Forest Harger

Lehigh University Flex MBA Program

“Outgoing. Honest. Engaged. Witty. Curious. Empathic. Irreverent. Studious. Open-minded. Confident. Flexible. Conscientious. Impatient. Southerner. Mom.”

Age: 43

Hometown: Greensboro, NC, but now reside in South Burlington, VT

Fun fact about yourself: I did a lot of musical theater growing up and love to sing.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Undergrad from New York University – Double Major in Politics and Religious Studies

Where are you currently working? Chief of Staff at Burton Snowboards

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I worked in the US Senate from 2008-2012. I helped to get my boss elected and had worked on the campaign because I knew her and wanted to see her win. But once I got into public service, I felt I had found my calling. We had an energetic, hard-working, and dedicated staff and I LOVED working for the people of my home state of North Carolina alongside others who cared as much as I did. I felt so proud of being able to help constituents learn about DC and the Senate and to be a part of an institution with so much history. Of all the places I have worked, I made some of my closest friendships while working in the Senate and I am proud of the amazing things we have all gone on to do.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? It was largely for tactical reasons. I only had one in-person option nearby to me and it was oriented around environmental sustainability, but I wanted a more conventional MBA curriculum. It was peak COVID, so everyone was learning online, which I felt normalized the stigma often associated with online courses. I needed a school that was on my employer’s approved program list, would waive the GRE/GMAT requirement, would allow me to be in person or online, and was in or near the Northeast. I applied to four programs. My husband has three cousins who attended Lehigh, so I was familiar with it through family ties, and I liked the feel of the program – it was the best of the four. It was my top choice from the jump.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? I was very nervous to start because I have two kids, and this felt like a big undertaking for my family. I was worried I would never have any downtime. But I quickly realized that lecture was “me time.” It was this thing I was doing for myself, and I looked forward to it every week.

What was the most surprising thing about an online learning environment? I am very social, so I need human engagement. I thought I would struggle to make connections with classmates and that the environment would feel hollow. For sure, IRL interactions can’t be beat, and I jumped at the chance to do an international immersion course in Singapore that Lehigh ran. Still, spending so much time with people online over 3+ years really does bond you.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? It took some getting used to. Online distance learning was not a thing when I was in college, so I had to get the hang of it. But being able to go back and re-watch a lecture in 2X speed can be a big asset.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? My work spans running a family office, board management, generational transition and planning, business performance, and strategy. I am a generalist and need to understand a little bit about a lot of different things across the enterprise, as well as how they all impact one another. Working on an MBA has helped me develop a knowledge base that allows me to do that successfully. I don’t need to be able to run our supply chain, for instance. But understanding how a supply chain works and how to mitigate risks or identify supplier partnerships (and what those mean for the business) deepens my ability to provide thoughtful advice and guidance in my role.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Yes! I changed employers about halfway through the program and took on a bigger scope of responsibility.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential program? My employer was willing to pay for the cost of my education, but that of course required working full-time, too. I’m also married with two kids and that limited my ability to go all-in on a full-time program.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 6-10, depends on the course.

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? To win the lottery! Just kidding. To keep learning. I love the job I am in and have no plans to go anywhere, but I do think earning my MBA has made me realize that continually learning in one’s job is so important no matter what stop you’re on in your career journey. Learning makes me a better and more valuable employee for sure, but it also helps to round out my thinking in a way that makes work more fulfilling for me, too.

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