Couple earns MBA degrees as a team
Ricky and Victoria Branham were already juggling two careers - and two children - when they decided to pursue their MBA studies as a couple.
They figured they'd be studying the same materials and could work together through the online program curriculum.
“I had such a great experience completing my bachelor's degree at Malone,” said Ricky. “I loved how every professor incorporated godly principles throughout their classes. This is why I chose Malone for my master’s. I knew the teaching style would be very similar.”
The online format, they soon learned, had been the perfect format for them.
"Two weeks into the program, we found out we were pregnant with our daughter, Vera," said Victoria. "I prayed and trusted the Lord that he would see me through - and that He did."
She did an excellent job in the program, and a month before graduation was promoted from a supervisory position to the operations warehouse manager at Pepperidge Farms. And a little over a year later, she was promoted again to the manager of planning and distribution, where she is now in charge of all of the warehousing at Willard Pepperidge Farm, the largest system in the company.
Ricky, too, has taken on more leadership positions since earning his degree.
He’s the senior pastor of Ripley Chapel, a chaplain at Mercy Willard Hospital, and executive director of the Willard Area Chamber of Commerce. He credits the MBA program with giving him the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in these roles.
“The MBA at Malone is worth pursuing because all the information is relevant and able to be applied immediately,” said Branham.