Over 150 students packed into the Grand Maple Ballroom at the Davis Center last Friday for the first ever Dean’s Leadership Speaker Series featuring Cyma Zarghami, president of Nickelodeon.

“Cyma was a great speaker,” said Andrew Kaufman, a senior Business Administration student concentrating in Marketing and International Business.  “She was very energetic and you could tell she absolutely loves what she does.”

Ms. Zarghami received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont College of Arts and Sciences.  She has spent the last 26 years helping Nickelodeon become the number one rated U.S. cable network by launching popular programs such as Sponge Bob Square Pants and Dora the Explorer.  She was named President of the network in 2006 and currently oversees all creative and business operations at Nickelodeon.

“It was important that we start our leadership series with a speaker who embodies visionary leadership and is an example for our students to follow,” said Dean Sanjay Sharma, of the School of Business Administration. 

During her hour-long talk, Ms. Zarghami spoke about how Nickelodeon has had to adapt to the changing environment and reinvent itself over the years to become a leader in the global market. 

“These talks are extremely important for students to attend because they give students a great chance to see what opportunities are available after school,” said Kaufman.  “They also allow you to hear first-hand what has led to the success or failure of businesses and individuals.”

The event, which was sponsored by the School of Business Administration, was created to provide business and non-business students with a perspective on issues and trends facing business leaders in various industries. 

“This series is an essential component of our mission to educate responsible managers who can be successful in complex, global, multi-stakeholder and sustainable environments,” said Dean Sharma.