Melissa St. Peter

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

“Accomplished leader who builds trust, drives innovation, and empowers teams to achieve shared outcomes.”

Hometown: Windham, Maine

Fun fact about yourself: I rowed competitively in college, both as an undergraduate and graduate student.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

University of Maine, Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics

University of Maine, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Old Dominion University, Master of Science in Engineering with a Concentration in Modeling and Simulation

Where are you currently working? Senior Manager at The MITRE Corporation

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The relationships I have developed with customers, operators, and staff stand out as my greatest professional achievement. They are built on trust, and that trust has been transformative. It has enabled risk-taking that would otherwise not have been possible, aligned teams around shared outcomes, that allowed me to invest meaningfully in the careers of the people I lead. When staff believe in their leader, they understand the purpose behind their work and that sense of meaning translates directly into greater fulfillment.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I selected WPI’s MBA program for its flexibility; unlike most programs that require on-site attendance, WPI’s fully asynchronous format accommodates the demands of both my professional responsibilities and family commitments.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? What I valued most was the flexibility to consume course content on my own time, combined with the opportunity to build relationships with fellow students through collaborative, team-based work.

How did your online MBA experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? As an undergraduate, in-person engagement with professors was central to my learning, so I had reservations about transitioning to an online format. WPI quickly put those concerns to rest. Instructors deliver weekly lectures that mirror a traditional classroom experience and are accessible to students whenever questions arise.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? The single most important factor in succeeding in an online MBA program is self-accountability. I would strongly advise applicants to establish a consistent schedule for their coursework from day one and treat it with the same commitment they would any professional obligation.

How has your online MBA education helped you in your current job? My MBA education has equipped me with a more strategic mindset, stronger frameworks for driving innovation, the analytical tools to extract meaning from large volumes of data, and strategies for building and leading high-performing teams. Beyond the technical skills, it has also provided clarity on my leadership identity and how I can most effectively serve the people and organizations I lead.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? I have not received a formal promotion, but the impact of the program is evident in my career trajectory. My responsibilities have expanded considerably, and I have been recognized with an offer for a new role, specifically because of my ability to effectively manage high-stakes, challenging situations.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? The demands of both my career and personal life made a full-time residential or executive MBA program impractical. Pursuing an online MBA was a deliberate decision that allowed me to invest in my professional development while remaining fully present and committed in my current role and at home.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? During my Master’s capstone project, I leveraged AI to conduct market research and analyze large volumes of data in support of a business plan for WPI’s Autonomous Off-Road Vehicle Lab. AI’s ability to identify potential customers and collect metrics dramatically reduced the hours that would have been required to do so manually. The experience reinforced that we are still at a stage where human oversight is essential. In my finance coursework, AI proved valuable for building conceptual understanding, but fell short when it came to executing complex calculations. AI can be a powerful tool but it is not a replacement for critical thinking and verification.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 10-15 hours; varies by course

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term professional goal is to drive organizational effectiveness by addressing one of the most persistent challenges I have observed throughout my career; the disconnect between executive leadership and staff that execute the day-to-day. Throughout my career, I have developed a passion for coaching and developing staff to reach their full potential and I envision channeling that passion into building my own coaching company.

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