The Leeds MBA: Six Decades of Changing Lives
Since 1965, the Leeds MBA has transformed lives and careers. What began with 44 students has grown into a global network of nearly 6,000 alumni. Known for its close-knit community and purpose-driven mission, the program keeps evolving, and the results speak volumes: In 2025, U.S. News & World Report advanced Leeds’ part-time MBA national ranking to No. 42, and the QS EMBA rankings placed Leeds at No. 5 among U.S. public university business schools for career outcomes.
A community built on purpose
Across generations, Leeds MBA students are united by a desire to lead with intention and create lasting change. Deepali Agarwal (MBA, MBusAn’25), who came to Leeds from India, had launched an NGO to support women artisans. For Sandy MacDonnell (MBA’19), an MBA was just the beginning. She remains engaged as a member of the Leeds Alumni Board and the High Growth Venture Fellowship Summit.
James Anderson (MBA’26) came to Leeds to become immersed in Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, choosing electives that excite him and learning as much as he can. Over the summer, he co-led the Silicon Flatirons Startup Summer program and worked with Denver Ventures to help Colorado businesses thrive.
Michelle Grabau (MBA’25) turned her MBA into action, launching R Place Family Social Club after graduation to support families and foster community through curated programming. And alumni like Kevin Pallaoro (EMBA’20), CEO of Teton Waters Ranch, a grass-fed beef company with a sustainable focus, give back to keep the MBA program relevant in the real world. As a judge for the Executive MBA Innovation Challenge, he said, “This program allows a team of people to come in and give a business a whole new perspective and new ideas.”
My perspective on business has grown from personal passion to global purpose.
Deepali Agarwal (MBA, MBusAn’25)
An MBA for what’s ahead
While MBA applications have declined across the U.S. in the last decade, Leeds has bucked the trend. In 2018, when national applications dropped by 7%, Leeds saw an 11% rise in enrollment.
Recent research suggests job postings for MBA graduates are resurging (Poets & Quants), and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that graduate degree holders enjoy higher earnings and lower unemployment rates.
To keep pace with marketplace demands, Leeds regularly updates its curriculum based on feedback from students, faculty and industry partners, said MBA Faculty Director Lori Seward. Multiple formats keep the MBA program accessible to anyone, she added. “The full-time MBA supports early career professionals seeking advancement. Hybrid and evening formats cater to working professionals, while the Executive MBA caters to experienced leaders aiming for the C-suite,” she said. “All of our programs are about networking and building connections.”
Kathleen (Chappelear) Teal (MBA’22) agrees. For the MBA 60th Anniversary website, she wrote, “Leeds was more than just an MBA for me. It’s where I met my husband, Robert Teal (MBA’23), through a shared interest in renewable energy. Now we both work in the field and credit our success to our Leeds classes, experiences and networking.”
Celebrating 60 years of impact
To commemorate six decades of growth and opportunity, the Leeds community celebrated the MBA Program’s 60th anniversary and the graduates who are carrying its mission forward. To continue this momentum, Leeds has a goal of creating 60 new graduate scholarships.
Explore highlights from the MBA 60th anniversary celebration. >>