Ben Ferrell MCSD ’10

Occupation: Austin Community College, executive vice president for Finance and Administration
Hometown: Tyler, Texas
Degree: Master of Arts in College Student Development
Involvement: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, member
Goal: Achieve PhD in Higher Education Administration — reach for college presidency

My Path:
Ferrell wanted to experience learning in a flexible, more personal liberal arts setting. “The St. Edward’s master’s program was perfect and made it very easy for me to participate in the classes I needed while working full time. I enjoyed the opportunity to interact one-on-one with my professors.”

As a certified public accountant, Ferrell had always been on the financial side of the academic world. St. Edward’s showed him the “human side” of college life. “My courses, such as the counseling classes, allowed me to understand the psychology of students at all ages and how college affects them. This is invaluable information for me as I move ahead in my career.”

Zack Steele DMBA ’08

Occupation: Springbox, director of Finance, Operations and Project Management
Hometown: Graham, Texas
Degree: MBA in Digital Media Management
Involvement: Internship at Springbox turning into a job offer upon graduation
Goal: To work hard, reap the benefits and enjoy life with family and friends

My Path:
Steele had always been intrigued by marketing and the digital world, and he wasn't satisfied with his career in medical billing. Enter the MBA in Digital Media Management at St. Edward's. "I was excited by the new digital media program. The upheaval in the media industry caused by the internet intrigued me. Plus, Austin had opportunities for fun, exciting jobs in this industry, so I decided to take the plunge into a full-time MBA program."

Steele landed an internship with Springbox, an interactive marketing firm in Austin. His well-rounded education impressed the company so much they offered to keep him on full-time after graduation. "The curriculum focused on the changing landscape of the digital creative industry — movies, gaming, music and marketing. It gave a broad perspective that helped me transition into this field. My professors introduced me to a lot of interesting people who are movers and shakers in the Austin digital creative space, and that opened up doors for me."

Susanne Gross MBA ’10

Occupation: Innography, Marketing Design Manager
Hometown: Key Biscayne, Florida
Degree: Master in Business Administration with Global Entrepreneurship concentration
Activities: Volunteer for the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas
Goal: Find meaning, be creative and make a positive impact in both my personal and professional life

My Path:
In 2006, Gross sensed it was time to move her career forward. She had a few business ideas but didn’t know how to go about making them a reality. “I realized the best way I could achieve my personal and professional goals was to get my MBA. St. Edward’s has a solid and challenging curriculum in a forward-thinking academic environment. This setting gave me the business knowledge required for success while valuing and supporting my creativity at the same time. I believe this combination is vital for the new world of global business where opportunity is limitless.”

Gross appreciates that she always felt welcomed at St. Edward’s. “I never felt pigeon-holed or restrained. I was deeply struck by how much the faculty and staff wanted people like me: full-time employees juggling work and life who also wanted to further their education and open more doors for themselves. Even a year after graduation, my initial thoughts and feelings still ring true.”

St. Edward’s was a catalyst for Gross to think big. “I now believe that anything is possible. St. Edward’s gave me a vision and the ability to act on that vision.”

Daniel Guerrero MSOLE ’09

Occupation: City of San Marcos, Mayor
Hometown: San Marcos, Texas
Degree: Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Ethics
Activities: Serves as the Executive Director for the San Marcos Education Foundation, where he directs community leaders in fundraising and awareness for teachers and students of the San Marcos school district.
Goal: Pursue a PhD in Educational Leadership

My Path:
During the second year of his graduate program at St. Edward’s, Guerrero traveled with an MBA cohort to Prague. “The experience along with our regular discussions of how global markets and leadership impact our local communities expanded my understanding of how our ideas can change society at different levels.”

Guerrero took an intangible, but priceless, lesson from his experience on the hilltop. “Faith is a belief in things not seen. At St. Edward’s, I was finally able to see the leadership potential that others saw in me. The support from my professors and cohort helped me to accept the leadership challenges that God had blessed me with and prepared me to endure as a community leader.’”

Sherri Woodworth MAC ’05

Occupation: Austin Wellness, PLLC; Licensed Professional Counselor
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Degrees: Master of Arts in Counseling
Involvement: Student Society for Master of Arts in Counseling, member; currently facilitates workshops on topics such as parenting through divorce and conquering a fear of flying
Goal: Empower clients to heal and to overcome the challenges in their lives

My Path:
After 18 years in the airline industry, which required her to travel four to five days per week, Woodworth decided to change tracks. Her heart led her to a career helping others, and she enrolled in the Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program at St. Edward’s. “I chose St. Edward’s for the ease of applying, the friendliness of the staff and faculty, and the beauty of the campus. I was initially concerned about working full-time and attending classes, but I was pleasantly surprised that I could take evening classes and complete the MAC program in a little more than two years.”

Woodworth graduated with confidence, practical experience and a solid network of professional connections. She joined a private practice group with several of her MAC classmates and continues to benefit from the networking which began in the classroom at St. Edward’s. “The majority of my professors at St. Edward’s are practicing clinicians in addition to being highly skilled educators. I truly benefited from their real-time examples in class. I believe that my St. Edward’s experience, along with a supportive internship, prepared me for the licensure board exams and for the successful private practice I enjoy in Austin today.”

Isaac Chapa MSCIS ’08

Occupation: CSID, Vice President of Information Systems and Operations
Hometown: Premont, Texas
Degrees: Master of Science in Computer Information Systems
Activities: Board member for Ascend Center for Learning, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults improve their lives through education
Goal: Retire or at least have the option to retire by age 35

My Path:
Chapa’s interactions with his fellow students expanded his personal worldview. “All of my courses at St. Edward’s had a great mix of talented students who worked in various businesses, both locally and with an international presence. Sharing the classroom with other students with such diverse work experience allowed me to share and discuss various perspectives that I otherwise would not have experienced on my own.”

St. Edward’s provided an academically rich environment that was relevant to Chapa’s daily work life. “I was able to discuss and learn business and technological methodologies that were applicable on a day to day basis.”

Steven A. Solano MSCIS ’10

Occupation: Solarwinds, Regional Sales Manager for Latin America
Hometown: Leander, Texas
Degrees: Master of Science in Computer Information Systems
Activities: St. Edward’s University Alumni Mentor program
Goal: Perform ethical leadership to achieve personal and business goals, enhancing the possibilities for my family in this interconnected world

My Path:
Solano uses the skills he learned at St. Edward’s to foster positive relationships in the workforce. “I make decision every day that have an impact on key stakeholders throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, and I stay grounded by applying principles I learned in the MSCIS program. My St. Edward’s experience brought me a sense of confidence as I collaborate and work with a diverse group of customers, team members and business partners that span multiple cultures and three languages.”

Solano gained clarity on what he wanted out of life while at St. Edward’s. “I discovered what my goals for myself were at St. Edward’s, and I now work hard toward them. I understand my strengths and talents and develop practical ways to use them as a positive force in my community.”

Jac’Queline (Jcki) Daniel MBA ’09, MACT ’12

Occupation: City of Dallas, Assistant City Auditor
Hometown: Waco, Texas
Degrees: Master in Business Administration ’09, Master of Accounting ’12
Goal: To own a consulting firm that specializes in forensic auditing and fraud investigations.

My Path:
Daniel was impressed with the personal attention she received at St. Edward’s from the beginning. “I’m more than just a number or a face in the crowd at St. Edward’s. Each of my professors knows me by name. My academic advisor was interested in me and my future success before I even enrolled.”

Obtaining a global perspective was one of the biggest benefits Daniel received from St. Edward’s. “My Global Entrepreneurship concentration [within my MBA] afforded me the opportunity to travel to Germany twice, the Czech Republic, and Costa Rica as a student consultant. By traveling internationally, I learned to appreciate and accept multiple cultures and traditions that I probably never would have been exposed to otherwise.”