Javier & Joanne: Dedicated Parents and Ambitious Professionals

Javier and Joanne balance the demands of parenting, full-time careers, and education with determination and hard work. With two daughters and full-time jobs at Liberty Mutual Insurance, they manage to thrive in both their personal and professional lives. They are both currently completing their MBA in Project Management at Saint Leo University, a journey they embarked on in January 2022.

Joanne holds a bachelor's degree in Risk Management and Insurance from Florida State University (2005), and Javier earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Louisville (2007). Their shared commitment to advancing their education has already opened new doors for them. Joanne, armed with her expanding credentials, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President at Liberty Mutual, where she now leads a new region and takes on greater responsibilities. Javier has also taken on more leadership roles, focusing on developing the company’s strategic priorities.

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Support from faculty (Dr. Andrew McLeod): “I enjoyed taking his intro class,” Joanne says. “He really worked with us as new Saint Leo students to help us get our feet wet and gave us a nice introduction as far as what we would be learning throughout the MBA program.”

Tips for juggling priorities: “The most important thing is to set a schedule for yourself and work ahead,” Joanne advises. “For instance, if I have a discussion post due on Thursday, I will try to get most of it done by Tuesday so I’m not waiting until the last minute. You should also start bigger projects as early as possible. If you have any free time, use it to your advantage.”

Students considering Saint Leo University: “The flexibility to fit this program into a busy lifestyle is key,” Javier explains. “You can also chat online with librarians practically any time of day.”

Javier and Joanne are excited to finish their master’s degrees and continue their journey toward greater personal and professional growth. They are living proof that with hard work and a commitment to learning, it’s possible to achieve both career advancement and personal success.