{"id":85,"date":"2024-08-07T19:16:39","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T19:16:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/graduate\/?page_id=85"},"modified":"2026-10-23T02:07:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T02:07:21","slug":"why-cgs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/graduate\/why-cgs\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumni & Student Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"MTSU<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Diya<\/figure>
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Diya Patel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Strategic Marketing Analytics, M.B.A. ’27<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I didn’t want a generic MBA\u2014I wanted to sharpen my marketing analytics skills so I could back up creative ideas with real data. MTSU offered a dedicated concentration, and the flexible online format allows me to advance my education without pausing my career.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Diya’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Anna Jacobellis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Management, Organizational Leadership, M.S., ’27<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An MTSU alumna pursuing her master\u2019s in management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership through the Lightning Track program. A proven student leader, she previously directed MTSU\u2019s Homecoming and founded an award-winning philanthropy event for Ronald McDonald House Charities. She is now pairing that hands-on experience with advanced leadership and business training to launch a career in corporate event planning, with long-term goals of opening an event venue in Middle Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Anna’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\"RJ<\/figure>
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R.J. Ware<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teaching, Secondary Education Concentration, M.A.T., ’28<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYouth of the Year\u201d by the Murfreesboro branch of the NAACP<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

94th Student Body President of MTSU<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dedicated graduate student in the College of Education, RJ chose MTSU for its unique blend of big-university resources and tight-knit community feel. After shaping campus life through impactful student leadership roles, he is continuing his journey as a grad student. He is deepening his connections with faculty and gaining hands-on, practical experience to make a lasting impact in education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read R.J.’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hannah Dye<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Strategic Marketing Analytics, M.B.A., ’27<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Choosing MTSU wasn\u2019t just about staying close to home\u2014it was about choosing a place that already felt like home.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grounded by strong community roots in Murfreesboro, this student is pairing hometown connection with practical business preparation. Through real-world coursework and collaborative projects, they are gaining the strategic mindset and confidence to step straight into the industry. Through her graduate assistantship at the Jones College of Business, she is gaining hands on experience for her future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Hannah’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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Chelsea Dolan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Professional Counseling, Ed.S., ’27 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I missed the community and support that attending MTSU has always brought me.” A proud Murfreesboro native and double Raider, this graduate student returned to MTSU after discovering that no other institution could match the supportive campus community she found here. Now enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master\u2019s program, she is gaining essential, direct client experience in clinical settings\u2014preparing to enter the mental health profession with deep empathy, hands-on confidence, and a strong foundation for clinical care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Chelsea’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Michael White<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Assessment, Learning, and Student Success in Higher Education, Ed.D. ’26<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional Studies, Training and Development Concentration, M.P.S ’23<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A three-time Blue Raider who earned his B.S. in Liberal Studies in 2019 and then continued on to earn his M.P.S. and then his Ed.D. in 2026. Driven by a passion for university leadership and student advocacy, Michael leveraged his doctoral studies and graduate assistantship to step directly into his current role as a Graduate Admissions and Records Analyst at MTSU. Today, he channels his academic research and personal resilience into supporting fellow graduate students and shaping institutional success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Michael’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\"Calle<\/figure>
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Calle Shwani<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Administration and Supervision, M.Ed., ’28 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She originally had her sights set on attending other universities to prepare for veterinary medicine. Her love for the MTSU dairy farm shifted her perspective, and what began as a routine student job quickly grew into four years of hands-on leadership, club presidency, and statewide recognition. Along the way, encouragement from faculty mentors and a deep connection to the agricultural community inspired her to pivot from veterinary school toward higher education, setting her on a clear path to become an agriculture professor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Calle’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Quin’Teria Gathers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Professional Science, Healthcare Informatics, M.S. ’27<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I chose this program to integrate my background in computer science within the healthcare environment. My career goal is to work in healthcare informatics and eventually move into leadership roles where I can help implement innovative technologies that improve patient outcomes and improve accessibility to healthcare services. What I love the most is flexibility and also my classmates and professors. My classmates and professors make me enjoy showing up each and every day.”<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Quin'Teria<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Raqueal<\/figure>
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Raquel Barbalat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Media and Communications, M.S. ’25<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An international graduate student in MTSU\u2019s Communication master\u2019s program and a proud mother of two, she took a brave leap as a nontraditional student to study in Tennessee. She thrives on rich classroom discussions applying communication theory to real-world issues, and she took on a leadership role by becoming Editor-in-Chief of Collage<\/em>, MTSU\u2019s literary magazine. Her journey is proof that you don’t need everything figured out to start, just the courage to take the first step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Raquel’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Nyasaina Kwamboka<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

International Affairs, M.A., ’26<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kenyan native Nyasaina Kwamboka completed an accelerated Master of Arts in International Affairs with a 4.0 GPA at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, focusing her graduate research on energy sovereignty and geothermal development in East Africa’s Rift Valley. Beyond her coursework, she served as a graduate assistant collaborating on interdisciplinary, NSF-recommended climate and community research, co-authored a forthcoming peer-reviewed book chapter, and continued leading her nonprofit, the African Environmental Youth Advisory, which champions environmental education, renewable energy field research, and social initiatives in Kenya. With her degree complete, Kwamboka aims to advance policy and development at the intersection of energy economics, climate finance, and public policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Nyasaina’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\"Nyasaina<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Ella<\/figure>
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Ella Cobb<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Strategic Marketing Analytics, M.B.A, ’26<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As she prepares to walk the stage at the Summer 2026 Commencement, Ella\u2019s biggest piece of advice for incoming graduate students is to get involved and build connections across campus. She stresses the importance of finding your “why,” reaching out to faculty, administrators, and peers, and exploring options like assistantships to fund your degree. While graduate school demands significant time and dedication, Ella\u2019s experience shows that surrounding yourself with the MTSU community makes the journey both manageable and deeply rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Ella’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Steve T. Phan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

History, Public History M.A., ’17<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The graduate program at MTSU, especially working with Dr. Robert Hunt, was instrumental to my development as a historian, both in academia and public history. He challenged my research, writing, and very approach to the field of history\u2014the way I read and interpreted primary resources, forged and supported arguments, and developed my prose. It\u2019s tools and skills I use daily, and I\u2019m incredibly grateful for the experience. It was challenging and unrelenting, both worth every minute.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Steve’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\"Caroline<\/figure>
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Caroline Acree<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Management, Organizational Leadership M.S., ’22<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“During the program and still to this day, I find myself consistently working to improve my behaviors based on my class learnings. I find myself opening my mind based on my different class teachings about negotiation, business ethics, motivation, leadership, organizational development, and strategic decision making.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Caroline’s Story!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Jeffrey Keever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Orchestral Conducting M.M., ’21<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I would say that graduate students should learn and do as much as they can in their craft while they are studying for a graduate degree in a specific field. Although it is a lot of work and can take up so much of your time, the experiences and knowledge you are able to achieve while under top professionals in your craft is unlimited and is always easily at your disposal during your studies. Alongside that, I also would recommend making as many connections within your studies as possible, both in your degree area and outside of that area. These connections are invaluable and help you immeasurably in your career, regardless of what you decide to do in the future.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Jeffrey’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\"Rosemary<\/figure>
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Rosemary Akharume<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Information Systems, M.S. ’23<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My advice to prospective graduate students would be to have an open mind. The world is filled with endless possibilities of what you can do, where you can go, and who you can be. So, set goals and have a plan, but don\u2019t limit yourself to only what you already know.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Rosemary’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Jessie Buntin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Management, Organizational Leadership, M.S. ’22<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My supervisor, Dr. Dan Morrell recommended that I participate in the MTSU Business competition, and I’m glad he did. After three rounds, we won first place. This was really encouraging to our business, and many things that I learned throughout my Master of Science program I was able to implement within my business. Some of the highlights of the degree was learning about diversity in the workplace and building a strong organizational culture.”
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View Jessie’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\"Ronald<\/figure>
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Ronald Roberts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mass Communication, B.S. ’84; Administration and Supervision, M.Ed. ’91<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advice would you give to a prospective student thinking about graduate school? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Think about the benefits both personally and professionally.  Even though my master\u2019s degree is in Education, a lot of the tools and skills I learned in classes have helped me throughout my career.  But you have to be serious about it.  Graduate school is not a place to experiment.  You need to be focused.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Ronald’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Ben Burnley<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Media and Communication, M.S. 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burnley, who holds a bachelor\u2019s degree from Florida State University and received his master\u2019s degree in media and communication last month from MTSU\u2019s College of Media and Entertainment, has been accepted at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His new awareness led him to enroll in MTSU\u2019s Media and Communication Master\u2019s Program, where his master\u2019s degree research included his 2019 Scholars Week poster, \u201cNews Feeds and Salience: How Social Media Use Feeds News Awareness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Ben’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\"Claire<\/figure>
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Claire Robinson <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Integrated Studies, B.S. with minors in Health and Biology, ’19; Public Health, Community Health, M.P.H. ’21<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What takeaways did you get from MTSU and the program that have\/ you hope will impact your career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I am pretty Type A and I find that I need a lot of structure, but we aren\u2019t always afforded that luxury. Sometimes life happens, or even a global pandemic, and you have to roll with the punches as best as you can. I think that the MPH program did an amazing job helping to prepare me for unprecedented events, being able to think on my toes, and adapt to change accordingly.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Claire’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Jessica Prater<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Psychology, M.A., Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2010<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What advice would you give to a prospective student thinking about graduate school?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The most important thing is to think about how graduate school will help advance your career. For me, I chose a program based on the outcomes I wanted for my career. There are many different paths, and clearly linking your studies with your goals will help lead to success. This means asking hard questions of yourself (what do I want to achieve?) and the programs you are considering (how does this program help get me there?). Also, NOW IS THE TIME to look at graduate school. An economic crisis is the perfect time to reskill and prepare for the next step.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Jessica’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\"Jessica<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Von<\/figure>
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Von Richcreek<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Liberal Studies, B.S., 2018; Professional Studies, M.P.S., 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI appreciated the flexibility that the online courses provided,\u201d Richcreek said. \u201cQuitting my job to go back to school was not an option, and I\u2019m glad that MTSU offered this opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe professors were very skilled and knowledgeable, and my adviser was a huge help in determining exactly what courses to take and when. She was also extremely helpful in handling all of the little things that arose over the course of my degree program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Von’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Leslie Trail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Assessment, Learning, and Student Success (ALSI), Ed.D. current student<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My favorite part of attending MTSU has been working with the faculty in the ALSI program. The professors in this program believe in student growth and achievement and push participants to also believe in student growth and achievement. I see my own philosophies of education shifting because of the texts and discussions that they facilitate.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My best advice for anyone thinking about graduate school – for whatever reason you seek that higher degree – is to take the leap forward and begin the program of your choice.  There is nothing to lose in seeking this graduate degree and everything to gain both personally and professionally.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read Leslie’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\"Leslie<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Nosakhare<\/figure>
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Nosakhare Igie<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chemistry, B.S, 2015; Chemistry, M.S., 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why MTSU?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“So many reasons! I am just going to list them out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low cost of graduate tuition<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n