By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – There are many reasons to pursue a Master of Business Administration.
The graduate degree is a great option for individuals looking to further develop their professional skills, advance in their careers, increase their earning potential or simply accomplish a personal goal.
At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, students from across the state, country and world are taking advantage of this opportunity. Nearly 100 people were enrolled in MBA courses during the spring semester, and a record 21 graduates received degrees through the blended program last month.
“UNK offers the most affordable AACSB-accredited MBA program in the state, delivering both high-quality business education and a strong return on investment,” said Dustin Favinger, senior director of career development and graduate programs in the College of Business and Technology. “Our students gain the tools they need to be successful leaders, whether they want to grow their own business, move up in an organization or pivot to a new industry. An MBA from UNK provides the knowledge and skills to take that next step.”
KICK-STARTING A CAREER
For Chloe Dakan, a master’s degree opened the door to a variety of opportunities, including a career in the banking industry.
The Kearney native earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UNK in December 2023, then decided to remain on campus to pursue an MBA while working as a graduate assistant in the College of Business and Technology.
“My initial plan didn’t include an MBA; however, the job opportunities that were available when I graduated didn’t align with my interests,” she explained. “I felt like I could do better with a little more education. Once I started the MBA program, I immediately knew I made the right decision.”
Dakan appreciated the “personal touch” that UNK provides. She formed close relationships with her professors – many of whom she already knew from her undergraduate studies – and gained additional knowledge from classroom discussions that allow the students to share their professional experiences and insights.
“The professors really encouraged those conversations,” she said. “There’s a ton of engagement between students, whether you’re in person or attending remotely, so it’s a lot easier to get to know each other.”
Dakan also created connections through the Graduate Student Association and she served as a representative on the UNK Graduate Council, ensuring students had a say in decisions that impact programs and policies.
As a graduate assistant, she worked with employers to organize networking and recruitment events on campus, led the College of Business and Technology Living Learning Community and coordinated the NEXT program, a partnership with the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce that exposes students to local businesses and career opportunities while developing their leadership and professional skills.
“Working as a graduate assistant in the College of Business and Technology was an extremely valuable experience. I got to interact with companies in a professional role and enhance the leadership, decision-making and communication skills that are so desirable in today’s workforce,” said Dakan, who also completed a summer internship in marketing and human resources with LandMark Implement.
Before she completed her MBA last month, Dakan was hired as the treasury management officer for Pinnacle Bank in southwest Nebraska. Based in McCook, the regional role focuses on helping businesses improve their cash flow, working capital and overall financial performance while mitigating any potential risks.
“There will be a lot of learning because it’s a brand-new position, but I’m definitely ready for it,” Dakan said. “I’m excited for this opportunity.”
TRANSITION TO TEACHING
Flexibility is another strength of the MBA program at UNK.
Because many students are also balancing careers, families and other responsibilities, courses are offered both in person and through synchronous instruction via Zoom, along with content delivered entirely online.
“Our program is designed with working professionals in mind,” Favinger said. “We understand that every student has different needs and preferences. That’s why we offer both in-person and online options, allowing them to choose the format that fits their lifestyle without sacrificing quality. Many courses are also available in a shorter, eight-week format, so you can take the same number of credit hours each semester while focusing on fewer classes at a time.”
The program includes 21 credit hours of core classes along with 12 hours of electives that can be customized to match a student’s specific interests and career goals. Specialized elective clusters are available in areas such as business and IT education, financial analysis, human resources/health care, marketing/sales and data analytics.
Kylee Sterkel recently completed her MBA with an emphasis in business and IT education.
Originally from North Dakota, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in health administration, then spent several years working in the health care industry.
In 2020, Sterkel and her husband Sean moved to his hometown of Bridgeport in western Nebraska when he was hired as the high school boys basketball and strength training coach. Sterkel joined Bridgeport Public Schools as an administrative assistant in late 2021 and was approached about a teaching position the following year.
That led her to UNK’s Transitional Certification Program, which provides an alternative pathway for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher who want to become certified teachers in Nebraska. The program includes a mix of online courses and field experiences, giving participants an opportunity to start working in the classroom while earning their state certification.
Sterkel completed the Transitional Certification Program in May 2024 and immediately enrolled in classes to add an MBA to her resume.
“Through the Transitional Certification Program, I developed really strong relationships with my professors that allowed me to become a better teacher in the classroom,” she said. “It just seemed like a natural transition. With an MBA, there’s an extra level of knowledge I can share with my students and additional opportunities I can provide for them.”
Taking a mix of online and hybrid courses – usually two at a time – Sterkel earned her MBA in just 12 months. It wasn’t always easy, the mother of two young boys admits, but the support she received from faculty and classmates definitely helped.
“The professors were all very understanding,” she said. “That’s what made it such a good experience. Because of the relationships I built with other students and professors, they’re now people I can call my friends and reach out to if I need help with anything in my career.”
Sterkel teaches high school business, computer science, accounting, marketing, personal finance and college/career prep classes and serves as the work-based learning coordinator. With an MBA in hand, she plans to add dual-credit courses for her students.
“As an educator, one thing that really excites me is seeing the students grow and take the next step in their lives,” Sterkel said. “This is another way I can support their success.”
