Perfect Set: UVA Darden Sets Up Former Russian Volleyball Pro for Future in Business
By Jay Hodgkins
University of Virginia Darden School of Business student Ruslan Askerov (Class of 2020) achieved success by any measure before enrolling at the School, playing professional volleyball in Russia and growing a successful business as an entrepreneur in his home country. However, a shoulder injury ended his Olympic volleyball dreams, and he realized he needed new motivation to pursue a new purpose.
Enter Darden, which Askerov first discovered in Russia thanks to Darden Online’s “Grow to Greatness” massive open online course available on Coursera and led by Professor Ed Hess.
“Last year, I decided that it’s time to apply for business school. I got admitted to a bunch of them, and then straight away made my decision that I want to go to Darden. And that was the single best decision I’ve ever made,” he said. “Because of the case method, I can bring my experience as a professional athlete and entrepreneur to class, and I also develop a new set of leadership skills thanks to my professors and classmates.”
Watch the video above to learn more about Askerov’s journey from volleyball player to entrepreneur to Darden MBA student.
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business prepares responsible global leaders through unparalleled transformational learning experiences. Darden’s graduate degree programs (MBA, MSBA and Ph.D.) and Executive Education & Lifelong Learning programs offered by the Darden School Foundation set the stage for a lifetime of career advancement and impact. Darden’s top-ranked faculty, renowned for teaching excellence, inspires and shapes modern business leadership worldwide through research, thought leadership and business publishing. Darden has Grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C., area and a global community that includes 18,000 alumni in 90 countries. Darden was established in 1955 at the University of Virginia, a top public university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Press Contact
Molly Mitchell
Senior Associate Director, Editorial and Media Relations
Darden School of Business
University of Virginia
MitchellM@darden.virginia.edu
