Bellevue University student Chris Lozano, far right, shares family time with, left to right: son Aiden, wife Tracy, and son Hunter.

Balance is Key to MBA Student's Success

If you lead a busy life, and you are considering a graduate degree, Chris Lozano will tell you, "With effort, dedication, and time management skills, it can be accomplished."

With a goal of earning his MBA next year, Lieutenant Edward "Chris" Lozano is an example of how one can juggle multiple life priorities, including the pursuit of a graduate degree.

Lozano is a Lead Weapons Instructor and a Naval Aviator, currently stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. His job as the Task Force Fleet Introduction Team Program Manager entails frequent travel to negotiate multi-million dollar contracts.

The father to two boys, Hunter, 5, and Aiden, 1, and husband to Tracy, who owns her own court reporting company, Lozano finds time to coach his sons' athletic teams, and volunteer for various community and church activities.

"When I assumed the additional responsibilities of working with vendors, I had very little training," Lozano says. "I am committed to protecting U.S. tax dollars, and saw how I could improve my business skills by earning my MBA with a concentration in Acquisition and Contract Management."

Flexibility and Credibility

Bellevue University was at the top of his list when selecting a graduate school. "Through research and evaluation, I decided that the MBA offered by Bellevue University provided me the necessary accreditation and flexibility to advance my education and business skills," Lozano says. "I have a schedule that demands traveling approximately three weeks a month, which would have made it difficult, if not impossible, to attend regular lectures and regular meeting times. Bellevue University is the ideal institution for hard working, dedicated, and disciplined individuals who need a flexible academic schedule to pursue higher education.

"It's important to me that a school is accredited. I am not going to invest the time, effort, or money required to earn an accredited degree unless it is something to be proud of. Furthermore, I was impressed that Bellevue University was one of the first to offer online graduate programs," Lozano says.

Lozano reports he has completed two of his classes while stationed in London, England, and in Stuttgart, Germany. "No matter where I am, the Internet and the class flexibility allows me to meet the assignment requirements and continue to interact with my classmates for group projects."

Building Relationships

In his work and his studies, Lozano says that relationships and ongoing feedback are invaluable. "By increasing my communication ability through education and building relationships with vendors, I have been able to successfully negotiate millions of dollars in government contracts," he says.

This same philosophy is the foundation of his graduate work. "Balancing all my priorities wouldn't be possible without the support of my family, as well as my classmates."

Lozano credits Ann Marie Johnson, from Tennessee, and Misty Leinberger from Norfolk, Virginia, both of whom are working toward their MBA with a concentration in Healthcare, as people he can count on to help him achieve his personal and professional goals. "We have developed a network of support, friendship, and lasting relations that helps during the difficult weeks of the semester," Lozano says of his cross-country friends. "They keep me challenged and informed."

So does Bellevue University Marketing Professor Julia Cronin-Gilmore. Lozano says Professor Gilmore provides her students with regular feedback, and challenges them to consider options, which can lead to intense discussions. "Professor Gilmore really makes you think. She was incredibly involved with us, and ensured that we finished her classes with knowledge and information that will help us in the future. I have learned so much in the last year, it's unbelievable," Lozano notes.

Lozano's long-range plans include attending law school and becoming a patent attorney. "I am a competitive person with a thirst for knowledge and education. This curriculum is pertinent to my current job as a government Program Manager, and a stepping stone to my future. With an accredited MBA from Bellevue University and nearly perfect GPA, the opportunity for acceptance to law school is excellent."

Bellevue University students Rick and Rebekah Lansdon play with their dog, Farley, during a brief break from work and studies

Earning Degrees Online Fits Offutt AFB Linguist and Spouse

In many ways, Knoxville, Tennessee, natives Rick and Rebekah Lansdon are a typical military family – busy 20-somethings, married, two incomes, first-time home buyers, no kids (yet), and a dog they named Farley, because his round face reminded them of late actor Chris Farley. Both are completing bachelor’s degrees online at Bellevue University.

Although Bellevue University's main campus is near Offutt Air Force Base where Rick is currently stationed, the ability to complete a program online is critical for Rebekah. She finished a vocational training program after high school, and works at an Omaha oral surgery practice. "Our job schedules vary. Online is really the only way we'd have time to do it," she said.

The couple first began exploring their options for additional education shortly after moving to the Omaha area nearly two years ago from Monterey, California, where Rick trained for a year at the federal Defense Language Institute.

Rick is an airborne cryptologic linguist with the 97th Intelligence Squadron in the Air Force's 55th Wing at Offutt. The senior airman researched several colleges and universities before choosing Bellevue University's online Bachelor of Science Degree in World Security and Strategic Studies. A fellow serviceman recommended the program, and Rick felt it was a good fit for his career and future plans. He and two other Air Force coworkers enrolled in the program and plan to graduate in June. He intends to enroll in Bellevue University's Master of Science in Security Management degree program this fall.

Rebekah is enrolled in the University's accelerated Bachelor of Science in Business degree program, and will finish this fall. "I decided a business major would prepare me for career advancement in my current career field or elsewhere. I only wish I had started sooner. I would be finished now."

The Lansdons credit Bellevue University’s admissions and enrollment staff for helping them get started, including transferring qualified academic credits from other institutions and training programs. Prior to enlisting in the Air Force, Rick completed two years at the University of Tennessee, majoring in finance. Rebekah was able to transfer credits from her vocational training program.

Rick and Rebekah also appreciate the timeliness and relevance of their Bellevue University courses, noting that they are able to apply what they learn in their studies directly to their current jobs.

For more information about Bellevue University’s online undergraduate and graduate degree programs, visit www.Bellevue.edu.

Proudly displaying his leadership award from the Association of Surgical Technologists, John Ratliff notes that he applies what he learns at Bellevue University in his job every day.

Adult Education Program Led to Career Changes for Student John Ratliff

Enrolling in Bellevue University's online Bachelor of Science in Adult Education program led to rapid changes in John Ratliff's life, including a chance to grow as a surgical technology teacher.

Less than a year ago, Ratliff and his family lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, and he was a five-year member of the Surgical Technology program faculty at Southeast Community College in nearby Milford. Today, they live in South Carolina, where he directs the Surgical Technology Program at York Technical College, Rock Hill.

"I began Bellevue University's Adult Education program in February 2008, and immediately started applying new knowledge about learning domains, instructional design, and teaching strategies," Ratliff said. "I began to grow as a person and a teacher and was implementing the new knowledge in my classes."

Ratliff is a member of the Association of Surgical Technologists' (AST) national board of directors, and he received the Nebraska AST State Assembly Leadership Award and national "AST Educator of the Year Award" in 2008. "When I knew the time was right to pursue a new teaching position, I contacted Bellevue University's Career Avenues staff for assistance. They helped me prepare my curriculum vitae." He became Program Director at York Technical College in August 2008. "The vitae and the teaching philosophy I developed through the Adult Education program helped me land this position," Ratliff said. "One of the job interviewers commented that my teaching philosophy was especially beneficial.

"As I approach the end of my Adult Education program, reflecting on what I've learned from the curriculum and my instructor, Julie Taylor-Costello, I will always be grateful for how Julie treated me as a student. The program changed my teaching style; it changed my life. It made me a more caring, patient, and understanding person and teacher, sensitive to the needs and special circumstances of the students. They have made many positive comments on my teaching style and my use of different methodologies," Ratliff said.

"The Adult Education program is designed to help professional educators and trainers become better at what they already do – teach others," said Taylor-Costello, Program Instructor and Director. "Our program builds upon the strong foundation many of the students already have by challenging, supporting, and understanding them, and doing all we can to help them succeed. It is important that they learn from the books, projects, and class discussions, but also from the example that the program faculty members model to them. As instructors, we work with students as individuals. We realize that as adult learners and as educators themselves, they all have more than enough on their plates," Taylor-Costello said.

"Bellevue University has helped me to see my potential as a teacher," Ratliff said. "I am starting to settle into my new career and have made some changes in the program. I hope to do more program development here, incorporating more of what I've learned about Adult Education. I will start the Kirkpatrick Signature Series courses in August. When I complete my degree work later this year, I will be the first person in my family to earn a bachelor's degree."

Completing her degree from Bellevue University opened fields of opportunity for Lori Schneekloth, who is seen enjoying the native prairie land on her family's farm.

Alum Credits Bellevue University for Giving Her Courage to Pursue Her Dream

While growing up in Nashville, Tennessee, Lori Schneekloth looked forward to summers on her grandparents' farm in Missouri. As a "city girl," she found a sense of peace and an appreciation for nature during her visits to the Midwest. She didn't know then how her childhood experiences would plant the seed for her future career, and how Bellevue University would help her achieve her goals. "Things happen for a reason. Life happens," Schneekloth said. "I attended college in Missouri to become a teacher, then I got married and started my family," she said.

Today, Schneekloth is the Director of Operations for The Nature Conservancy, Nebraska Chapter. The Nature Conservancy's mission is to preserve plants, animals, and natural communities for future generations. From the Omaha office, Schneekloth leads the operations function for 22 staff members statewide and directs core activities pertaining to finance and accounting, human resources, facility maintenance, and also serves as a liaison with The Nature Conservancy's Regional and Worldwide offices.

However, the route to her dream job had a number of twists and turns along the way, before she completed her liberal arts degree from Bellevue University in 2002.

Before enrolling at Bellevue University, she took jobs with an ad agency, a TV station, an engineering firm, and was a paraprofessional at an elementary school. She realized education was no longer her career path, and spent more than a decade employed in healthcare administration.

"I had reached a point in my career where I needed a bachelor's degree to advance. After researching several schools, I found Bellevue University to be the only one geared toward a non-traditional student like myself," she said. "I was working full-time, and Bellevue University offered accelerated degree completion programs with classes in the evening and on weekends.

"When I decided to return to school after 20 years, my priority was to have career options," Schneekloth noted. "Although I enjoyed my healthcare job, my professors and fellow students at Bellevue University helped me look 'outside the box.' Being exposed to people outside of healthcare opened my eyes to all of the opportunities," she said. "I asked myself what I really loved, and remembered my experiences on my grandparents' farm." Fate stepped in, when Schneekloth read a classified ad in the newspaper for a position with The Nature Conservancy, and she knew she had found her calling.

"I learned so much at Bellevue University, and I continue to use what I learned every day in my job. Bellevue University taught me that just because you start on one path, you don’t have to stay there. With my education from Bellevue University, I accomplished my goals, and I am so glad I 'looked outside the box'!"

Education has been important in alumnus David Larrick's career

Education, opportunities, and a desire to advance have been keys to career success for David Larrick. Larrick, a 2007 graduate of the University's Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management degree program, is Senior Marketing Specialist at the new Bellevue Medical Center.

His story, although unique, is in many ways typical of the University's graduates — career-oriented, married with children, and involved in the community. "After I finished high school, I worked a variety of different jobs. But I could see that without more education, it would be a lifetime of having a job but not a career. Going back to school was a way to change that." While continuing to work, Larrick pursued and completed an associate's degree in Graphic Arts at Metro Community College. "I got a job in graphic arts at a local company. While there, I learned that I really enjoyed the marketing aspect of the position," Larrick said.

His first healthcare related job involved marketing for an Omaha skilled care facility that is part of a regional corporation. "My boss encouraged me to get my bachelor's degree, and I chose Bellevue University. Eventually, I learned about a marketing position at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair, Nebraska. It was an opportunity to use my degree." Larrick worked there two years before hearing about the Bellevue Medical Center position through networking connections with other area marketing professionals. Larrick said the phrase Real Learning for Real Life really resonates with his experience. "Now that I have my degree and seven or eight years in the healthcare field, I can look back and see that I am on a path where, although I have had several different jobs, I have a career."

Larrick said his future also will likely include more education. After his wife, Alicia, finishes classes on the program she's currently taking, he hopes to begin work on an MBA or other advanced degree.

He is involved in the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce's Bellevue Young Professionals group and Leadership Bellevue, another Chamber-related program.

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