Bellevue University Students on Their Way to the Top

In October 2004, twenty-one students in Professor Lucy Franks’s Management class started working toward completing their bachelor’s degrees at Bellevue University. During that time, over half of them have received promotions within their current companies or moved on to bigger, better jobs – and brighter futures. You might identify with some of their stories.

Front row, left to right: Jody Pfaff, Maggie Menard, Jennifer Johnson, Sue Klein, Rogene Spanton Back Row: Dr. Franks, Melissa Goheen, Joann Laymon, Adam Nelson, Sheri Schulz, Chad Marquis, Larry Legg, Amy Graham, Christine Scott, Sarah Poursharafeddin, Mervin Vassar Not Shown: Dustin Talacko, Margy Bell, Christine Nath, Matt Kreifels, Lori Wynn

Every day our graduates let us know how far their degrees are taking them. Recently, Professor Lucy Franks, Ph.D., told us of several students in just one of her classes who have landed new jobs or enjoyed promotions due to their Bellevue University coursework. Here are their stories:



Maggie Menard, Bachelor of Science in Management, graduates January 2006.

“I loved the program so much, I’m ready to get started on earning my master’s degree.”

Maggie Menard spent several years working clerical jobs but always felt she could do and be more. A position opened up at a local business solutions company and while it was described as “helping” on accounts, Maggie had a feeling about this job. So she took the position and discovered that if she had her college degree, she could make this job a career. She already had her associate’s degree so she turned to Bellevue University to complete her bachelor’s degree, and the change for her was immediate. “I learned in class what a successful company should do. Every day I brought a new idea or business process to work that I had learned in class.” Today Maggie is definitely “helping” on accounts…she’s the Marketing Manager for the company.



	Adam Nelson, Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, graduates Summer 2006.

“Bellevue University is providing me with an IQ in business that I never had before.”

Many people might think if there is any place you could get ahead in life without a college degree it would be in a family business. Not true! Adam Nelson found that out. He works in his family’s business, an RV dealership, but discovered the only way to management is through a college degree. Adam chose Bellevue University to complete his degree because they were so understanding of the need to balance work and class. Adam is already using what he’s learning in class, applying it to real life situations on the job, and he’s looking forward to earning his master’s degree in the future.

Maggie and Adam, who started classes in October 2004, are just two classmates in Bellevue University’s accelerated management degree completion program. Already eleven of those students, including Maggie and Adam, have either found new jobs in better positions with higher salaries or received promotions with their current companies.

Dustin Talacko parlayed an internship into a full-time job with the Omaha Beef football team as a result of his Bellevue University experience.
Jennifer Johnson moved up the ladder with her company, First National Bank, having earned her degree from Bellevue University.
Sue Klein is the first Human Resource Director at Pella Corporation. She was hired as a result of taking the initiative to go back to school to earn her degree at Bellevue University. Sue will graduate in January 2006.
Jody Pfaff also will participate in commencement in January, earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Management. Jody has already started a new job with a bright future.



Jody Pfaff, Bachelor of Science in Management, graduates January 2006.

“I know if I hadn’t been working toward earning my degree, I wouldn’t have this great job.”

And the list goes on. These students represent many of the students at Bellevue University. They have recognized what our programs, class schedules, and supportive faculty and staff can do for them; they are seeing doors open because of what they are learning here. If you’re ready for doors to open for you, call us to enroll today. You’ll be making the move that starts your rise to the top.

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