2020 Best & Brightest Online MBAs: Kristy Hine, Penn State

Kristy Hine

Penn State University, Smeal College of Business

Data-driven professional, always up for a challenge and seeking to make a difference.”

Age: 41

Hometown: Lewistown, Pennsylvania

Fun fact about yourself: Traveling and seeing the world is a goal. Now that my degree is wrapping up, there will be one less barrier. Fingers crossed that COVID-19 relents soon too!

Undergraduate School and Degree: Pennsylvania College of Technology, BS in Accounting

Certified Public Accountant designation

Where are you currently working? Geisinger, AVP Finance/CFO of Geisinger Lewistown Hospital

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Although I am proud of efforts that have improved my organization and saved money, what I am most proud of is the opportunity to mentor others in their professional careers. I hope to be able to do this for many more years and keep paying forward the incredible mentorship and coaching that I have received over the years.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? The school’s reputation and online flexibility provided exactly what I was looking for.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? The connection to classmates going through the program with me. I honestly didn’t expect this when I was beginning an online program. It has been fun starting with the residency experience and then seeing familiar faces in classes and discussions from semester-to-semester.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? There are so many amazing people in the program from across the world who have such a wealth of knowledge and differing perspectives. You couldn’t ask for better company to learn from and with!

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? With some years of experience behind me, I was much more prepared to truly understand the concepts being taught and was able to connect them to my professional career and apply them in real-time day to day work.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Plan to spend time on the program every day and work ahead when you can so that when something comes up (it always will!), you don’t fall behind.

What would you change about an online MBA Program? I would put my whole family’s name on the degree! I would love to officially recognize the many sacrifices that my three teenagers, busy husband, and superhero mother have made to support my dream.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? It has given me broader confidence to engage and collaborate with colleagues in roles, projects, and discussions outside of my finance comfort zone.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? Lifetime learning. To keep taking on new challenges and roles which grow me both personally and professionally.

Don’t Miss: The Entire Honor Roll of the Best & Brightest Online MBA Grads of 2020

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