Simmons University, an undergraduate women’s and co-ed graduate institution in Boston, recently launched a new master’s degree program in management with a concentration in business and leadership in women’s sports. According to the university, this is the first graduate degree program concentration of its kind in the United States.
The curriculum of the new master’s degree in management centers on three core business principles: finance and economics, marketing and revenue generation, and ethics and gender equity. For those concentrating in business and leadership in women’s sports, students will gain a better understanding of the management, marketing, and operational dynamics that shape the women’s sports industry, preparing them for careers in women’s sports and other professional athletics industries.
“The rise of women’s sports is transforming the global sports landscape — and Simmons is proud to lead in preparing graduates to capitalize on this growth and shape the business strategies that will define the next era of the industry,” said Lynn Perry Wooten, president of Simmons University. “Boston is a sports city through and through, and this program builds on that energy while extending our legacy of advancing women-centered leadership in key industries.”
Helping to lead the new concentration is Justine Pouravelis, a new professor of practice in the School of Management with nearly two decades of experience in professional sports and media. A graduate of Bowdoin College in Maine, Professor Pouravelis has led social media and content strategy for several professional teams, including the Red Sox, Bruins, and Boston Fleet.
“Having spent nearly two decades in sports and media, I’ve seen firsthand how women’s sports have evolved from the margins to the main stage,” said Pouravelis. “This program is launching at exactly the right time. Our students will engage directly with industry leaders, analyze real-world challenges, and graduate ready to drive growth in one of the most exciting sectors in business today.”