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Holly Frew
Office of Communications & Marketing
Robinson College of Business
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ATLANTA — The Executive MBA (EMBA) program offered by Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business has added a Certificate in Crisis Management Leadership to its curriculum. It is the only EMBA program in Atlanta to offer the credential.
Crisis-focused modules will be embedded throughout the 18-month curriculum to equip students to navigate high-stake situations and make ethically sound decisions while operating with incomplete information and facing time constraints.
The Certificate in Crisis Management Leadership is the fifth certification to be embedded in the Georgia State EMBA, which also includes certificates in generative AI, data analytics, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and change management.
EMBA Faculty Director Nate Bennett discussed the new Certificate in Crisis Management Leadership and how it differentiates the Georgia State program from other offerings.
What is the primary motivation behind adding the Leadership in Crisis Management Certificate to Georgia State’s EMBA program? Why now?
Bennett: “Today’s business landscape is more unpredictable than ever. Remember how COVID blindsided even the most prepared companies? Or think about how quickly a viral social media post can tank a brand's reputation. That's exactly why we're launching this crisis management track in our EMBA program.
Executives may not appreciate the value of preparing for a crisis until they’re in the midst of one. This certification offers that preparation. Our students will learn how to make tough calls when information is limited, to communicate effectively when stakeholders are panicking, and to build teams and organizations that can weather any storm.
The beauty is that these skills make you a more adaptable, decisive leader every day. Plus, your organization benefits immediately when you bring these crisis-ready mindsets back to your teams. In today's world, crisis management isn't just a specialized skill anymore: Increasingly, it's an essential component of executive leadership.”
Do other EMBA programs offer this credential?
Bennett: “Ours is the only Executive MBA program in Atlanta to offer a certificate in crisis management leadership, and to my knowledge, no other EMBA program in Georgia currently offers a similar credential. Sure, there are short workshops out there, but they’re nothing like what we’ve built. Ours is fully integrated into an 18-month EMBA experience that ties crisis management leadership directly into broader strategic thinking. It’s not a one-off: It’s part of how we develop leaders.”
Upon completion, what key qualifications or abilities will graduates be able to articulate to potential employers or within their current roles?
Bennett: “Graduates will be equipped with crisis leadership skills that meet the demands of today’s volatile business landscape. They will learn to make rapid, high-stakes decisions under pressure, as well as quickly assess complex, ambiguous situations and take decisive action, even when time is short and information is incomplete.
They also will be prepared to manage strategic communications across a range of stakeholders, from calming anxious employees to handling tough questions from the media and addressing investor concerns with clarity and confidence.
Students will gain the foresight to assess risk, undertake contingency planning, anticipate potential crises, and develop strategic plans to mitigate them before they escalate, helping organizations remain one step ahead.
Crucially, our graduates will also understand how to build resilience into the very fabric of their organizations. Rather than merely responding to disruption, they’ll learn how to cultivate cultures and systems that are inherently more adaptable and better prepared for future challenges.
Finally, they will be trained in leading recovery and learning efforts post-crisis. From guiding organizations through complex recoveries to capturing and applying hard-earned lessons, our students will help turn adversity into lasting strength.
The real value is that these are practical leadership capabilities that you can immediately apply in your current role, making you more valuable to your organization even before you complete the program.”
The Executive MBA offered by Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business prepares leaders for what’s next in their careers. The 18-month EMBA, taught at Georgia State’s Buckhead Center, broadens leaders’ understanding of global business and strengthens their professional networks. The program format (every other weekend) allows participants to earn an MBA while maintaining their careers. It culminates in an international business residency in South Africa, where students meet with executives, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and cultural analysts to explore how history, policy, and identity shape business strategy.
Learn more at https://robinson.gsu.edu/emba.
Photo: The EMBA Class of 2026 with Faculty Director Nate Bennett