Business Leaders of Tomorrow - 2019

Business Leaders of Tomorrow is a new feature on Online MBA Report in which we are seeking to recognize the top online MBA students across the US. To assemble our list we invited the schools ranked in our 2019 Top 50 Online MBA Programs to nominate their MBA candidates as representatives of their program. Our hope is that this feature sheds positive light on both the most talented, hardworking and deserving online MBA students across the US, as well as the outstanding online MBA programs of which they attend. The list is ordered alphabetically. 

2019 Business Leaders of Tomorrow - Online MBA Report
StudentUniversity
Adedapo LaditanGeorge Washington University, School of Business
Alison CurfmanThe University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium
Ariel ProchowskiPennsylvania State University, led by the Smeal College of Business in partnership with the World Campus
Brian KarpNorth Carolina State University, Jenkins Graduate School of Management
Cecilia SortinoIndiana University, Kelley School of Business
Daniel ProrokUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business
David ClevelandThe Georgia WebMBA
Greg CornishUniversity of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
Jacqueline BurowUniversity of Nevada, Reno, College of Business
Jacquelynn JoplingUniversity of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
Joe HwalekIndiana University, Kelley School of Business
John OsborneUniversity of Delaware, Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics
Joseph WeatherfordThe Georgia WebMBA
Katherine IsaacsonSyracuse University, Whitman School of Management
Katina WilliamsNorth Carolina State University, Jenkins Graduate School of Management
Kenneth KleinVillanova University, School of Business
Kevin KerrFlorida State University, College of Business
Kim Gelian SongcoUniversity of Delaware, Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics
Krista BartleyPennsylvania State University, led by the Smeal College of Business in partnership with the World Campus
Mary SleddWest Texas A&M University, The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business
Matt TabiszThe University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium
Nicole HarrisOhio University, College of Business
Penny GallemoreLouisiana State University, E. J. Ourso College of Business
Rebecca PrinceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business
Roberto C. LlanoUniversity of Arizona, Eller College of Management
Samuel SpeetUniversity of Arizona, Eller College of Management
Steven CraneOhio University, College of Business
Tiffany ReidVillanova University, School of Business
Tom BialozorUniversity of Nevada, Reno, College of Business
Treva Loyd Florida State University, College of Business
Ty MitchellWest Texas A&M University, The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business
Yana KalashnykGeorge Washington University, School of Business
Adedapo Laditan, George Washington University, School of Business
George Washington University

Adedapo Laditan
Adedapo Laditan, George Washington University

Target Graduation Year: Fall 2019

Undergrad College and Major: Morgan State University, Information Science and Systems

What makes Adedapo a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Adedapo Laditan represents the type of student we strive to develop at George Washington University School of Business (GWSB); a leader in the classroom and in industry who values investing back into the community. Mr. Laditan values engaging with his peers and instructors to find solutions to real world problems. His role within the public service healthcare industry, coupled with our MBA has led to groundbreaking work resolving challenges in healthcare administration.

Adedapo’s post MBA career plan: I intend to further my career in public service with additional responsibilities, specifically applying the knowledge and skill sets acquired at George Washington University to contribute as much value as possible in solving existing and emerging challenges in healthcare administration.

Adedapo's description of his Online MBA experience: The online MBA program at GWSB has been rigorous but rewarding. Designed for working professionals, mandated participation in weekly discussions requires you to present your thoughts while engaging with classmates and faculty members. This allowed me to see issues from different and reasonable perspectives, consequently extending learning. The diverse make-up of the cohort challenged my thinking and enabled me to think more analytically about the practical application of the concepts being studied. Collaborative engagement and immersive learning fostered thru global teams tackling real world projects, cases, and simulation exercises were immediately applicable in my professional endeavor. In addition to the class discussions, GWSB offers opportunities to connect with alumni, faculty and each other outside the classroom. This social element helps build a community of learners that has also expanded my professional network of global and experienced contacts.

Alison Curfman, The University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium
University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

Alison Curfman
Alison Curfman, The University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

Target Graduation Year: Spring 2019

Undergrad College and Major: University of Missouri-Columbia, B.S. in Biological Sciences

What makes Alison a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Alison Curfman is a pediatric emergency physician and the Medical Director for Pediatrics at Mercy Virtual, a fully virtual hospital that creates and supports innovative healthcare solutions using virtual care. When selecting our program, Alison indicated that she had a strong desire to improve the healthcare system. Alison excelled academically in the program while starting with an above average course load, allowing her to complete the program in less than three years. 

Alison's post MBA career plan: Alison is using her MBA training to build and develop pediatric telehealth programs, using technology to address healthcare disparities for children and provide high-quality pediatric care for children no matter where they are located.

Alison's description of her Online MBA experience: The online MBA program through University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium gave me the opportunity to extend my education beyond my medical career and expand into the business field, despite having the busy clinical schedule of a young physician leader and an even busier home life with three small children. I started with an in-person MBA program, but after a few semesters realized that program did not afford me the flexibility to continue my current responsibilities and would not be a solution for me to finish an additional degree. By switching to an online program, I was able to learn with fellow students from around the country and collaborate in an innovative way. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of advancing my education through the online platform, because the flexibility of this program allowed me to complete the degree despite the many demands of my current position.

Ariel Prochowski, Pennsylvania State University, led by the Smeal College of Business in partnership with the World Campus
Pennsylvania State University, led by the Smeal College of Business in partnership with the World Campus

Ariel Prochowski
Ariel Prochowski, Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2020

Ariel's Undergrad College and Major: Penn State University, Shreyer Honors College/Finance

What makes Ariel a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Ariel Prochowski has displayed outstanding qualities as a strong and influential leader in his academic arena. Ariel’s progressive work in the technology industry with emerging ideas and his experience as a business leader serves as a differentiator among his peers. Ariel’s contribution to the graduate classroom inspires and invigorates the learning environment in a unique and compelling way. He has earned the respect of his peers through his authentic leadership style and his skill in facilitating a collaborative team environment. Ariel’s diverse work at Apple, his academic credentials with the OMBA program, and his intuitive nature for innovation, makes Ariel a perfect candidate for the Business Leader of Tomorrow designation.

Ariel’s post MBA career plan: With his newly refined negotiation dexterity, Ariel plans on continuing to climb the corporate ladder at Apple in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Ariel's description of his Online MBA experience: My online MBA Penn State experience has been challenging, but also quite rewarding. Juggling the program while working full-time at Apple, managing real estate, parenting a young chocolate Labrador, and maintaining some form of a social life has been chaotic, but has also revealed to me the value of each ticking minute. Through this program, I have been fortunate to meet and collaborate with other like-minded, driven individuals all across the continent and even a few on the other side of the world. Would I choose to do this again? Absolutely. Penn State is family.

Brian Karp, North Carolina State University, Jenkins Graduate School of Management
North Carolina State University

Brian Karp
Brian Karp, North Carolina State University, Jenkins Graduate School of Management

Target Graduation Year: May 2019

Brian's Undergrad College and Major: University of Georgia, BBA, Management Information Systems 

What makes Brian a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Brian Karp is an accomplished IT Audit, Data Analytics, and Technical Consultant with more than 12 years of consulting experience and nearly 20 years of technical experience. He has a wide variety of industry experience including mining, telecommunications, media, technology, financial services, and energy. Brian is skilled in Technology Risk Management, Audit Data Analytics, Enterprise Data Management, and Sarbanes-Oxley 404 Compliance.

Brian is also an expert at creating self-service and data visualization applications, writing data analysis scripts using advanced analytical techniques, developing policies and procedures to support regulatory compliance, testing automated application controls, and performing and leading business process reviews and integrated audits. Brian is a Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control, and an ACL Certified Data Analyst. Brian has spoken at Raleigh, NC, Columbia, SC, Columbus, GA, and the Charlotte, NC chapters of The Institute for Internal Auditors (IIA) and at the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) North American CACS conference. Brian was a key contributor to the IIA’s Global Technology Audit Guide, “Understanding and Auditing Big Data” Practice Guide.

Brian’s post MBA career plan: Brian is pursuing a second Master’s degree in Analytics and hopes to use his MBA skills to lead an advanced analytics team. Brian also has an aspirational goal that involves opening a 10-barrel brewpub and BBQ restaurant.

Brian's description of his Online MBA experience: My Online MBA experience exceeded any and all expectations. The Jenkins Online MBA Professors were amazing. Whether it was office hours, group meetings, or even individual one-off sessions, they were always available to answer questions, provide feedback and help me learn the materials to the best of my ability. The Jenkins Professional Online MBA has a great reputation for the program’s flexibility. I would not have done well in a traditional classroom setting. I sometimes find it tough to focus after a long day at work. The Online MBA format made it easy to re-watch key lecture points and take breaks when needed. I was able to customize my curriculum and earn certificates in both Finance and Decision Analytics. I was initially concerned that the online experience would hinder my ability to build a solid MBA network. The combination of today’s technologies and in-person Raleigh Residencies helped me build an amazing network. I was able to supplement my Online experience by participating in the McLauchlan Leadership Fellowship. This was one of my favorite experiences at Jenkins. I am not just a better leader, but a better person because of the guidance I received during the Leadership Fellowship

Cecilia Sortino, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
Indiana University

Cecilia Sortino, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2020

Cecilia's Undergrad College and Major: Art Institute of Atlanta, BFA in Graphic Design

What makes Cecilia a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Looking toward the future of business, Cecilia Sortino exemplifies the values of the Kelley School of Business, including humility, talent, and tenacity. Each day at Fiserv, Cecilia brings her professional experience, as well as the knowledge and capabilities she is gaining in the MBA program, to her workplace; her in-progress MBA benefits her organization as well as herself. At the Kelley Connect Week in-residence program during her first year, Cecilia was part of a winning case competition team, with a plan to drive sales growth for a local business. In her second year, Cecilia brought her talents forward to help India-based NGO Happy Horizons Trust, in support of its educational and social mission. Finally, Cecilia pushed herself to not only think globally, but also to apply her talents in a global setting, participating in a global leadership and immersion course helping social enterprise clients in Vietnam. At work, on campus, and around the world, Cecilia is delivering solutions to today’s problems, and preparing herself to solve the future’s big challenges.

Cecilia’s post MBA career plan: Cecilia sees lots of growth potential and opportunity at Fiserv and will continue her career track there. One option is her current path towards a higher level marketing leadership role. Another is a business unit executive.

Cecilia's description of her Online MBA experience: When I first decided to pursue an online MBA, it was very important to me that the school I choose was not only highly ranked, but also offered plenty of opportunities for in-person learning and networking. I have found that the perception of an online MBA being impersonal is far from the truth. Between the video-based class collaborations and group projects, the on-campus learning weeks and the AGILE trip to Vietnam, I have a very close connection to the Kelley School of Business and to the other MBA students in the program. I have formed several close friendships, and been able to take advantage of networking opportunities that I believe will be invaluable.

Daniel Prorok, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Daniel Prorok, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Daniel's Undergrad College and Major: Case Western Reserve University, B.S.E. Electrical Engineering; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, M.E. Computer and Systems Engineering 

What makes Daniel a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Dan is a people-centered leader in technology and student of psychology. He is very comfortable with rigorous financial analysis and quantifying performance improvement, yet he derives the most fulfillment through leadership. He believes the best strategies are the ones that recognize that as enchanting as technology can be, its real magic is at the interface between humans and the tools they use to create real drivers of productivity and growth.

Daniel’s post MBA career plan: Dan is currently a Senior Vice President and Global Head at Citigroup, and he plans to continue leading global teams that deploy technology solutions at the heart of every interaction consumers and businesses rely on around the world.

Daniel's description of his Online MBA experience: My experience in the Gies Business iMBA program has been an opportunity to continue my education using innovative, distance-breaking technologies to learn hands-on new approaches to disseminating information and collaborating on shared projects. Every interaction with the school and my peers has been an opportunity to experiment and refine my “professional on-line executive presence.” I have developed deeper relationships with respected faculty members and my cohort of talented business leaders than I ever thought possible.

David Cleveland, The Georgia WebMBA®
The Georgia WebMBA®

David Cleveland, The Georgia WebMBA®

Target Graduation Year: 2019

David's Undergrad College and Major: University of Georgia, BBA General Business

What makes David a Business Leader of Tomorrow? David is a wonderful example of the many great students enrolled in the Georgia WebMBA® program. He was nominated for this honor because he is a very positive and conscientious student who embodies what it means to be a leader. David has proven leadership qualities in his career, in his MBA courses, and in his life. This program is designed for working professionals and David is a true role model for prospective students who wonder if it is possible to work full-time in a demanding career and raise a family while successfully pursuing an MBA. David has also continued to serve his community as a volunteer in many organizations and has completed several leadership programs that will enhance his career. He shows high promise of being a strong business leader of tomorrow.

David’s post MBA career plan: David has worked in the electric cooperative industry for the last seven and a half years. He plans to advance his career and pursue an executive-level leadership position.

David's description of his Online MBA experience: My experience with the Georgia WebMBA® program has been tremendous. The knowledge I've gained in this program has helped me to grow professionally. This program attracts a diverse network of people with broad professional experience and backgrounds. This has contributed greatly to my learning experience. I've enjoyed getting to know the other team members from my cohort, and we've all learned from one another. As a full-time working professional, it can be very challenging to balance work, education, and personal obligations. This program offers flexibility which is the perfect solution for any business professional seeking to develop their business skills and advance their career. 

Greg Cornish, University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
University of Southern California

Greg Cornish, University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

Target Graduation Year: May 2019

Greg's Undergrad College and Major: Embry Riddle University – BS in Project Management

What makes Greg a Business Leader of Tomorrow? As one of the USC Marshall Online MBA program ambassadors, Greg has shown an incredible ability to build meaningful connections and build up his peers. His personable demeanor, critical thinking, and astute understanding of what it takes to be a leader in the business world have all helped him succeed as an Online MBA student and in his leadership role at his company. Over the past year and a half, he actively managed on-site support for the Passport 20 Flight Test Program for GE Aviation and was responsible for directing all maintenance activities during the program. This role required constant communication between the customer and GE, along with support from stakeholders all over the world. Greg has leveraged his MBA knowledge to improve his strategic planning, make critical financial decisions, and enhance his leadership in various teams throughout his career. Greg’s focus on strengthening key business skills and improving organizational decision-making, in addition to his many contributions to the USC Marshall community, make him stand out as an excellent business leader.

Greg’s post MBA career plan: Greg plans to transition to a senior leadership role with more accountability and influence over business-wide decision making.

Greg's description of his Online MBA experience: The USC Marshall OMBA program has given me the opportunity and flexibility to attend USC while also growing in my career. I travel a lot for business and the ability to attend classes remotely and in the evenings has allowed me to excel. From the moment I stepped on campus for the intensive week, I learned first-hand how strong the Trojan network is. This program is built on developing relationships, networking, and collaboration. This has allowed me to create life-long friendships with my cohort and gain perspective into industries I have not been exposed to. The caliber of the Marshall professors is world-class. All of the professors have been successful in their relative careers and are teaching about subjects they are passionate about. The professors are always available to assist, and want to ensure that every MBA candidate is successful. The Marshall OMBA has given me the skills to take the next steps in my career and has brought me into the Trojan family. Fight On!

Jacqueline Burow, University of Nevada, Reno, College of Business
University of Nevada, Reno

Jacqueline Burow, University of Nevada, Reno, College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Jacqueline's Undergrad College and Major: University of Nevada, Reno — Nutrition

What makes Jacqueline a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Jacqueline has been nominated for the Outstanding Student Recognition from OnlineMBAReport.com because of her strong academic accomplishments in University of Nevada, Reno's Executive Online EMBA. She has demonstrated an active leadership role in her group projects in the courses of the program. Her solid professional and academic accomplishments qualify her for career advancement and leadership positions.

Jacqueline’s post MBA career plan: Jacqueline’s post MBA career goals are to continue to pursue her passion for real estate by growing her personal portfolio to include subsidized multi-housing for veterans, and helping people achieve their real estate dreams as a REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties.

Jacqueline's description of her Online MBA experience: It was a challenge to complete this program while continuing to pursue my career, volunteer, and care for my two children under the age of two while my husband worked and served in the Nevada National Guard. We even welcomed our third baby during my enrollment in Dr. Raffiee’s class! Despite this, the autonomy the Online Executive MBA program provides allowed me to continue with my previous commitments and simultaneously pursue my educational goals. This has been an awesome, valuable program, and I would encourage anyone on the fence about enrolling to make it happen!

Jacq Jopling, University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business
University of Southern California

Jacq Jopling, University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

Target Graduation Year: May 2019

Jacq's Undergrad College and Major: University of Texas at Austin – Bachelor of Science – Petroleum Engineering 

What makes Jacq a Business Leader of Tomorrow? From day one, Jacq has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to her learning and professional growth. Jacq has continuously applied what she has learned to her work at Chevron while going above and beyond to lead and develop women in her industry. Through her leadership, Jacq’s team was able to exceed every single one of their 2018 year-end KPIs by increasing production and reducing cost for the entire business unit. She has driven operational performance improvements by educating the workforce on financial acumen fundamentals and operational efficiency principles. In addition to her full-time position, Jacq was recently elected to her local Chevron Women’s Network Leadership Team which allowed her to participate in various opportunities in career development mentoring, piloting new programs, and helping plan the annual Bakersfield Women in Energy Conference. She has also established a women’s monthly book club within her organization to read and discuss books centered around leadership development. Jacq embodies the qualities of a forward-thinking business leader through her ability to apply MBA knowledge and her desire to help more women realize their full potential within her corporation and the industry.

Jacq’s post MBA career plan: Jacq plans to transition from technical engineering to a business planning and management path to expand her influence in international assignments. In the future, Jacq plans to explore opportunities in management consulting and one day start a private equity firm focusing on the energy industry.

Jacq's description of her Online MBA experience: Ultimately what USC’s OMBA program did for me was thrust my world into chaos, before giving me the tools to lead myself to clarity. To just say, “I have grown from this experience,” would be a reductive assessment of the impact USC’s OMBA program has had on my personal and intellectual development. My USC OMBA experience has profoundly changed the way I think – both in the way I frame and solve problems, and my perspective of the corporation (and other firms). USC’s OMBA program has transformed my understanding of organizational behavior and functional interactions across the business unit, enhanced my utilization of business and digital analytics, broadened my industry and market view of economics and finance, and provided me a grounding in business ethics and law; but, more than anything, USC’s OMBA program has taught me the language of business and has enabled me to implement my learning directly in my current role enhancing my career almost daily. Although this has been one of the most challenging undertakings I have ever pursued (in balancing life, the USC OMBA program, and my career), it has also been one of the most rewarding and gratifying experiences further increasing my drive for success.

Joe Hwalek, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
Indiana University

Joe Hwalek, Indiana University, Kelley School of Business

Target Graduation Year – 2019

Joe's Undergrad College and Major - St. John’s University, Marketing

What makes Joe a Business Leader of Tomorrow? – As the newly elected president of the Kelley Direct Student Leadership Association (SLA), Joe Hwalek knows what it takes to lead and create change. With an innovative mind, Joe brings his professional expertise to Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the virtual classroom, and to SLA initiatives. During his second year Kelley Connect Week in-residence program, Joe exhibited his talents by working with his team in crafting development and retention plans for teachers employed at SPARK schools in South Africa. This experience was designed in a manner where Joe was required to think about the education sector in a country where its educational system is in a national crisis. He was able to apply his marketing talents in producing initiatives in teacher retention and student enrollment. Joe is a holistic leader that has the ability to take on a project and transform it into something extraordinary.

Joe’s post MBA career plan – Joe plans to remain at Hyatt and continue his momentum of growth within the brand marketing team.

Joe's description of his Online MBA experience – My experience within the Kelley Direct program has been extremely rewarding. The impact that my professors, fellow students and the administration have all had on me is unforgettable. Throughout the program, I’ve transformed into a stronger leader, a more effective marketer and -- most importantly -- a better person. If I had to make the choice between Kelley Direct and any other online program, I would choose Kelley Direct every time.

John Osborne, University of Delaware, Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics
University of Delaware

John Osborne, University of Delaware, Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics

Target Graduation Year: 2019

John's Undergrad College and Major: Towson University, Bachelor of Science in History 

What makes John a Business Leader of Tomorrow? John is one of our brightest students. He has done well academically and professionally. We have seen him grow as a student, and as a person during his MBA degree. He is a diligent and focused professional, and we expect he has a very promising future ahead of him.

John’s post MBA career plan: After graduating from University of Delaware, John hopes to apply the skills he has learned in the Lerner Online MBA program to his career, either advancing at his current organization or switching to another opportunity if one arises. As of now, John is keeping his options open for future career plans.

John's description of his Online MBA experience: My online MBA experience was great! I learned many new skills while being able to work and advance in a full-time job, and was able to quickly apply the skills I learned in the Lerner Online MBA to the position I was in. The coursework balanced nicely with my available time, and the professors were always courteous and available if I had questions. Overall, I am very happy I chose the University of Delaware's Online MBA Program and would recommend it to others looking for an online option to achieving their MBA.

Joseph Weatherford, The Georgia WebMBA®
Georgia WebMBA

Joseph Weatherford, The Georgia WebMBA®

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Joe's Undergrad College and Major: University of Georgia, BBA Management

What makes Joe a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Joseph Weatherford is nominated for 2019 Business Leaders of Tomorrow due to his current senior leadership position in one of the largest county governments in Georgia. In this role, he led an overhaul of the county’s approach to strategy and performance management. He designed and implemented a comprehensive management framework for operational decision making county-wide and launched an innovation group focused on process, workforce, and technology solutions, including project governance. As a certified Public Finance Officer with a Six Sigma Black Belt training, he also developed and executed a structured business process analysis to identify and catalog all business processes within his department in the Gwinnett County Department of Financial Services. He is most deserving of this recognition.

Joe’s post MBA career plan: Joe is currently in a senior leadership position in one of the largest county governments in Georgia. His immediate post-MBA plans are to continue in his role and pursue growth opportunities internally as they become available. Over time Joe plans to transition to a career in management consulting (with a focus on local government administration), and he plans to spend the final stages of his working life in academia studying the application of private-sector managerial concepts in public-sector organizations.

Joe's description of his Online MBA experience: My experience with the Georgia WebMBA® program was a positive one. When considering my options to pursue an MBA, the most persistent obstacle I faced was the time commitment required. As a working professional with a long commute and a young child, I just couldn’t justify adding another layer of commitment to my already strained schedule. While the WebMBA program required a significant time investment, it also provided the flexibility to approach that investment on my terms. With that flexibility I was able to successfully complete the program, and more importantly broaden my business acumen, while maintaining and advancing my career and being an engaged husband and father on a daily basis.

Katherine Isaacson, Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management
Syracuse University

Katherine Isaacson, Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Katherine's Undergrad College and Major: LeMoyne College, English 

What makes Katherine a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Kati has been a wonderful ambassador for our program by speaking with our admissions teams about her experience, being a guest host for admissions webinars, and speaking with prospective students. She frequently keeps in touch with our team and sent us all hand-written thank you notes after she finished her last class.

Katherine’s post MBA career plan: Katherine's post-graduation career goals are to expand her leadership role at work to help drive innovation and position colleagues and her company to grow and succeed even further. She is focused on forming key partnerships with organizations that allow her the opportunity to make a greater impact in the community on a local and global platform.

Katherine's description of her Online MBA experience: A few years ago my company invited me to join their leadership development program designed to “groom” the leaders of tomorrow as a part of the company's overarching succession plan. On the first day we were asked, “Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?” For me, that meant pursuing my MBA in order to better position myself for greater opportunities and gain a more holistic understanding of leadership in business. Having grown up in Syracuse, the tricky part was I only wanted to earn my MBA from Syracuse University and I live in South Florida. Thankfully, Syracuse offers a unique online MBA program which provides a hybrid experience of both live, interactive classrooms online and in-person residencies around the globe. It gave me the feeling of truly being a part of the “Orange” culture while still maintaining my career and personal life in Florida. It was the hardest thing I've ever done but also the most rewarding. I can't wait to see my professors and classmates at graduation and continue those friendships for years to come.

Katina Williams, North Carolina State University, Jenkins Graduate School of Management
North Carolina State University

Katina Williams, North Carolina State University, Jenkins Graduate School of Management

Target Graduation Year: December 2019

Katina's Undergrad College and Major: North Carolina A&T State University, Bachelor of Science, Accounting 

What makes Katina a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Katina is a proven leader with over 15 years of experience in the financial administration of healthcare companies. Her desire to further her education has led her to earn an MBA degree that will give her the knowledge and financial tools to bring her department at Duke University Health System to new heights as an industry leader in financial decision support practices. Katina’s extensive accounting expertise, dedication and hard-work has helped her to be extremely successful in handling her professional and personal obligations as well as excel with her graduate work.

Katina has already achieved a milestone as she was recently promoted from Sr. Director of Financial Decision Support to Vice President of Hospital Finance at Duke University Hospital.

Katina’s post MBA career plan: Katina intends to utilize her technical, leadership, and development skills to drive quality and innovation as the newly appointed Duke University Health System, Associate Vice President of Finance and Divisional Chief Financial Officer of Ambulatory Services.

Katina's description of her Online MBA experience: The Jenkins MBA program has undoubtedly provided me the opportunity to build upon technical skills. Although, perhaps the most value comes from the exceptional networking and leadership training. Engaging with seasoned professors and students from academia and private industry builds a collective association of thought leaders and professionals to share fresh ideas, perspectives and experiences.

Kenneth Klein, Villanova University, School of Business
Villanova University

Kenneth Klein, Villanova University, School of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Kenneth's Undergrad College and Major: Pennsylvania State University, Mechanical Engineering

What makes Kenneth a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Kenny emerged as a natural leader from the moment he stepped on campus for the residency program. He has an engaging personality that makes others feel comfortable, and he is often one of the smartest in the classroom – and that combination is sure to produce even greater results as he continues in his career.

Kenneth’s post MBA career plan: Kenny pursued his MBA because he reached a career point where he had progressed about as far as he could without an advanced management degree. With the skills he has acquired and the network he has built, Kenny plans to use his Villanova MBA to acquire a higher position at Boeing or with another firm.

Kenneth's description of his Online MBA experience: The Villanova MBA experience exceeded my expectations. Initially, I was apprehensive about the online format but those reservations dissolved after the first semester. The professors encouraged interaction between students during live sessions and the content was a mix of text, video and interactive simulations making independent study easy and very effective. I had the advantage of feedback from several business colleagues who had previously completed the program. This helped me select the electives that most interested me and supported my desired concentration. The success of the program is largely due to the people. I am still in communication with professors from classes long behind me and I consider myself very fortunate for having cohorts in the program that I can foresee being long time friends. The required residency weekend and optional international immersion reinforced relationships with the other students and frankly were challenging but tons of fun. I am so glad I chose to travel. The destination taught me so much and was in an area of the world I most likely would not have seen without Villanova! MBA Program

Kevin Kerr, Florida State University, College of Business
Florida State University, College of Business

Kevin Kerr, Florida State University, College of Business 

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Kevin's Undergrad College and Major: United States Military Academy, Chinese Language and Economics Double Major

What makes Kevin a Business Leader of Tomorrow? A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Kevin Kerr was destined to be a leader, and he has repeatedly carried out this calling during his career – completing U.S. Army’s elite Ranger School focused on combat leadership, then serving as an infantry platoon leader in Afghanistan, and ultimately commanding a detachment of special forces. Kerr’s stellar accomplishments made him an ideal MBA candidate for Florida State, and he is thriving in FSU’s fully online program while he continues active duty. Kerr is mastering further skills in management and strategy that complement his military expertise. His demonstrated ability to implement this new business proficiency while leveraging his past successes make Kerr an ideal Business Leader of Tomorrow.

Kevin’s post MBA career plan: Ultimately I would like to turnaround distressed companies. When I was in the Army, my unit followed a mantra to “free the oppressed”. I want to carry that same mission into the civilian sector by helping those who are struggling to excel in business.

Kevin's description of his Online MBA experience: The FSU online MBA program allowed me to enter the civilian world prepared and qualified. During my last two years in the Army, I had multiple deployments ahead but knew I should pursue an MBA if I wanted to prepare for life after the Army. The flexibility of the online MBA program let me serve and concurrently complete courses overseas. This opportunity gave me an academic foundation relatable to employers and avoided an additional two years towards a full-time MBA. I also had a desire to seek electives outside the original scope of the online MBA program. While trying to pursue these electives, I met various faculty members within the College of Business. Regardless of their position or title, every member received me warmly and showed willingness to help me achieve my education goals. Because of their support, I will have an FSU MBA tailored to confront the problems I predict in my future career. The experience has been wholly instructive and I look forward to entering the job market with business skills that complement my military experience.

Kim Gelian Songco, University of Delaware, Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics
University of Delaware

Kim Gelian Songco, University of Delaware, Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Kim's Undergrad College and Major: New Era University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

What makes Kim a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Kim started with us in the Lerner AstraZeneca MBA Program. He eventually decided to transition into the 100% Online MBA Program. We have seen him excel academically, and grow from strength-to-strength. His professors have only good things to say about him. Kim has strong involvement in the classroom (virtual), and provides rich experiences and discussions for his peers from his healthcare career. We are happy to have him as a student, and soon-to-be a valued alum of Lerner College.

Kim’s post MBA career plan: Kim is eager to see if there's a higher role that he can pursue within the organization he currently works for and be able to develop his capabilities further. Kim is also considering pursuing a Master's in Finance starting next year.

Kim's description of his Online MBA experience: UD's online MBA program gave me the flexibility I needed. I couldn't commit to a full-time, on-campus program and UD was able to provide a solution that worked out for me. I started out with a cohort within AstraZeneca as an MBA Pathways student and then transitioned into the Lerner Online MBA program. The flexibility of an online program definitely benefited my family. Last July, my wife and I welcomed our first child and I had to make some adjustments to my schedule. I'm glad that UD allowed me to take the summer off so that I can spend time with my newborn son and take care of my wife. Overall, I can say that my MBA experience was challenging but rewarding. I am glad that I am able to apply the concepts I learn in class at work almost immediately. I also appreciate that I was exposed to fields of study that are new to me or those that do not relate to my day-to-day tasks at work. Learning new things has broadened my perspective and encouraged me to think bigger in terms of my personal and professional goals.

Krista Bartley, Pennsylvania State University, led by the Smeal College of Business in partnership with the World Campus
Pennsylvania State University, led by the Smeal College of Business in partnership with the World Campus

Krista Bartley, Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2020

Krista's Undergrad College and Major: Indiana University, Biology

What makes Krista a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Krista Bartley is a Business Leader of Tomorrow due to her initiative, strong work ethic, and leadership and ability. Krista’s strong professional background includes over 13 years of experience in the business sector and the US Air Force. This experience allows Krista to excel in the MBA classroom where she has operated as a key team player and leader in the graduate classroom. Krista’s interactions and contributions with her peer group result in a highly engaged and rigorous learning environment. Krista’s ability to understand small business platforms as well as global stages, positions her for a heightened understanding of concepts and collaborations necessary for the innovative future of business. Krista has also showed great maturity in her ability to juggle a rigorous schedule of work/life/academics throughout out program.

Krista’s post MBA career plan: Krista looks forward to pursuing a management-level career in marketing analytics and global business development. She intends to integrate graduate experiences into her career by creating solutions to complex problems and accelerating business growth through innovation.

Krista's description of her Online MBA experience: The Penn State Online MBA Program has afforded me with the opportunity to engage in an enriching learning environment, develop professional business skills, and collaborate with peers. From day one, I was immersed in a fast-paced, challenging curriculum led by professors and staff that are subject matter experts. Throughout the program, I’ve had access to leading productivity tools and programs that strengthened my capabilities. I have improved analytical and critical thinking skills while also gaining exposure to various business functions. Networking with a community of business professionals has enabled the invaluable exchange of insights, feedback and support applicable to real-life business situations. The flexibility and prestige of this program is unparalleled and I have found the perfect harmonization of being a mother, managing full time employment, and pursuing a Master’s degree. From strategy development and execution to performing statistical analyses to make data-driven decisions, the lessons learned from this program have immediately impacted my performance on the job and will greatly contribute to my success in the future. "We Are!"

Mary Sledd, West Texas A&M University, The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business
West Texas A&M University

Mary Sledd, West Texas A&M University, The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2020

Mary's Undergrad College and Major: University of Texas, BA – Honors Humanities 

What makes Mary a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Mary is a student that, regardless of the course, she is going to be an exemplar in either the work she produces, the impact she has on the students around her, and, often times, the faculty leading the course (and most of the time, all the above). While she currently has the entrepreneurial spirit and is successful in her personal businesses, her aspiration to continue learning and to focus on bettering her future through her time in our program is something that so many could learn from. We cannot speak highly enough of Mrs. Sledd and hope that we can continue to see more and more students like her find our program to both better their future as well as make our program all it can be by their presence.

Mary's post MBA career plan: My primary goal in completing the West Texas A&M MBA program is to fill gaps in my knowledge base and better establish myself as a business expert in my current field, residential real estate. As a real estate broker, having an enhanced understanding of quantitative analysis and refining my approach to management has already proved very valuable. I am looking forward to learning more about finance and economics so I can provide superior service to my clients as they make what is likely the most significant investment of their lifetime.

Mary's description of her Online MBA experience: The West Texas A&M online MBA program has far surpassed my expectations. I have been very impressed by the quality and dedication of the instructors, and I find the course material to be engaging, thorough, and current. As a parent of small children and a business owner, I was concerned about work-life-school balance. WTAMU's online format allows me to fit classwork into gaps in my schedule. The flexibility allows me to meet my family and work obligations while continuing my education.

Matt Tabisz, The University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium
The University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

Matt Tabisz, The University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium

Target Graduation Year: Spring 2019

Matt's Undergrad College and Major: University of Maryland-College Park, B.S. in Biology

What makes Matt a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Completing his MBA after Spring 2019, Matt Tabisz has done very well academically and has been recognized by instructors in the program for his classroom contributions. One instructor noted his “consistent high-quality work, thoughtful discussions, and willingness to go outside the material to really explore.” Because of Matt's post-graduate plans to improve the environmental services field with an eye towards sustainability and green technologies, we believe he is worthy of being named a Business Leader of Tomorrow.

Matt's post MBA career plan: Matt plans to use his MBA within the environmental services field to impact sustainability and drive adoption of green technologies.

Matt's description of his Online MBA experience: The online experience was both fulfilling and rewarding. It provided a great balance for a working professional to accomplish educational, professional, and personal goals. The ability to get an education online was critical in my success — I don't believe I would have completed an MBA without the flexibility provided through this program. In addition, the knowledge gained during the program was usable in my everyday career.

Nicole Harris, Ohio University, College of Business
Ohio University, College of Business

Nicole Harris, Ohio University, College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Nicole's Undergrad College and Major: Bowling Green State University; Majors in Accounting and Information Systems Auditing

What makes Nicole a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Throughout my career, I have always pushed myself to find a better way. I don’t mind working hard, but I am constantly considering how any task can be done better and more efficiently. I have taken on many difficult positions, some of which I regretted because of the challenging task in front of me. But ultimately, I have learned a lot about myself. I have a better understanding of my skills, what I need to improve, and how to tackle new challenges in the future. Having worked in many cross-functional teams in my career, I see the benefits of a great team. With my experience, I am a decisive leader, a great team player and team leader, and I’m willing to take on any challenge.

Nicole’s post MBA career plan: I have a well-rounded history in finance, having worked in accounting at a small manufacturing plant, moved to a large company and worked in cost estimating, controlling, sales forecasting and analysis, and was the leader of the finance portion of a large ERP implementation. Staying in the manufacturing industry, I am planning to one day be a business unit controller of a large company or CFO of a smaller company.

Nicole's description of her Online MBA experience: I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Ohio University’s Online MBA program. I could see the value in each class I took, and I could apply the various theories to my current position. Taking my experiences and relating them to the teachings was beneficial and helped me to approach issues in a different way at work. It drove me to form another point of view and to consider other perspectives. Including classes like Human Resources, Production and Supply Chain was very insightful while working in a Manufacturing environment like I do. Participating in the MBA program with a cohort was great as I got to know some classmates throughout the last two years; it helped to form a network of potential resources for the future.

Penny Gallemore, Louisiana State University, E. J. Ourso College of Business
Louisiana State University, E. J. Ourso College of Business

Penny Gallemore, Louisiana State University, E. J. Ourso College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Penny's Undergrad College and Major: American Military University, Public Administration

What makes Penny a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Since beginning the program in the spring of 2018, Penny has shown a true dedication and passion for the MBA program. Her military background and previous degrees made her a prime candidate for the online MBA program at LSU and her academic performance has been nothing less than stellar. Penny had a successful career in the Air Force, is on track to successfully complete the MBA and certainly has a bright future ahead.

Penny’s post MBA career plan: My post-MBA career goal is to go back to my roots where I am most comfortable, the healthcare sector. I plan to continue and broaden my skills working for a pharmaceutical, health care system or medical equipment company. I also desire to learn a second language benefiting companies around the world.

Penny's description of her Online MBA experience: After a successful 20-year Air Force career, delivering five children and continuing a strong and loving 22-year marriage, I thought I was prepared for anything…man was I mistaken. My experience thus far in the LSU MBA program has been quite challenging yet so very rewarding. I am very pleased with the online application, the ease as to when and where I can log into class and the professors and fellow classmates have been beyond class act. As much as I would like to be in a classroom, I feel as though I am having the same connection and interaction online. I have truly been outside of my comfort zone, however, I am enjoying every moment of my online learning experience. I am excited to complete the graduate program and become a lifelong alumnus…Geaux Tigers!!
 

Rebecca Prince, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business

Rebecca Prince, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Rebecca's Undergrad College and Major: University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia), Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Law

What makes Rebecca a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Rebecca exemplifies what it means to be a global business leader. She possesses an incredible world view that stems from her vast international experience. Rebecca, who is originally from Australia, has worked in both China and the United States rising quickly through the ranks to become a Chief Financial Officer. She is a driven, strategic executive with a thoughtful, collaborative approach to solving today’s business problems in a global setting.

Rebecca’s post MBA career plan: In September, Rebecca was promoted to Chief Financial Officer at Carbonxt, Inc., which is committed to reducing environmental pollutants through the development of activated carbons. She possesses a clearly defined purpose to make the world a better place, and she plans to leverage her MBA to further those passions. After completing her MBA, Rebecca intends to continue her career in executive leadership to bring cutting-edge technologies to market.

Rebecca's description of her Online MBA experience: Before enrolling in the iMBA, my primary concern was the physical disconnect from students and faculty. On the contrary, through this program I built a global network of friends and colleagues, some of whom I am sure will be lifelong. I gained vicarious experience through working and collaborating with peers from many different industries and locations across the globe. The iMBA program does an excellent job of facilitating the networking experience for its online students. My online experience also enabled me to pursue other life goals alongside my MBA. Although I spent many hours completing coursework, I was generally able to arrange it around my family life. The coursework was manageable, even while working full time. The flexibility of the program helped with this, as I was able to align my course load with my work schedule, and adjust it if I had, for example, a particularly time-intensive project at work.

Roberto C. Llano, University of Arizona, Eller College of Management
University of Arizona, Eller College of Management

Roberto C. Llano, University of Arizona, Eller College of Management

Target Graduation Year: Spring 2019

Roberto's Undergrad College and Major: Arizona State University – B.S. in Computer Information Systems

What makes Roberto a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Roberto Llano’s metric success isn’t solely based on productivity achievements or increasing client satisfaction ratings. As a leader, it is very important to understand and subsequently align business needs with the individual skills of every contributor. He understands that the success of any team begins with its members and continues to expand his technical knowledge to position himself as an enabler rather than a contributor. Roberto also underscores the importance embracing diversity and the ability to provide empathy toward employees as part of his leadership philosophy.

Roberto's post MBA career plan: Roberto plans on seeking a senior executive role shortly after gaining valuable technical knowledge in different fields.

Roberto's description of his Online MBA experience: While the rigorous coursework of the Eller Online MBA program challenged me in every aspect of my life, it helped me uncover my true potential. I have a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and I sincerely hope my children, family, and friends will see me as an encouragement to pursue their goals.

Samuel Speet, University of Arizona, Eller College of Management
University of Arizona, Eller College of Management

Samuel Speet, University of Arizona, Eller College of Management

Target Graduation Year: Spring 2019

Samuel's Undergrad College and Major: Humbolt State University – B.S. Environmental Engineering Picture:

What makes Samuel a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Sam Speet’s background in academic research (M.S. in Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona) with the defense department has allowed him to gain firsthand experience on the importance of proper management and budgeting, and leading and working with highly trained groups of engineers. This experience later allowed him to be one of the youngest sections heads, influence the direction of his department, and implement best practices through the entire company. Sam’s proven record has gained the respect of his team and allowed him to further help his membership to accomplish some of their personal goals.

Samuel’s post MBA career plan: Sam plans on pursuing a career in a business focused management area.

Samuel's description of his Online MBA experience: The online program offered me the opportunity to gain my degree while still working and without having to sacrifice my entire life. The program continuously challenged me, and I learned more than I ever expected.

Steven Crane, Ohio University, College of Business
Ohio University, College of Business

Steven Crane, Ohio University, College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Stevens's Undergrad College and Major: American Military University; Criminal Justice

What makes Steven a Business Leader of Tomorrow? In the Marine Corps, leadership, courage, and determination are ingrained into each person. In today’s market, the ability to adapt to changing conditions and environments is critical to success. Additionally, the ability to mentor, lead, and develop cohesive teams and future leaders is what separates managers and leaders. I have traveled across the country and have always strived to leave something better than when I found it. With everything I do, I always remember the 3 H’s – Be Humble, Hungry, and Hustle.

Steven’s post MBA career plan: I plan to continue helping veterans successfully transition from the military into the civilian sector by providing them the training, education, tools, and mentorship needed to succeed.

Stevens's description of his Online MBA experience: The Online MBA program at Ohio University has challenged me not only as a professional but also as a leader. It has pushed me to consider the totality of my decisions, how I approach problems, and even how I help others on my team. The program is designed to expose students to various parts of an organization that they may otherwise never consider. While the program is certainly challenging, it is equally rewarding. Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the most exceptional individuals and professors through the Leadership Development Seminars. Overall, the Online MBA program offered at Ohio University has been exceptional and has truly strengthened not only my technical skills but my leadership skills as well.

Tiffany Reid, Villanova University, School of Business
Villanova University, School of Business

Tiffany Reid, Villanova University, School of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2020

Tiffany's Undergrad College and Major: Florida International University, International Business

What makes Tiffany a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Tiffany is in many ways the quintessential Villanova Business student. She has a tremendous enthusiasm for the field of international business - a core pillar of Villanova Business curricula - and a desire to share her knowledge and expertise with those around her. She has chartered her own course, and we are very excited to see where that journey leads.

Tiffany’s post MBA career plan: Tiffany currently works as a Global Investment Foreign Exchange Analyst and is up for promotion to Global Associate Manager. Her short-term goal is to transition smoothly into her new role as senior analyst of her current team. Long-term, Tiffany aspires to become the Managing Director of Global Trade Services with PGIM Fixed Income.

Tiffany's description of her Online MBA experience: I am having a wonderful experience so far within the program. Unlike other MBA programs, Villanova offers the Leadership Challenge Residency Weekend, which I took this Spring. I appreciated the design of the weekend, which taught me different leadership styles, teamwork, effective communication, business ethics and corporate social responsibility. I loved the unique opportunity to interact with multiple faculty members outside of a formal setting, as well as networking opportunities with my virtual colleagues while learning about multiple business principles. It is, in my humble opinion, an excellent introduction to the quality of education I am currently attaining while attending Villanova. Additionally, this has reinforced my decision in selecting Villanova as the university to pursue my MBA.

The curriculum format offered in the online program is best suited for me because I work full time and need to maintain work, home and school balance. At Prudential, my employer, there is an emphasis on having a global mindset. The Global Practicum capstone course is of great interest to me, especially since I work within Global Investment Management at Prudential. This opportunity to travel to another country and interact with various international business leaders will strengthen my knowledge of strategic, tenacious, and ethical decision making by leveraging a multicultural approach in a global marketplace. Additionally, I hope to contribute and share knowledge with my peers and professors attained from my experiences working with multiple international companies and individuals from around the world. I look forward to graduating from the Villanova School of Business, as the scholastic experiences and education attained over these two years will strengthen my foundation as a global thinker.

Tom Bialozor, University of Nevada, Reno, College of Business
University of Nevada, Reno, College of Business

Tom Bialozor, University of Nevada, Reno, College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Tom's Undergrad College and Major: University of San Francisco, Sociology

What makes Tom a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Tom has been nominated for Outstanding Student Recognition with OnlineMBAReport.com because of his strong academic accomplishments in the Executive online EMBA program at the University of Nevada, Reno. He has demonstrated an active leadership role in his group projects in the courses of the program. His solid professional and academic accomplishments qualify him for career advancement and leadership positions.

Tom’s post MBA career plan: Tom leaves the program with a level of mastery in many core business areas including finance, marketing, organizational leadership, and economics, and believes the knowledge and skills he has developed in these areas will serve him well as he continues down his path of health plan administration and management.

Tom's description of his Online MBA experience: Prior to enrolling with the Graduate College of Business at the University of Nevada, Reno, I had nearly twenty years of professional experience in health-related field(s) and a master’s degree in a different discipline. What initially stood out to me about EMBA program at this University was that it was truly a “best-in-class program,” as evidenced by the quality of the faculty and the AACSB accreditation. This EMBA program was also structured in a way that was flexible enough to continue to allow me to work full-time in a management position with my organization. Platforms such as Canvas; Go-To-Meeting; and Zoom Conference have really changed the delivery of educational content, and the EMBA instructors have continually leveraged this technology well to make the learning experience in the program both seamless and personalized. In addition, the emphasis on collaborative and team-based project work put me in position to make connections with other students that I expect to be long-lasting throughout my career.

Treva Loyd, Florida State University, College of Business
Florida State University

Treva Loyd, Florida State University, College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2019

Treva's Undergrad College and Major: North Carolina State University - Accounting

What makes Treva a Business Leader of Tomorrow? As the business world turns increasingly digital, Treva Loyd sought out FSU’s fully online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program to advance her career. For most of her career at Allegacy Federal Credit Union in North Carolina, Loyd has been responsible for leading and managing employees to meet goals for operational efficiencies and customer service. Recently she received a promotion to Digital Banking Manager, tasked with meeting similar goals for service and efficiencies on the credit union’s digital platforms. Loyd said lessons acquired from her MBA studies continue to equip her with the skills to excel in her new post. Her willingness to embrace a new career challenge and her readiness to employ newly acquired MBA knowledge and skills secure Loyd’s distinction as a Business Leader of Tomorrow.

Treva’s post MBA career plan: Treva has been employed with a local credit union for 12 years and upon completion of the MBA program, plans to continue employment at her current company - Allegacy Federal Credit Union. In fact, while in this program, she received a promotion to the role of Digital Banking Manager and plans to use the knowledge and skills acquired over the past two years to excel in this role and continue to create an exceptional digital experience for the members of her credit union.

Treva's description of her Online MBA experience: My experience in the Online MBA program has been exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it! Having decided to go back to school after 10 years and to complete my Master's Degree while working full-time was a big decision for me. However, everyone from coordinators, to professors, to classmates have all been so encouraging and helpful. With such a hectic schedule, being able to complete assignments, tests and projects on my own time was truly helpful. The professors understood that many of the students were also employed full-time and structured their classes to accommodate this. I also really enjoyed receiving the emails that kept me informed of what was happening on-campus which made me feel like a real part of the SEMINOLE FAMILY even though I am taking courses online and reside in North Carolina. This experience allowed me to meet many different people that shared in the desire to continue in education and that live literally all over the world. Even though some semesters were tough and I wondered what in the world I was thinking going back to school after all this time, I would not trade this experience for anything. I am blessed and honored to have been selected into the program and I know that the things I've learned will help me in my career for many years to come. I am proud to say - GO NOLES!

Ty Mitchell, West Texas A&M University, The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business
West Texas A&M University, The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business

Ty Mitchell, West Texas A&M University, The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business

Target Graduation Year: 2020

Ty's Undergrad College and Major: Albion College, Psychology and Theatre

What makes Ty a Business Leader of Tomorrow? The overarching benefit to having a student like Ty in a program is that they not only are great by themselves, but they have a way of raising the quality of all of those around them with their presence, abilities, and support. In writing this recommendation, it was difficult to write down just a few main, overarching points as to why Ty is a great student, mentor, and person as everyone we spoke to; faculty, other students, coworkers, had a variety of amazing things to say about him. He is a fun-loving person that has a great personality, while simultaneously being one of the hardest workers that anyone encounters. He is able to be a leader when needed, but knows how to take a support role when it is the best option. These and so many other positive things were shared with us and we are proud to say that we have been a part of his journey to attaining a Graduate Degree from our program.

Ty’s post MBA career plan: In my current role as a wealth advisor for a large financial firm, I advise our clients on their overall financial plans. The foundation that supports me in this work is laid with the FINRA series exams for financial planning to properly analyze and present my clients’ data, with a theatrical gift of empathetic gab, and a psychological understanding that financial and marital counseling are very closely related. As my career progresses, this WTAMU MBA provides me with a wide range of education, insight and perspective that helps round out the edges as I gravitate toward more coaching and leadership roles. I expect that this experience will help me expand my sphere of impact no matter where the road takes me.

Ty's description of his Online MBA experience: Living in San Antonio I had a handful of suggestions to choose from when seeking an MBA program. My requirements, I thought, were simple: A program with a strong track record, good technology to support the online environment, and engaging faculty and support staff to turn the digital island into a community. Well it turned out that the local suggestions found these criteria to be lofty, but WTAMU immediately far exceeded my expectations. Even before I applied my advisor had reached out to introduce herself and learn about me, and ever since she has been like family. I have also found that a vast amount of the MBA instructors have a contagious passion for their material, and are eager to implement changes to their course based on open-door feedback. As with everything else, you ultimately get what you give. I am thankful for the opportunity, the flexibility, and the community of this WTAMU MBA experience.

Yana Kalashnyk, George Washington University, School of Business
George Washington University, School of Business

Yana Kalashnyk, George Washington University, School of Business

Target Graduation Year: Fall 2019

Yana's Undergrad College and Major: Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, Major: Management

What makes Yana a Business Leader of Tomorrow? Yana Kalashnyk is a global citizen with vast experience working with international clients, immersing herself in various cultures in order to enhance her academic and professional skillset. Ms. Kalashnyk engages the world by taking advantage of our unique global experiential learning opportunities. She is rising business leader with a broad understanding of today’s global economy with real-world experience to support the academic foundation gained at GWSB.

Yana’s post MBA career plan: After completing her MBA, Yana would like to develop her career in real estate assets management.

Yana's description of her Online MBA experience: Being a frequent world traveler, I absolutely appreciate the opportunity to study my advanced business degree online, at my own pace, without sacrificing my personal life. The Online MBA program offered by GWU is just tailor-made for me. It not only gives me the flexibility to study while traveling, but the program also provides me with an opportunity to experience student life on campus by taking short elective classes. In addition, every semester, their Global & Experiential Education Office offers a number of short-term abroad experiences. So far, I have enriched my MBA experience by taking classes in Tel Aviv University (Israel), IPADE Business School (Mexico), Fudan University (China) and Universite Grenoble Alpes (France). These overseas courses in leading business schools around the world helped me to view business dilemmas from different perspectives and find creative solutions.