By Katelyn Powell
Writing an opera wasn’t something Brent Newsom had ever aspired to do. Yet, when a colleague from the music department approached him to collaborate on an opera about the 19th-century deaf-blind pioneer Laura Bridgman, Brent found himself immersed in a creative project that became a career highlight. “As the librettist, my part was done at the beginning,” Brent recalled. “Then I got to see all these musicians, a director, and stage performers bring it to life. It was magical.”
Early Career: From Liberal Arts to Leadership
Currently Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, Brent’s career journey started in a tech support call center, moved overseas to teach English in China, and eventually led to advanced degrees in English.
During his tenure, Brent has written poetry, prose, and librettos. He’s served as division chair, managed faculty members, and taught countless students. But recently, he wanted to test a theory he talks about in the classroom a lot — can “humanities skills” really be repurposed in the corporate world?
“We often tell our students that their English, languages, or history majors are developing critical thinking skills, the skills that can intersect in a valuable way to employers. I wanted to challenge and gratify that thought myself,” he said.
Exploring New Career Options: The 12-Week MBA
During his time as division chair, he discovered an aptitude for management, yet opportunities for advancement within the learning institution were limited. With higher education facing significant challenges, Brent contemplated a career shift. This led him to The 12-Week MBA program.
He heard about the program from a friend and was intrigued by the hands-on learning methods.
“One of the most valuable parts of the program was the simulations,” he said. “They were intense learning labs that allowed us to apply management and financial concepts in a practical way.”
The collaboration aspect of the program was another highlight for Brent—especially because he knows the power of social learning from his own experience as an instructor and professor.
“The diversity of the cohort was amazing. Interacting with people from different countries and industries broadened my perspective. The facilitators did a great job of rotating groups and creating opportunities for meaningful interactions,” he said.
Meeting Tamika: A Highlight of The Management Curriculum
When considering the most impactful aspects of the program, Brent specifically recalls Tamika—an AI-enabled character in Management Challenge, which is part of The 12-Week MBA’s people management module.
In Management Challenge, students take on the roles of managers of fictional employee teams. Each employee has a distinct personality and faces unique development challenges. For example, in the case of Tamika, the goal is to promote her. However, after having conversations with her using AI, participants come to realize that Tamika doesn’t actually want the promotion. As a result, they must strategically coach and motivate her as her manager.
Brent said, “The scenario with Tamika was especially eye-opening for me because she was great at her job, and yet she didn’t want a promotion. It made me realize the importance of understanding what motivates people, and that’s applicable to any real-world job.”
Becoming Fluent in Finance
Another crucial learning experience came from the finance module of The 12-Week MBA.
“Believe it or not, when you get a PhD in English, they don’t teach you about financial operations,” Brent said, laughing. “The readings and case studies in Fluent in Finance were incredibly helpful. I loved how the curriculum blended hands-on learning with real case studies. I now understand how to read financial statements and how those figures inform decision-making.”
These new skills have already proven useful in his current role.
“I feel much more confident now in understanding the financial health of my institution,” Brent said. “When the administration talks about our financial position, I know exactly what they mean and why it matters.”
Finding Confidence
As Brent looks to the future, he feels prepared for whatever comes next. Looking back, he sees many parallels between his role as division chair and the lessons he learned from Tamika and Management Challenge. But he’s also found the confidence to pursue roles outside of Academia.
“The 12-Week MBA has been a big confidence booster,” he said. “I can now articulate how my academic experience translates to the business world. Whether I stay in education or transition to the private sector or nonprofit work, I know I have the skills to succeed.”
Whether composing an opera or devising a business plan, Brent’s varied career path has solidified his confidence in his ability to excel in any field, and he’s excited about whatever comes next.
If you’d like to meet Tamika and experience the hands-on curriculum yourself, sign up now for The 12-Week MBA. We’re also happy to explore ways to bring The 12-Week MBA to your company. Click here to speak with an enterprise expert.
