The longtime finance professor and award-winning educator shares what excites him most about stepping into his new leadership role, his priorities for the future, and why he believes there’s never been a better time to earn a Wharton MBA.
Michael R. Roberts has spent more than two decades at Wharton as a professor, researcher, and teacher, earning numerous teaching awards while helping shape generations of business leaders. Now, as Vice Dean of the Wharton MBA Program, he’s bringing that same commitment to learning, innovation, and student success to one of the world’s leading MBA programs.
We sat down with Professor Roberts to discuss his journey to the role, how he plans to engage with students, and his vision for the future of the Wharton MBA.
You’ve been a member of the Wharton faculty for more than 20 years. What led you to this new role?
After earning my Ph.D., I initially wasn’t certain academia would be my career. I had opportunities in the private sector, but I wanted to explore teaching and research while that path was available. I spent several years at Duke before my wife and I moved to Philadelphia, and I’ve now been at Wharton for more than 22 years.
For most of that time, my focus has been research and teaching. I’ve also served the School through committee work and other faculty service, but this role represents something different.
When the opportunity came along, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to give back. Wharton and Penn have been incredibly good to me and my family over the years, and serving the School in this capacity felt like the right next step.
What excites you most about becoming Vice Dean of the MBA Program?
There are several reasons.
First, I genuinely love working with students. Teaching has always been one of the most rewarding parts of my career, and this role allows me to expand my impact — not just through my own classroom, but by helping faculty and students get even more out of the MBA experience.
I also enjoy challenges. This position comes with significant responsibility, and I’ve always been motivated by opportunities that push me to grow.
Finally, it’s an opportunity to collaborate with an extraordinary community of faculty, staff, alumni, and students on issues that matter deeply to all of us.
How do you hope to stay connected with MBA students?
One thing that’s very important to me is continuing to teach.
I’ll continue teaching a core MBA course because being in the classroom keeps me grounded. It allows me to stay in regular conversation with students and better understand their experiences firsthand.
Beyond the classroom, I’d like to host regular small-group lunches where students can speak openly about what’s on their minds. Those informal conversations create opportunities to build real relationships and hear perspectives that might not emerge in more formal settings.
I also want to work closely with student organizations and committees to ensure students’ voices are heard, while fostering strong communication among students, faculty, alumni, and staff.
Michael Roberts at Huntsman Hall. (Image Credit: Aaron Tran)
What are your top priorities for the MBA program?
I think about my priorities in three broad areas.
First, I want to continue building on Wharton’s tradition of academic excellence. Our rigorous, analytical approach has defined the School for generations, and I’ve seen firsthand the value that Wharton graduates bring to organizations around the world. I want every student to fully benefit from that experience while they’re here.
Second, I want to help faculty and students leverage artificial intelligence more effectively in teaching and learning. AI is fundamentally changing business, and Wharton has been leading this work for years. We have faculty who aren’t simply following trends — they’re helping shape them. I want that leadership to continue benefiting every MBA student.
Finally, I want to strengthen the Wharton community. Our alumni network is one of the greatest strengths of the MBA experience, and I want to continue investing in those lifelong connections while students are here and long after they graduate.
What makes the Wharton MBA distinctive?
One area that immediately comes to mind is our leadership in AI.
Wharton has been integrating AI into research and the classroom well before many peer institutions began making it a major focus. Many faculty have already been thoughtfully incorporating these tools into their teaching for years, and that experience gives us a meaningful advantage.
Beyond technology, Wharton has always emphasized rigorous thinking, objective analysis, and data-driven decision making. That’s been part of our DNA for decades, and today’s business environment increasingly demands exactly those skills.
Finally, our scale creates tremendous opportunities. Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, healthcare, finance, marketing, or an emerging field, chances are you’ll find world-class faculty and an alumni network with deep expertise ready to help you learn and grow.
What would you want a prospective student to know about Wharton?
One of the greatest strengths of Wharton is that you don’t have to arrive with every aspect of your career figured out.
Because the School offers excellence across so many disciplines, students have the freedom to explore new interests, pivot careers, and discover opportunities they may not have anticipated before arriving on campus.
Another distinguishing feature is our people. Our faculty, advisors, staff, and alumni genuinely invest in student success.
And perhaps most importantly, Wharton has an incredibly entrepreneurial spirit. If you have an idea that will improve the School, your classmates, or society more broadly, people here want to help you make it happen. For an institution of this size, there’s remarkable flexibility and support for turning ideas into reality.
To me, that’s what makes the Wharton experience so special: You get the resources and reach of a global institution while still feeling part of a close-knit community that’s invested in your success.
Posted: August 3, 2026
