KENNESAW, Ga. | May 3, 2024

One person’s mountaintop may be a rest stop for another. 

On the outside, Will Chilvers appears to be the pinnacle of success. Currently a Director of Radiology services at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, he leads a team of more than 250 people at 22 locations throughout metro Atlanta. 

Still, Chilvers is dreaming of an even brighter future. 

“In my current role, I’ve realized I have great interest in leadership development, finance, and analytics,” Chilvers said. “I wanted to advance my knowledge and understanding in these areas.” 

After completing his undergraduate degree at Kennesaw State University in business administration in 2007, Chilvers swore he was done with school. Fifteen years later, his life and desires shifted. He decided to pursue the personal and professional development that comes with a master’s degree.

With the encouragement of family and a friend, who also sought a graduate degree, Chilvers enrolled in a unique degree offering in Kennesaw State’s Coles College of Business – an executive MBA program. It worked best for his busy schedule while offering what Chilvers called “the whole package” – business acumen, personal and professional development, executive team building, and the ability to work with a coach and a mentor. He and his EMBA classmates became a tight group.

“It felt like you had a second family you could lean on,” Chilvers said. “The faculty were always available to us. We are all really excited for each other that we are about to walk the stage together.” 

Chilvers is now set to graduate with his Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) with a 4.0 GPA, and he was recently inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honors society for business. Between a demanding, full-time job, being a parent, and a full-time student, Chilvers admits it’s been a challenge to juggle it all. 

For the eighth straight year, EMBA program was ranked by CEO Magazine as the top program in Georgia and one of the top in the world. A hallmark of Kennesaw State’s EMBA program has always been leadership development.

“Our ability to evolve and respond to students’ needs is one of the most important elements of our program,” said Thomas Devaney, EMBA program executive director. “Every step the program takes is dedicated to enhancing the experience for our students and creating more opportunities for them to grow as professionals and as leaders.”

Prior to graduation, Chilvers and his classmates embarked on their international residency – an eight-day program in Santiago, Chile. 

After Chilvers receives his diploma, he is excited to see what the future might have in store. 

“It all fascinates me,” Chilvers said. “I want to continue to learn and grow. I’m excited about the possibilities ahead, and I feel prepared now for whatever they might be.”

–      Story by Amanda Cook 

Photos by Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.