Friday May 9, 2025
Media contact: Hallie Hart | Communications coordinator | 405-744-1050 | Hallie.hart@okstate.edu
When Lauren Reed received a brochure on the MBA program of the University of Oklahoma State, his mother asked to see him.
Curious about her daughter’s next steps, Monica Reed has traveled the pages. She enthusiastically underlined a description to a course, then another.
At that time, in the fall of 2024, the Spears School of Business recruited an MBA student.
Lauren, a Broken Arrow major in management, Oklahoma, didn’t need to convince. She was already planning to take the 4 + 1 trackThis places it on the right track to obtain its first cycle diploma at the OSU in December and add an MBA only a year later.
The new MBA candidate was his mother.
“I’m so pumped for her because I know she was something she wanted to do for years,” said Lauren.
Monica had not taken college lessons since he obtained his baccalaureate in 2002 at the University of Oklahoma. Over the past two decades, she has remained busy as a professional and mother of two, putting her dream aside a third cycle diploma.
Then Lauren persuaded her to bring back the jump to school.
“I am 46 years old, so the best time to start was yesterday,” said Monica. “Fortunately, I entered, and my first course was this semester.”
Monica and Lauren had not always imagined their academic career overlapping in the same university, but they are inspired by different ways through the master’s program in business administration classified nationally.
While Lauren attended in person courses as a full -time student in Stillwater, the hybrid program based in Tulsa is better suited to Monica, who works in their hometown as an OND Financial Solutions practice manager.
Although they did not take a course together, it could happen if Lauren enrolled in a Tulsa course. Lauren said that she would sit next to her mother in a single condition.
“Do not ask to look at my notes,” said Lauren.
They are in a professional spirit, but the mother and the girl are not too serious to joke about their unique experience.
Lauren throws her mother about her old school curriculum vitae, which was formatted in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet until Lauren helps update it. Monica says that Lauren is her “technological support” for the OSU canvas learning management system, although adaptation to online format is not too difficult because Monica spends hours on a computer at work.
Monica would probably not be a student in MBA without the encouragement of Lauren.
And Lauren would not be there without Monica.
Lauren grew up around business, looking at her mother getting up to leadership roles in a growing company over 23 years.
Monica, a graduate of the first generation, gave an example to her family on the value of education.
Lauren took it seriously. In Union High School, she signed up for a pilot program at the Tulsa Community College, a graduate not only with a secondary school diploma but also a associate diploma in May 2023.
“To see her continue excellence and have the passion for learning in her, I am very happy for that,” said Monica. “As mom, you want your children to do this, but you can’t force them. She has always pushed herself. ”
Although Lauren arrived at the OSU with a starting blow from her baccalaureate program, she did not want to precipitate her years in Stillwater. She had new friends and she realized that the MBA program would give her more time and resources to discover career options.
“I try to understand what I want to do,” said Lauren, who plans a career in council. “It’s the greatest thing, find connections and explore in different classes what I like.”
She didn’t know her mother would make the trip with her.
Initially, Monica has kept the good news for her. After having decided to apply in the fall, she rushed to respect the deadline of November 1 and received admission to the program.
She was waiting to hear her daughter.
When Lauren discovered that she was accepted in December, her mother overthrew the secret.
“We should have celebrated this before!” Lauren exclaimed.
Monica may not boast herself, but Lauren proudly tells friends and teachers that her mother is a student in MBA. Monica said she didn’t do it for a new job or a promotion.
The learner who describes himself for life has fun.
“I am a total nerd, and I have it,” said Monica. “I love it. I always read leadership books, management books, I always try to grow and learn something I can take and use. An MBA is more a formality to be official on this subject. ”
Monica’s first MBA lessons, leadership challenges with MBA director, Dr. Matt Bowler corresponds to these interests. Lauren took the management of marketing with Dr. Marlys Mason this spring, where students simulated businesses with competing products. This summer is Monica’s turn in marketing management.
Housed in the Watson Graduate School of ManagementThe three distinct MBA programs from the OSU meet the needs of students and professionals from around the world.
The MBA in person of the OSU, based in Stillwater, is US News & World ReportMBA full -time MBA program best classified in the state. Professional MBA mixes the online study program with Tulsa lessons in person, offering flexibility to students who, like Monica, have full -time jobs. The MBA fully online continues to gain prestige, located at n ° 11 at the national level in the US News & World reports.
“You do what works for you and what suits you best,” said Monica. “The program is so well designed to be able to welcome people from each promenade of life at any stage in which you are.”
Monica and Lauren do not run against each other. While Lauren plans to obtain her MBA in December 2026, Monica aims to have her diploma in higher education at 50 years, taking a course both to avoid overloading her schedule. She said that her younger husband and daughter provide home support, taking tasks or pizza delivery nights to give her free hours for homework.
Due to their family efforts, reeds can anticipate several diplomas in the coming years.
Lauren said that she often associated herself with her father to work on household projects when he was a child, signaling their wacky adventures to her mother. Now it’s Monica’s turn to share a memorable experience with Lauren.
“It’s a blessing, and it’s a really cool opportunity,” said Monica. “I am very grateful that we can do this together.”
To find out more about the award -winning MBA program of the OSU, visit the website.