Cedarville Magazine, Fall 2016

Program Highlights M.B.A. § § Biblical worldview and practical application in each course § § Seven-week terms provide flexibility for working professionals § § Interactive course websites optimized for multiple devices including computers, tablets, and smartphones § § Affordable tuition and available financial aid § § Dedicated program adviser ensures support while you pursue your degree and maintain other commitments § § Cohort-based approach builds community and network for Christian business professionals “Cedarville prepares you for the business world, but at the same time, they teach you principles of leadership and problem-solving that line up with the Bible and with Christ. That was one of the greatest takeaways for me.” Tina Jones, M.B.A. ’15 Learn more and apply: cedarville.edu/MBA Master of Business Administration Tina Jones, M.B.A. ’15, a Financial Aid Specialist with Clark State Community College in Springfield, Ohio, wanted to position herself for future job growth, but she also wanted to learn in a Christ-centered environment. She had a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from The Ohio State University but knew an M.B.A. would be a good move. “I wanted that Christ-centered foundation,” Jones explained. “That’s what Cedarville is. They prepare you for the business world, but at the same time, they teach you principles of leadership and problem-solving that line up with the Bible and with Christ. That was one of the greatest takeaways for me.” PREPARATION FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES Because of his M.B.A., Robinson was positioned to make a move into his dream job. “Out of the blue one day, a friend calls me and asks, ‘If I was going to retire or leave, would you want my job?’” he recalled. “I responded, ‘Oh my goodness, don’t tell me this if you’re not serious.’ I had always been secretly jealous of him having that job. It was a real blessing fromGod.” So, with eight months still left in his M.B.A., Robinson moved from manager of a small ad agency with six employees to the Chief Marketing Officer for the Maine Veterans’ Homes, a network of nursing and rehabilitation facilities with close to 2,000 employees serving nearly 700 veterans daily. “It was a big step. I would not have been ready if not for the Cedarville M.B.A. program. “Prior to this program I had never read anything on Harvard Business Review or in Forbes ,” he said. “Our CEO circulates a flyer that has snippets of business articles, and we’re supposed to comment on them during a round table discussion. Because of the research and writing I did for the program, I can immediately latch onto concepts and then expound and debate about them, and I know where to find more information.” SUPPORT BEYOND EXPECTATIONS Sterkenburg himself wishes he could have taken the Cedarville M.B.A. when he was seeking a graduate program in the 1990s. “I really missed the biblical integration,” he said. “I relied on fellow Christian students and Bible studies at work to provide that missing piece. “We give students that Christian and biblical worldview, and the interaction with other students, which, even though it’s online, can be based in faith,” Sterkenburg added. “If they’re struggling with something in the workplace, and it applies to something they just learned in class, they can share with colleagues quite freely.” Robinson appreciated that greatly. “There were a couple of guys who were older and had a lot of experience,” he said. “In the online discussions, I found their insights really valuable. There was a multigenerational aspect to the conversations, paired with a strong thread of Christian worldview throughout the program, which was really valuable.” Jones found the support she received extremely beneficial. “When I was having trouble, I would call Mr. [Curtis] Cline [’90, Director of Online Student Success] and he’d give me advice, counsel me, offer Scriptures to think about, and pray for me,” she said. “That was enough to encourage me to continue on. And it wasn’t just one time, but several times. I’ve never received that type of support from another university.” Sterkenburg is proud of the Cedarville M.B.A.’s quality and academic rigor as it compares to other online programs. But what distinguishes the degree even more is the camaraderie among the students who are seeking to honor Christ in the business world. “This kind of environment is a real encouragement,” he said. “We’re fellow sojourners here on earth and getting our M.B.A.s.” Clem Boyd is Managing Editor of Cedarville Magazine . With a Cedarville M.B.A., you’re getting, for the same dollar as other M.B.A.s, the additional joy of having a biblical approach to life and your value system reinforced. Cedarville Magazine | 17