2008 Woodie Awards
In their shoes
Mariani works towards MBA in business administration
By: Stephanie Tyrpak
Issue date: 4/11/07 Section: Entertainment & Features
- Page 1 of 1
| |
| |
|
Staff Writer
North Greenville University's T. Walter Brashier Graduate School began its first classes on February 6, 2006. The graduate school, located at the Fairview Baptist Church campus, now offers master's degrees in Christian ministry and business administration. Students of the T. Walter Brashier Graduate School attend classes every other Friday and Saturday in a 10-week term. This means that graduate students have the week and every other weekend free to work and be with their families. Some graduate students are local job holders returning to school to enhance their career. Other graduate students are recent graduates of the North Greenville undergraduate program simply continuing in their education. One recent NGU graduate attending the T. Walter Brashier Graduate School is Teresita Mariani.
Mariani came to North Greenville for an undergraduate degree in international business in January 2003 and graduated in December 2006. She left San Pedro, Argentina to attend school in United States. She had previously wanted to attend and play tennis for Berry University in Miami. However, after meeting another NGU student while in Miami for a tennis tryout, she was offered the chance to come to North Greenville.
"I decided to come here because I wanted to play tennis in college and improve my English," said Mariani.
Even before officially receiving her diploma in December 2006, Mariani finished her undergraduate courses and immediately began working on her master's in business administration in June 2006. Mariani is currently taking two graduate courses, Financial Management with Dr. Pete McDanel and Research Methods with Dr. Jon Boulet. She will finish her graduate course work in October and officially walk for her MBA in December.
Mariani was inspired to work towards a graduate degree by her family.
"I have four siblings. I am the youngest. We are all very close to each other. Three of my siblings have graduate degrees, so I was encouraged to enter this program by them," said Mariani.
Mariani has a few differences that set her apart from most of the other graduate students. First, because she is an international student, she can't work while she studies due to student visa requirements. Besides receiving financial aid from work study, Mariani also plays tennis for North Greenville.
"My experience playing tennis while doing grad school is great because it keeps me in touch with the people at the main campus. Besides, playing tennis during grad school helped me to get my MBA since I wouldn't have been able to go to grad school without the financial help I get," said Mariani.
The average day for a North Greenville graduate student can vary between the normal week and the weekends of class. During the weekdays, Mariani, who lives with a family in Greer, arrives at work study 9 a.m. and gets off work at noon. She then comes to the main campus for tennis practice from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Mariani then spends the rest of the afternoon and night studying for graduate school. On weekends when she has class, Mariani attends classes from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
After she graduates, Mariani hopes to find a job in the U.S. and apply for a work visa. Even though she is kept busy by course work and tennis, she doesn't seem to mind.
"I like to learn about business in a Christian perspective. I think it is a great opportunity to grow academically and spiritually, which will prepare me for the business world," said Mariani.
Be the first to comment on this story