Judy Roy is a member of Marist's online MBA Class of 2015. She lives in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area and is employed by Indiana Tech as the Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration.

Tell us about your work history before Marist, including years of experience, industry, companies, and positions. 
I have many years of experience. I spent five years at GE Motors right out of college, working in several finance and accounting positions, while completing their Financial Management Program. I then switched to Parkview Health and worked for fifteen years in healthcare finance in various positions. Nine years ago, I moved from not-for-profit healthcare to not-for-profit higher education and joined Indiana Tech as the VP for Finance & Administration.

What are your career goals? 
I am very happy in my current position, so have no plans to look for a new position. I’m pursuing my degree to open up possibilities for the future, which may include teaching at the college level.

Why did you choose to pursue your degree at Marist? 
Marist offers me an MBA program that works with my busy life. I very much enjoy the online learning experience. I can work this program around my activities. It allows me to keep doing the important things in my life . . . work, volunteer, and spending time with my friends and family - all while earning my degree. The faculty of Marist generally do a great job of structuring the class to give us time to get the work done but still expecting good, high-quality work.

Tell us about a project or course that was particularly meaningful to your professional development. 
My official concentration is Ethical Leadership. However, with my background in healthcare, I am filling in my electives with healthcare administration classes. The class I am in now . . .. MBA683 - Critical Issues in Healthcare . . . has been very enjoyable. It is taking me back to my health care days while bringing me up to speed with the changes that have occurred over the last nine years. Professor Zahradnik is an exemplary professor.

How has a degree from Marist and your course work enhanced your career?  
Getting an MBA is a personal goal. I always said that I’d go back to college when my children did. I now have two daughters through college and a son who is a junior in high school. It’s a good time in my life to finish my MBA. I think my son enjoys it when we are working on our homework together. There are many aspects of the coursework that heighten my thinking and help me see my “day job” through a new lens.

What advice would you give to a student considering pursuing their master’s degree at Marist? 
If you want a flexible program where the students challenge each other, this program is for you. The faculty take a genuine interest in students and work hard to make the online experience a good one.

If you took an online class or had online learning as part of a regular course, tell us about your experiences – any tips or suggestions to pass along to future students? 
I truly enjoy the online experience. I can work at my own pace. I never get bored because I can move faster through the parts I already know and slow down and take my time through the parts where I am learning new material. Online learning engages me fully.