Crowley Director of Technology Emily Grantham always aspired to be a Jacksonville University Dolphin, but life after high school didn’t go as she planned. Instead, she had to enter the workforce to support herself. As a result, she earned her management undergraduate degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville, which opened the door to her first supervisory position.
Grantham’s journey at Crowley began in 2017, when she started as a business analyst. By 2021, she had advanced to a managerial role filled with a world of possibilities. She quickly recognized the need for executive training to bolster her business acumen and to enable her to further grow within the organization.
With the support of her leadership team at Crowley, she enrolled in the Executive Master of Business Administration program in the Davis College of Business and Technology at JU. She earned her degree in the spring of 2023.
“I had always dreamed of being a Dolphin. The EMBA program at JU gave me the perfect opportunity to fulfill that dream while furthering my education and career,” Grantham explained.
After thorough research and comparing JU’s program with other business programs locally, she was impressed by the comprehensive structure and high quality of the EMBA program. “The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to address current business challenges, and the seasoned professors bring extensive real-world knowledge, effectively relating learning objectives to our professional lives,” said Grantham.
The program taught her about leadership theories, but more importantly, it taught her to apply these theories. “I was able to take lessons from my monthly weekend classes and apply them the next week in the office,” she said. “I’m better able to anticipate what is coming and prepare the team, so when change does hit, we’re already stepping ahead.”
Grantham says one of the best parts about the EMBA program was the camaraderie. “The cohort quickly became like family, doing almost everything together. The bonds we formed extended beyond just the students; we built strong relationships with the faculty as well.”
All the faculty members in the program were exceptional, according to Grantham, who noted that Dr. Jim Simak, JU assistant professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, had a particularly strong influence during her time at the University.
In his classes, Simak taught her teamwork and organization change, which has been helpful in her current position. However, it was his leadership over Dolphin Pitch, an annual contest held at the University for students to explore their entrepreneurial spirit by creating new ideas, which left a lasting impact on her.
“While I didn’t win the event, I walked away with something far more valuable—self-confidence,” Grantham stated. “This experience had a profound impact on my professional growth and my ability to take on new challenges with greater assurance.”
One of her most rewarding accomplishments at Crowley has been serving as the technical product owner for a homegrown web application designed to support external customers, which has significantly enhanced the customer experience and increased overall company efficiency.
Grantham says what truly inspires her to get out of bed every morning is the honor of working with an “amazing” team dedicated to improving Crowley’s products for its customers. “I take immense pride in leading and supporting my team and enjoy watching them grow,” she said. “Their dedication and enthusiasm fuel my passion for my work, driving me to strive for excellence every day.”
