ECU College of Business
Last year, Craig decided it was time to earn her MBA part-time through the College of Business’ online program. “I had always thought I’d like to get an MBA someday, and ECU’s distance education program was exactly what I was looking for,” she explained. “It’s a ‘real’ program from an accredited institution that has a great reputation—and it’s affordable and flexible.” Craig believes it’s a good idea to have some real-world experience before pursuing a graduate degree. “Time and experience give you more context, allowing you to better apply concepts and principles,” she said. “Taking classes part-time while working full-time is certainly a balancing act, but it is doable. It’s OK to take time to get your degree. Your unique experiences, mixed in with book learning, will all work for some purpose that may not yet be evident.” Craig says she’s always enjoyed business and accounting, because it’s straightforward. “From the date of my first lemonade stand, I knew business was for me,” she said. “And I liked accounting because two plus two is always four—and it beats trying to figure out ‘what a poet really meant.’ And working for a not-for-profit health system gives me a chance to help move our local community toward affordable health care—care provided in the right setting at the right time.” Craig also serves her community in numerous ways. She is currently a Kiwanis Club advisor for Goldsboro High School’s Key Club, helping teach students about leadership and the value of community service—which she hopes will bring many students back to serve as community leaders in Wayne County. Craig says that community service has great meaning to her family, especially since one son-in-law serves in the US Air Force while another serves in the US Marine Corps. “We, in Goldsboro, are very aware of the heroes who protect our country and place themselves in harm’s way to defend our freedom,” she said. “Here in eastern NC, we can help solve the challenges facing our area, our country, and the world through developing critical thinking skills and reaching out to connect with others.” Molly Dee Maxson Hometown: Beatrice, Nebraska Major: MBA GPA: 3.94 MBA student Molly Maxson enjoys a wide breadth of talents and experiences. Her list of hobbies includes working on vehicles, shooting, leather crafting, fixing things around her house and farm, as well as tending to her yard, garden, and many animals. Plus, she has worked in numerous
industries over the years, including pharmaceutical research, auto and boat manufacturing, accounting, finance, transportation, computers, real estate, and natural gas pipeline. “When people ask me what I cannot do, I say fly an airplane,” Maxson said. “Actually, I plan to learn how to do that one day when I can afford it.” She holds several degrees, which add to her knowledge base—including a BS in chemistry from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a BS in chemical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. Maxson is also a member of Golden Key International and Sigma Iota Epsilon, the national honorary and professional management fraternity. She has been a lifetime 4-H member and leader, now serving on a state advisory board, and she continues to volunteer every year. She also runs a small equine business, and she works part-time as a security guard at Cypress Glen Retirement Community. Most recently, Maxson was selected by US Sen. Richard Burr to complete a sixmonth fellowship focused on economic development through his Wilmington office. The second student to serve as Burr’s fellow, Maxson worked with local leaders to explore economic development needs and federal assistance possibilities. She also conducted research, analyzing economic trends in eastern North Carolina, and she helped to develop coalitions across the state. “During my fellowship, I traveled extensively through the 50 eastern North Carolina counties, learning about the unique economic situation each was facing,” Maxson said. “I then brought them together in similar groups to help determine how the senator was most able to help them, having the greatest impact on the most people. I also planned or assisted in planning a Federal Contracts Fair, a Veteran’s Fair, and a Defense Trade Show. Based on the compliments I received, I think I’ve had a positive impact on the future of North Carolina.” Maxson said she believes all of her experiences have helped her to maximize the MBA experience. “My greatest advice is to gain some work experience before pursuing a master’s degree,” Maxson said. “Material presented at the graduate level becomes so much more relevant and real when you can mentally apply it to the various places that you’ve worked.” She also said the College of Business enjoys talented professors in the MBA program—and she specifically credits Dr. Samuel Tibbs (FINA), Dr. Richard Gooner (MSCM), Dr. David West (MSCM), and Dr. Edwin Doty (ACCT) for helping foster her potential. “With the knowledge and experience that some of our professors have, I could just listen to them for hours on end,” she said. “It’s invaluable to hear the professors talk about their work experience, because it may be the only exposure you have to a certain industry, helping you to decide whether to include or exclude that industry from your eventual career pursuits.” Maxson said her ultimate goals are to work with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) and earn her PhD in finance. “I’m passionate about research and learning,” she said. “I doubt I’ll ever stop.”
31