By Laura Hipshire
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

There’s strength in numbers, an adage that holds true for six staff members at Fox Run who recently took a walk together in order to receive their M.B.A.s from Baker College.

It was a big day indeed for Judi Donovan, Julie Ianni, Barbara Jablonski, Andrea Peragine, Kathie Shaffer, and Katy Woods. All six “wise women” took advantage of Fox Run’s tuition reimbursement plan in order to obtain their degrees.

“It was a great experience,” says Andrea Peragine, senior community services manager at Fox Run. “Our families came, and it was nice to have their support.”

Fox Run doubled as ‘college’ once a week
The degrees took three years to complete—and all worked full-time throughout the whole process. To make things convenient, classes were held on Thursday evenings at Fox Run as a part of Baker College’s Corporate Services program.

Peragine says having the M.B.A. will only enhance her current position; she hopes to become a resident life director in the future.

“My M.B.A. will most definitely help in obtaining that goal,” Peragine says. “I have the experience of working with the residents, but lacked the business side and was able to obtain that through my M.B.A. program.”

She continues: “The tuition reimbursement offered by Erickson made obtaining my M.B.A. much easier and much faster than I would have thought.”

‘A sense of accomplishment’
Peragine’s colleague, Julie Ianni, agrees.

Ianni, a sales associate at Fox Run, says she “felt a great sense of  accomplishment” and was pleased she took the time to complete the program.

“I feel that with the completion of the coursework and studies, my problem- solving abilities have been enhanced, and I am more apt to take a leadership role in the sales office now,” Ianni says.

Kathie Shaffer, public relations manager at the community, says she really enjoyed the program.