Sandra Glaude       

Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business

“I love to watch the sunrise and sunset. I enjoy breathtaking intangible experiences.”

Hometown: Brooklyn N.Y.

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love to cook, and I have three Wilton certifications in cupcake and cake decorating with butter cream, gum paste, and fondant.

Undergraduate School and Major: SUNY College at Old Westbury, B.S. Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Coffee America, Financial Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The greatest accomplishment in my career, thus far is, my professional development with my previous employer. I started my career as a receptionist and worked my way up to the finance department. I have learned a lot about working with teams, effective communication, and emotional intelligence. My hard work, resilience, and ambition did not go unnoticed.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? My MBA classmates at Fisher are resourceful. Fisher MBA students are always willing to assist others.  They are also equally eager to make introductions to facilitate each student’s professional network.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The key factor that led me to choose Fisher’s MBA program is the small and personalized classroom sizes. This is an important factor for me because I wanted to join a program where I could readily access my professors. I believe smaller classroom sizes enhances the learning experience for both the instructors and the students.  Furthermore, a small class setting encourages intimate, meaningful and collaborative discussions between students and professors.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am looking forward to participating in Fisher’s Global Business Expeditions (GBE). GBE’s will give me the unique opportunity to gain full cultural and business immersion, internationally. Also, I look forward to serving as a resource and mentor to minority students through the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) – Columbus chapter.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I have always wanted to pursue an MBA; however, it was a matter of timing. I reached a point in my career where I wanted to challenge myself and explore life, outside of my comfort zone. Also, I wanted to take on more leadership roles in my career. I knew that in order for me to attain these goals I must acquire the necessary conceptual knowledge that can afford me the opportunity to make effective business decisions and solve complex financial issues. Attaining my MBA will provide me with a challenging yet well-rounded curriculum with gifted classmates from whom I can learn.  Moreover, earning an MBA would provide me with a global business perspective through the study abroad program which would afford me opportunities and access to a wealth of resources through a network of faculty members, as well as professors who are dedicated to each student’s professional success.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I attended quite a few MBA information sessions. Additionally, I spoke with admission counselors, MBA graduates, and current MBA students. I dedicated approximately two years to reflect on the goals that I set forth for myself and within which to be admitted to an MBA program. I also researched various ways to supplement the cost and expenses of an MBA education. I joined  Forté MBA Launch, a program geared towards female pre-MBA students. I then realized that the investment in my MBA education was incontestably worth it because of the overall experience, opportunities, and education I would gain would be immeasurable.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to a number of MBA programs, all of which had similar curriculum structures and opportunities.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I value an MBA program that is competitive yet collaborative and promotes diversity. I wanted to be in a city where I could gain access to leaders at top corporations. Pursuing an MBA is a momentous decision, and I wanted to make sure that I gathered as much information about each program before committing to a particular program. I scheduled coffee chats with current students to learn of their personal experience at the program. I also made it a priority to visit each campus. In addition, I reached out to the alumni network at each school to learn about their successes post MBA. Current student and alumni connections allowed me to gain first hand, personal knowledge into their responsiveness and willingness to assist prospective students.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? During my sophomore year in undergrad, I vividly remember my mother working overtime to pay for my brother, my sister and my college tuition. As a sophomore, my brother was a senior, and my sister was a first-year student. The sacrifices that my mother made for my siblings and I were awe-inspiring. I have never met anyone in my life who worked as hard as my mother did. She invested everything she had in her children, and I knew I had to work hard and achieve success to make my mother proud. She always told us that we were her investments. My work ethics, values, self-motivation and passion for succeeding in my endeavors come directly from my mother.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Pursuing an MBA has afforded me with numerous opportunities. I have not yet committed to a particular industry; however, I plan to accept a role that enables me to apply my bias for numbers and strategic thinking.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years I see myself working on a diverse leadership team. I would love to have a seat at the table to discuss building new financial strategies and creating innovative ways to improve business processes. Being successful also means that I must give back. I am committed to aiding underrepresented scholars in achieving their dreams.

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.