Why I Studied Business at Bellevue University: 4 Grads Reveal Their Reasons

All business students are looking for a program that will offer them the in-demand, versatile skill set industry professionals are known for. But beyond the basics of the curriculum, what should you be looking for in a great business school?

There are several features that signify a high-quality business program, but ultimately your reasons for choosing a school will be subjective to your own priorities and circumstances. That's why we gathered feedback from a handful of graduates to learn why they studied business at Bellevue University. See if any of their reasons resonate with you.

4 Reasons business graduates chose Bellevue University

Whether you're looking for a business program with high faculty esteem and proper accreditation, a range of student support resources, financial assistance, or all the above, you'll need to identify the most important criteria in your search for a school.

The following four alumni all chose the Bellevue University College of Business for different reasons. But they have at least one thing in common: their professional paths have been enhanced as a result of earning a business degree.

1. The network of student support

Shortly after graduating from high school, Itzel Lopez was a young newlywed with her first child on the way. Her family moved to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 12, and while she had dreams of one day earning her degree, she didn't always see college as a realistic opportunity for her.

But during one of Bellevue University's outreach visits to her high school, Lopez connected with Gina Ponce, Bellevue University's Director of Latino Community Outreach. When Ponce followed up with a phone call weeks later, Lopez's perspective on her educational future began to shift. "If Gina hadn't reached out, I don't know that I would have gone to college," she admits.

After qualifying for a scholarship from Bellevue University, Lopez was able to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. "My family comes from an entrepreneurial background. I thought that by getting my degree, I could start my own business or assist my family," she notes.

Lopez earned her bachelor's degree and has since been able to help her family business, become a leader in her community, and pave the way for career prospects she formerly didn't think were possible. Today, she's the Vice President of Advancement and Community Relations at AIM Institute in Omaha.

She's grateful for her time at Bellevue University. "Being born and raised in Mexico, I liked the smaller campus and smaller classes. I felt like there was a lot more support. Teachers know your name and you feel like you belong," Lopez says. "My professional journey would not have been the way that it's been without my degree. I'm so grateful that Bellevue University invests in people like me and gives equal access to education."

2. The high-quality, accredited programs

After earning an undergraduate degree in psychology, no one was more surprised than Holly Althof when she found herself working in the insurance field. "I fell into the finance and insurance world after I got my bachelor's, and that's where I've been for ten years," she notes.

Eventually, however, she felt it was time for a change. "I knew that getting a master's would open doors in various fields and provide me with tools valuable in every aspect of my life," Althof explains. As she considered her options, she discovered that Bellevue University was one of a group of institutions that partnered with her employer to offer tuition assistance.

"I chose Bellevue University for several reasons," Althof says. "After about six months of researching the colleges where employee tuition reimbursement was available, I decided Bellevue University had the best online graduate program offerings for a college with Higher Learning Commission accreditation. HLC accreditation was very important to me."

She ultimately chose to pursue a Master of Arts in Business and Professional Communication at Bellevue University, a decision that has already impacted her career positively. "It changed where I want my career to go," Althof concludes. "I learned a lot about myself and the job role that would give me more fulfillment. I hope to transition out of a sales role and into one that focuses on adult education or organizational communication."

3. The resources offered to military and veteran students

Air Force veteran Leticia Galdamez always dreamed of owning her own business, but her career path wasn't originally pointed in that direction. She began her higher education journey with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management while she was still serving in the U.S. Air Force.

"I was looking for a school that would be helpful and accommodating to military members," Galdamez says. "I had different experiences with other institutions, and I found that Bellevue University took the time to truly understand military life. The Military and Veteran Services Center was an amazing resource."

After working for some time in healthcare administration, Galdamez decided to act on her entrepreneurial nature and pursue a graduate degree that could help her grow her business. She found exactly what she was looking for in Bellevue University's Master of Science in Management program. "I had a three- and one-year-old at home," she recounts. "The online program allowed me the flexibility to take care of my two kids while still continuing my education."

Galdamez has since accomplished her goal of running a small business. "I was able to take what I learned and use it toward the fundamentals of my business," she says.

4. The support for adult learners

When military veteran Tony Ellsworth transitioned out of his career in the armed forces, he initially found his higher education experience to be frustrating. Having to balance school with his professional endeavors felt challenging with little support. "I couldn't afford to quit work, and no one around me had experience like I had," he says.

But once Ellsworth discovered Bellevue University, all of that changed. He first earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing through an accelerated program that allowed him to transfer in the credits he'd previously earned. This was his first experience with Bellevue University, and it was an overwhelmingly positive one. "My first instructor was a business owner. It was fantastic," he reminisces.

Ellsworth found that Bellevue University's business programs offered him the flexibility he needed to balance his studies with the everyday demands of his life. "Bellevue University is not only military friendly; they're family friendly and workplace friendly," he says.

He went on to earn both a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Project Management from the school. "I continued to choose Bellevue University because I was happy with my bachelor's degree experience," Ellsworth explains. He's now using what he learned in his business degree programs to thrive as a business owner.

Find what you need in a business program

The mission of the College of Business at Bellevue University is to develop high-performing, lifelong learners who are prepared to innovate and lead in a competitive international business environment. From associate degrees all the way to doctoral programs, the Bellevue University business programs provide graduates with critical, market-oriented knowledge and skills with a level of student support that's difficult to find elsewhere.

As these four graduates demonstrated in their stories, there are numerous reasons to study business at Bellevue University. See if the College of Business has the programs you're looking for by reviewing Bellevue University's business degree offerings.