Tepper School’s Online Hybrid MBA Students Experience Access Weekends in Pittsburgh and Boston

The Tepper School Online Hybrid MBA program recently held two in-person Access Weekends, one on campus in Pittsburgh and another in the city of Boston. These immersive weekends are a core component of the Online Hybrid MBA experience, offering students an opportunity to build community, engage with top-tier companies, and develop skills that complement their rigorous academic coursework.

Held in Pittsburgh, the Mini 6 on-campus Access Weekend brought together students, faculty, and families for a weekend full of learning and camaraderie. Students deepened their connection to the Tepper School through professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and company visits to Federated Hermes and Deloitte. Beyond the classroom, students enjoyed an evening out at a Pittsburgh Pirates game and a dinner at PA Market.

Workshops focused on critical professional skills such as developing authenticity and assertiveness in the workplace, preparing career branding and application materials, and building cultures of inclusion and trust through empathy.

The Travel Access Weekend in Boston was an especially memorable experience for the students graduating in 2025, marking the cohort’s final Access Weekend in the program. Over two days, students had the chance to explore Boston’s thriving innovation and business landscape. On Friday, the cohort participated in corporate visits to Amazon, Schneider Electric, and Fidelity Investments, gaining insights into each company’s strategy and culture, and getting the unique opportunity to interact with CMU and Tepper MBA alumni. Select students also explored the Innovation Trail and visited the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) to learn more about Boston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Friday evening featured an Alumni Networking Reception, offering students the chance to connect with Tepper School alumni from across industries and regions, conversations that sparked new ideas and expanded professional networks. The evening featured a special keynote and alumna speaker, Kelly Kowalski, Head of Investment Strategy at Mass Mutual who left the students feeling inspired about their long-term career journey.

Saturday shifted into cultural exploration, with students choosing from excursions like a Boston Duck Boat Tour, a visit to the New England Aquarium, or a walk along the historic Freedom Trail. They closed the evening with a game at Fenway Park, where they watched the Red Sox triumph over the Blue Jays.

“Access Weekends bring our online hybrid community together in meaningful ways,” said Meg Lukus, Executive Director, Online Hybrid MBA. “They help students form strong relationships, apply classroom concepts to real-world scenarios, and gain insights from professionals and alumni who are doing remarkable work in their fields.”

Access Weekends are an integral part of what makes the Tepper School Online Hybrid MBA distinct. Each student participates in Academic Access Weekends in Pittsburgh, which align with the curriculum, and one Travel Access Weekend, which offers broader exposure to industry hubs across the U.S.

Whether in Pittsburgh or across the country, Access Weekends are where the Tepper School’s innovative online model comes to life, combining the flexibility of online learning with the power of in-person connection.