I recently had the opportunity to visit the almost completed Alan B. Miller Hall. It is truly an amazing site:  beautiful architecture, state-of-the-art technology, and a real focus on creating a top notch learning environment.

One of the primary reasons I decided to come to William and Mary for my MBA was to be a part of a smaller community. I wanted to know all of my peers personally and create a strong connection with my classmates. I was worried that this new huge, majestic building would change the community feel of the program.

I now know this will not be the case. From the various common areas to the new café, students will have plenty of opportunities to gather and spend time with each other. Miller Hall feels comfortable and inviting rather than large and imposing.

Another unique aspect of the Mason program is the focus on collaboration. From the first-year teams to field consultancy to the career acceleration modules, working together with others is a critical aspect of our learning process. This focus really comes through at Miller Hall. There are over 20 small group study rooms in the building (with some really cool high tech features) and a lot of small details that will continue to make the Mason school a great place to work within teams.

One example:  In one of the new classrooms we saw that the desks  were totally different than what we’d seen before.  Instead of having rows of desks lined up, there are tables where students can swivel their chairs around and all of a sudden meet in small groups! It may have been a small detail, but it showed me how the program is focused on providing a collaborative working environment for years to come.

Miller Hall is almost completed (there were over 100 workers on site during our visit!) and really looking great. From my visit, I’m confident that we’ll not only have a new home that looks fantastic, but also stays true to what the Mason program is all about.