Shevon Gregory ’20
Business was not Shevon Gregory’s first choice when he began school. He started out studying applied sciences for automotive technology. However, after working for a couple of years in the automotive field as an automotive technician, Gregory decided that he wanted to pursue business and finance. After graduating with his automotive degree, he began going to business school while working full-time. While he was in school, he landed an internship, which eventually led to a job as a financial analyst in the banking industry.
Gregory received his bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in accounting from SUNY Brockport. The MBA program at Fisher appealed to him because of the huge community that surrounds the School and the successes of its alumni. He was also drawn to the friendliness he felt at the School and the intellectual conversations that he had with other students in the program.
“The program has been a great experience for me; I feel as though the courses have expanded my thought process. The expansion has resulted in looking at the problems faced in the work field from multiple angles in order to overcome challenges,” said Gregory.
He feels that the professors are very knowledgeable on current workplace needs and are always willing to make sure students fully grasp the content. Gregory hopes to use the knowledge gained from the MBA program to progress in his career and help the Rochester community grow as a whole.
Valerie Kolossovsky '16
MBA Student
While considering graduate programs in the field of human resources, Valerie Kolossovsky decided to pursue an MBA at Fisher to prepare her for an executive-level position in business. “I chose an MBA because I would like to have visibility to all parts of an organization, not just HR.”
As a benefits administrator at ESL Federal Credit Union, Kolossovsky welcomes new hires into their roles, assists with benefits enrollment, manages the tuition reimbursement program, and supports other human resources projects.
Kolossovsky works daily with people, and she believes MBA courses like Better Thinking and Leadership Development have helped her to develop critical thinking and professional conversation skills for her role. She appreciates the flexibility of the online MBA program as well as the strong network. “Fisher has an incredible reputation in the community
and has been very helpful in my career development.”
The online MBA is a convenient option to fast-track career advancement in the business sector, and Kolossovsky believes this program is a crucial step in her development as an HR professional. “I made incredible connections with professors and students, and I am so happy I chose to continue my education through Fisher.”
Now, she tells everyone, “Go to Fisher, you won’t regret it.”
Michael Mitris '22
MBA Candidate
With a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Buffalo (UB) and soon an MBA from St. John Fisher University, Michael Mitris is well-equipped to pursue a career in finance and business.
Mitris currently works for Paychex in a sales role. He started at the company in a risk management role after graduating from UB. Paychex allowed him to take classes at Fisher while working at the same time.
Mitris believes the MBA will bolster his career advancement to management in the future. The MBA coursework is applicable to leadership in many roles. “The MBA has helped me greatly in my career and in my interests outside of work to enhance my coaching and supporting high school players to pursue their passion of football.”
During his time at UB, Mitris was on the football team, and he now volunteers as a varsity football coach at Webster Schroeder.
He encourages prospective students to choose Fisher because of the class size and interactions among students. “The culture fosters an excellent and collective learning environment.”
Maya Smith ’19
Wegmans Food Markets
When Maya Smith was researching local MBA programs, she found Fisher’s philosophy of building skills in collaboration and personal relationships resonated well with her.
“I really connected with this approach and looked at this program as more than just me receiving an MBA, but an opportunity to build my character and sharpen my skills as I strive for advancement in my career,” she recalled.
While in the program, Smith said the array of classes available meant she could take a deep dive into topics that sparked her interest. Through courses in lead innovation, social marketing, and creative and critical thinking, Smith was able to relate class material to her job.
“I was challenged to think of innovative ways to enhance the current state of my workplace, understand how the world is becoming more digital, and identify different bias as a way to more cohesively interact with others,” she explained.
A nine-year employee of Wegmans Food Markets, Smith currently serves as a merchandising intern and is on a path to work within the merchandising department.
“I see myself as a future leader in the company and have goals of one day serving in more senior roles where an MBA is required,” she said. “Once I get to this level, I will have great work experience under my belt along with an education received from the Fisher MBA program to help me succeed in my future career endeavors.”