Family for Life: Finding Success as an Adult Learner
By Gordon Crawford (BBA '07, MBA '09)
As a working adult, the process of finding the right university to continue my education was a challenge. Three variables--in order of priority to me--had to be balanced: family, work and school. I started my search online and was led to MVNU.
Mount Vernon focuses on a process that allowed me to balance all my variables, and outlined a formula for personal success. MVNU is a large network with a personal feel, and this was important to me. The staff treated me like family even before I was enrolled.
MVNU focuses not only on education, but on helping each student find personal success in life, and demonstrates this with each and every step of the undergraduate and graduate programs. I did not expect such commitment initially, yet it is one that continues even beyond graduation. The programs are accelerated to help maximize the learning opportunities, and the staff’s composition is crafted to provide support. They offered just the right level of involvement to ensure my success. I developed many friendships through the MVNU experience and I forged a real bond with many of the MVNU staff as well.
What has my MVNU education done for me? I began the program as a leader in a Fortune "top 20" company--now I am a confident senior leader with the same company. Yes, I received a promotion; however, more important was the confidence MVNU instilled in me. The programs developed in me a sense of confidence in my work as well as my personal life. The liberal arts focus also played an important role, providing me with a well-rounded education and experience that will continue to only pay forward. Confidence is the major reward I gleaned from this program—doors have continued to open both professionally and personally.
Working adults looking for additional opportunities would do well to look at MVNU. Staff and faculty will work with you and suggest what you’ll need to accomplish your goals. And they will help you design a road map to get there. My initial concern was the time commitment required, but I found I finished before I knew it. I can look back now and see how quickly time went as I completed both the BBA and MBA programs.
The MVNU staff helps to make the journey achievable. They challenge the newcomer, for many of them have been in similar shoes and understand the balancing act required for success. My first class was with John Frazier, where he reminded us there are 168 hours in a week. He stressed that the management of time throughout one’s journey is critical. This simple lesson alone is worth its weight in gold. The professors in every class share their life experiences and ask students to share theirs as well. Classes are more than just learning curriculum--they were about developing an everlasting network. Conversely, the student has the opportunity to provide feedback on the quality of his/her professors and classes; this enables MVNU to stay focused on the goals of the students as well as the University’s.
After graduating from MVNU, you will find you have an extended family for life. I recently took my daughter to a local hospital, and learned that the physician in attendance had also started his educational journey with MVNU. We spent 30 minutes in the emergency room and talked as if we were old college friends--a sense of kinship was immediately present.
My educational journey at MVNU is one I will always be grateful for. For those looking to expand their horizons with a college degree, I would recommend the undergraduate programs at MVNU. For those who already have an undergraduate degree, I would also recommend MVNU’s graduate programs. This journey has changed my life forever.
Academics
Site Map