{"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":"2026-04-15T02:18:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T02:18:17","slug":"why-cgs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/graduate\/why-cgs\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumni & Student Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"grad<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
View Jessie’s Story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\"Jessie<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"Ronald<\/figure>
\n

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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