The program let me design a concentration that matched my background,” he says. “It made the most sense because I could build on what I already knew while gaining new skills to advance in my field.”  

That flexibility has been essential for Williams, whose demanding work schedule often includes travel and late -night shoots. The program’s online format, including evening classes, has allowed him to manage both worlds seamlessly. “Having late classes and the ability to plan ahead made it easier to balance my workload,” he says. “It even worked well when I was filming on the West Coast.”  

Among the many courses that have shaped his experience, Williams highlights data analysis with Professor Darlene Ryan as a course that fostered both challenge and community. 

 “It was the first class where I formed bonds with classmates,” he says. “We connected over the difficulty of the work, and it helped me realize that even online, Whitman has a real sense of community.”  

That connection also extended to his professors. “In graduate school, your professors become more like peers,” he says. “They’ve given me guidance through challenges in and out of class.”  

One memorable experience came in Content Management with Professor Jay Clewis, who encouraged him to think creatively and take risks. Another was Strategic Management, where case studies pushed him to analyze how companies succeed and fail across industries from pharmaceuticals to media.  

His coursework has had immediate professional benefits. “I approach meetings with more context and confidence now,” Williams says. “Understanding balance sheets, annual reports and how businesses make decisions has made me a more informed professional.”  

Beyond academics, Williams credits Whitman’s Experiential Learning team and the program’s residencies for helping him feel connected to the Orange community. “They’ve helped make the experience feel less virtual,” he says. “Meeting classmates and professors in person really brings the program to life.”  

Looking ahead, Williams plans to use his MBA to expand his leadership in media and eventually launch his own production agency.  

“Whitman has opened my eyes to new opportunities,” he says. “I’m ready to take on bigger roles, lead creative projects and explore entrepreneurship. This program gave me the foundation to do it all.”  

By Bo BenYehuda