As a new academic year is set to kick off, the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business is excited to launch its Online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in General Business program.

The Online BBA program has the potential to expand the reach of Rawls College of Business beyond traditional boundaries," said Dino Villegas , associate dean for undergraduate programs and professor of practice of marketing. "We already have a few students returning to finish their degrees, and they will be graduating soon. The fact that Texas Tech's online programs are highly ranked adds an extra layer of confidence that this program will stand out in the competitive landscape."

Mary Frances Weatherly rejoined Rawls College in May to help guide the vision of the Online BBA Program. She first worked for Rawls College in 2013, serving as senior director of programs. Weatherly served as a part-time marketing instructor and worked for Pearson as a director of marketing for student programs from 2016 until taking on the leadership of the Online BBA program.

"Mary Frances Weatherly's return to Rawls College is a significant asset for the Online BBA program," said Villegas. "Her familiarity with the college's culture, combined with her fresh perspectives from the industry, positions her perfectly to drive the program's vision forward. Her leadership will undoubtedly ensure that the Online BBA program is both innovative and aligned with market demands, setting it up for long-term success."

As the director of the program, Weatherly wants to focus on continual growth and improvement.

"It's crucial that we are always looking to improve the student experience in this program," said Weatherly. "We will launch a strong program in Fall 2024, but we will not be stagnant with it."

Because students will not have an in-person component, Weatherly knows the imperativeness of making sure the program evolves to fit their very different needs. The Online BBA program was designed for students who could not relocate to Lubbock for the on-campus experience, students who had previous college experience, or working adults.

"We are hyper-focused on the students," said Weatherly. "We have dedicated faculty that will teach in this program. I can promise students, they will learn in a real-world environment in this program."

Weatherly is most excited at the potential for the Online BBA program to reach a wider population.

"We will be able to reach students that we previously have not been able to reach in the past," said Weatherly. "Not only does it allow students that had or will have to leave Lubbock to finish their degree, but it also opens the possibility of a Rawls BBA to working people that don't live in Lubbock or Texas."

People or future students who would like more information about the Online BBA program are encouraged to email Weatherly.