Pepperdine University Executive MBA Programs Announce All-Digital Course Material Solution

Graduate Business School collaboration with Follett Higher Education Group and Copia Interactive provides savings and convenience

LOS ANGELES--()--The Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/programs/executive/), partnering with Follett Higher Education Group (http://www.fheg.follett.com/) and Copia Interactive (http://www.theCopia.com), announces that all required books and case studies for new students enrolled in the Executive MBA program (EMBA) and Presidents and Key Executive MBA (PKE MBA) program will be delivered digitally via school-purchased iPads.

The globally-ranked Executive MBA program is an evening and weekend cohort program for the manager advancing into senior levels of responsibility and who wishes to continue to work while pursuing their degree. Multiple sessions during the year are available in Southern California and the Silicon Valley area.

Designed for C-Level executives and seasoned business owners, the Presidents and Key Executives MBA program enables graduates to translate a lifetime of experience and knowledge into personal and professional capital that delivers lasting meaningful benefit for themselves, for their most trusted relationships and for their organization.

“By offering course materials on iPads, Pepperdine will be providing students in our Executive Programs with a learning experience that leverages the same convenience and cost-saving through technology innovation that is ubiquitous in today’s business world,” said Dr. Linda A. Livingstone, Dean of the Graziadio School. “Digital content delivery also provides an eco-friendly alternative to printed materials, consistent with the Graziadio School’s pursuit of SEER values -- socially environmentally and ethically responsible business practices.”

The ease of the digital delivery was a key factor in the decision to extend availability to all students in Executive Programs. “Pepperdine can order a book and have it uploaded to a student’s account the next day. With print delivery, there is a one- to two-weeks period for order-and-delivery, and there is often a need for expedited shipping to ensure on-time delivery,” explained Dr. Gary Mangiofico, Associate Dean of Fully Employed and Executive Programs.

To develop the digital content delivery program, the Graziadio School asked longtime partner Follett to identify a solution that would address the rising costs of course materials, meet students’ needs and allow faculty to incorporate the preferred course materials for the program. Follett identified Copia Interactive, LLC, a digital trade publication provider and software developer, to provide both trade and traditional course material content, driving accessibility to all required materials in a convenient, single location.

“Working closely with both Follett and Pepperdine, we created a first-of-its-kind digital educational experience,” said Ben Lowinger, Executive Vice President of Copia. “We combined all the materials the Program required - both educational and trade content - inside a single platform driven by Copia's rich, socially empowered engine, enabling both professor and student to socialize the content in manners never before experienced in the educational arena.”

Through Follett and their partner Copia, the Graziadio School at Pepperdine University was able to deploy an all-digital course material solution that will save the University 40 – 50 percent when compared to the price of purchasing new printed course materials.

“Follett is dedicated to driving student success and helping our campus partners navigate the growing number of choices when it comes to course materials,” said Tom Christopher, President of Follett Higher Education Group. “Our partnership with Copia is an excellent example of how we can create custom solutions that drive affordability and access by working with our industry partners.”

The digital content delivery program was tested through a pilot program with existing students enrolled in two Executive MBA cohorts that began in Fall 2011. Students, faculty and class advisors received digital content on the iPad 2 as a part of this conversion.

In January 2012, the Graziadio School’s new EMBA class was the first full cohort to experience entirely digital delivery.

How the new program will work

During the first week of class, all incoming EMBA and PKE MBA students will receive iPads pre-loaded with the required course materials. To access their materials, students will login to their iPads, download the free Copia and Study.net apps from the Apple Store and login to their personal accounts. As they progress through the Executive Program curriculum, their library will automatically update with new material.

About Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management

Founded on the core values of integrity, stewardship, courage, and compassion, Pepperdine University’s Graziadio (GRAT-ZEE-ah-DEE-oh) School of Business and Management has been developing values-centered leaders and advancing responsible business practice since 1969. Student-focused, experience-driven, and globally-oriented, the Graziadio School offers fully accredited MBA, Masters of Science, and bachelor’s completion business programs. More information found at http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsroom/.

About Follett Higher Education Group

Follett Higher Education Group of Oak Brook, Illinois, is the leading provider of bookstore services and the foremost supplier of used books in North America. Follett services five million students and over 400,000 faculty members through more than 900 stores. Follett also services more than 1,600 independent campus stores with its wholesale services, and has the most visited ecommerce collegiate website, efollett.com, that provides services and products through a network of more than 1,000 campus stores.

About Copia Interactive LLC

Copia is part of the DMC group of companies. Copia is a social media and content delivery platform that brings together content, community and commerce to create an environment where users collaborate, socialize and buy content. Copia will be accessible across a broad array of digital devices and platforms including Mac, PC, Android, notebooks, netbooks, iPads, slates, smartphones and eReaders. Copia OEM solutions are available for partners who want to benefit from the value of Copia’s social commerce engine. For more information please visit http://www.theCopia.com.

Contacts

Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management
Douglass Gore, Director of Public Relations
Phone: (310) 568-5580
graziadioPR@pepperdine.edu

Release Summary

Pepperdine business school now delivers required Executive MBA books and course materials digitally using iPads for all new students.

Contacts

Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management
Douglass Gore, Director of Public Relations
Phone: (310) 568-5580
graziadioPR@pepperdine.edu