"My Webster Degree is Unique"

"It was essential to me to have ongoing credibility in the health care field. Health care is a very degree oriented arena. It is imperative to obtain a Master's degree in order to have a positive and long term tenure opportunity for upward mobility. In this time of organizational restructuring, my Master's degrees also afforded more stability for my family. While a degree may just be a piece of paper, the people in the real business game have the Master's degree. I obtained a practical skill set that I didn't have before. I can plan statistically known results and financial analysis on a daily basis with the knowledge I acquired at Webster University. I also earned my M.B.A. for the additional knowledge of contract negotiating and other business financial considerations. My degrees provide a hedge in our changing environment and are valuable in health care as well as other fields."
Gordon Docking, M.A., M.B.A.
Chief Executive Officer
St. Mary's Hospital of Blue Springs

"While experience long has been lauded as the best teacher, the instructors at Webster University bring to students the best of both worlds, experience and knowledge. While studying at Webster I obtained first-hand information about creating ad campaigns for marketing and presenting marketing plans for major corporations. From my accounting instructor, who also worked for the IRS, I learned that although I could arrive at the correct answers in my course work, my efforts wee considered "creative accounting" and would be considered nothing more that illegal. Discussions of real life work experiences with classroom peers, most of whom were also working professionals, added to the depth and breadth of ideas discussed in the classroom. While attending Webster, I was treated with respect, valued for the knowledge that I personally brought to the classroom and allowed the flexibility my life and career demanded. The degrees I earned at Webster added to my self-confidence and desire for increased responsibilities and rewards in my career. I have no doubt that my experiences at Webster helped me to grow both personally and professionally. Overall, It was a great learning experience."
Peggy Wrightsman-Parolin, M.A. Marketing, M.A. Communications Studies
Creative Director of Editorial Humor
Hallmark Cards, Inc.

"I was promoted to administrative management in my nursing career. Credibility became a problem due to lack of formal business expertise. I sought my master's degree at Webster, appreciated honing my skills and being exposed to others thinking. I am stifled in closed environments. The working professionals who teach the classes empowered my creativity, especially in 'thinking outside the box'. I have since developed my own company from ground zero to a multi-million dollar virtual corporation, built on the philosophy of buying the intelligence of people who have accomplished what they teach. I just sent one of my managers to Webster for the business expertise and credibility I acquired."
Kathy Dodd, M.A.
President and C.E.O.
Corridor Group, Inc.

"Completing the work leading to a graduate degree in marketing at Webster University allowed me to strengthen my contribution as a senior marketing executive in health care. Many of the concepts continued to be applicable as I moved into a senior government affairs position. I have further found that the principles gained at Webster have been useful in a wide range of personal and professional roles relating to public and community service."
Barry L. Seward, M.A.
Senior Vice-President
Health Midwest

 "I chose Webster University...partly because the nine week semesters offered more "flexibility", but mostly because the faculty were experienced professionals, not just academics. You see, my goal wasn't to become a great student, but to become a great professional. The educational experience was everything I had hoped it would be. I graduated having strengthened my analytical skills, written and verbal presentation skills. In 1988 I enrolled in school again-eventually graduating from UMKC's School of Pharmacy with a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science Administration. I've always enjoyed helping adults learn, so I joined Webster's adjunct faculty in Fall, 1999. I expected teaching to be fun, but what I didn't anticipate, were some of the other benefits from teaching. Hearing from students what their respective companies are up to keeps me connected to the Kansas City business and government communities. .. I enjoy the many things about Webster that brought me here-flexibility, high academic standards, and the strong ethics of staff and instructors."
Mindi McKenna, Ph.D.
E-Health Coach,Inc.
Principal Consultant

"When I decided to pursue a master's degree from Webster, I had no idea how much it would influence my life's direction. The courses I took necessitated contact with local businesses; the contact that I made led to an offer of employment even before I had finished my degree; and the employment eventually led to an opportunity to buy the company, which I did. Without Webster I would not have had the opportunities. With my education from Webster, I had the skills and confidence to pursue my dreams. I feel I use my education every day in some manner and I will always be grateful.
Larry Kleiboeker, M.B.A.
Owner
Kansas City Poster Display Company

Webster Traditions

Family Legacies

"Attaining my Webster M.A. degree in Counseling and Human Resources was the fulfillment of a lifelong goal that I had put on hold when I got married and started having a family. My time at Webster provided me an invaluable experience and knowledge that I have applied to both my private and professional life. The interaction with the students with their different areas of expertise along with the professional instructors opened my eyes to the various perspectives a group can have on the same topic. My experiences at Webster were so positive that I never miss an opportunity to recommend Webster to family, friends, and acquaintances. I am very proud of my family's Webster legacy. Not only has my son, Leon, graduated from Webster, but my daughter-in-law, Andreal, and her mother and father. Hopefully, my grandson will be attending Webster shortly to keep the legacy going."
John Gray, M.A.
Personnel Manager (Retired)
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation

"My graduate education has inspired me to grow as an individual. My degree has prepared me to take advantage of great career opportunities, and I take great pride being an example to my friends and family. My educational experience has expanded my future with endless possibilities for successful personal and professional endeavors."
Leon Marcano
Gray Management Consultant
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation

"My experiences at Webster University have truly assisted me in developing my career path. When I initially began at Webster, I was an account executive for United Parcel Service. My intentions were to continue my education in order to pursue management level positions as well as to begin classroom instructions. Upon completion of my Master's Degree, I landed an opportunity with the Kansas City Missouri School District as the Assistant Director for the Adult Basic Education Program. This opportunity allowed me to be an integral part in staff development and training, curriculum preparation as well as classroom instruction. During that time, I wrote several successful grants for the program and conducted training institutes for staff development. Since then, I made a move back to 'corporate America' to become the Area Manager for a global staffing company. Currently, I am starting a brand new placement division, Millennium Staffing, and now hold the title of Division Manager. We specialize in the placement of professional level administrative support and creative personnel. My next move is to begin my doctoral program in administration, where my long term aspirations will lead me into the university classroom to reflect my business experiences and hopefully provide leadership and development to others preparing their career paths as the Webster instructors so aptly aided me."
Andreal Gray, M.A.
Division Manager
Millennium Staffing

"As a teacher, my Master's Degree from Webster University has enabled me to become a better educator. It has enabled me to serve as an administrator. After I received my first Master's Degree, I continued to go to school and I got a second Master's Degree in Education Administration. With these advanced degrees, it made me a better teacher, a better administrator, and a more competent person and educator. It also made a great difference over the last twenty-five years or so; it gave me a greater financial advantage. I am now retired as an educator, but I have continued to work in my community. I now serve as an elective official as a Trustee and the Building Commissioner for the last six years in my home town."
Edward J. Haywood, M.A.
Retired (Andreal Gray's Father)

"I graduated from Webster University in 1988 with a Master's Degree in Human Resource Development. It was a wonderful experience. As I look back and reflect on what I have gained and think about the benefits to me and my family, I am truly grateful and thankful to the entire staff of Webster University, especially "Joanie", who made me feel like family. I expressed this many times to my family and I believe that is one of the reasons so many members of my family attended and graduated from Webster University. The benefits to me in my professional, as well as my personal life, have been numerous. For example, after I completed my degree, I was promoted to Regional Manager for the Traveler Medical and Rehabilitation Company. I was later promoted to Regional Director, managing a staff of 70 consultants, with responsibilities for sales and operations of a budget over $4 million dollars. I was Manager of the Year several times, as well a Regional Director of the Year twice. Some of my major accomplishments were obtaining the Wal-Mart, Fleming, and Yellow Freight accounts, as well as maintaining a 97% return to work rating for our clients in the state of Kansas. I retired in late 1993, or at least I thought I would retire, but TWA offered me a deal I could not refuse, to become a private consultant for their worker compensation and medical department. I enjoyed this very much and thought I would do this for the next ten years, until I received a call from J.C. Penney Catalog Logistic Center. Since the Center is only 5.5 minutes from my home and TWA, I made the move to J.C. Penney Logistic Center, as the Manager of the Medical Department. I just love it after 6.5 years. I am grateful for the experience of attending and graduating from Webster University. The benefit and value to me has been priceless."
Virginia E. Sewing
Manager of Medical Department
J.C. Penney Catalog Logistic Center

"One of the key things that my degree from Webster has taught me is to think critically, not only about business, but about all aspects of every situation. Webster taught me to be a team player due to their group class activities and projects. This has carried over into my personal and professional life, enabling me to get along with all types and groups of people no matter what background or profession. My classes at Webster taught me to look at all the attributes everyone brings to the table, which gives me a broader perspective. Webster has become a family legacy. My mother, myself, and my cousin have graduated from Webster and my brother is a current graduate student. We all have gained a true sense of accomplishment, beyond what the average person has. My Webster degree gave me a tool to level the playing field, gave me the tie breaker that allowed me to advance professionally and increased my personal and professional base of contacts. I recommend Webster to anyone wanting to advance."
Evelyn Sewing, M.A.
National DSL Pre-Launch Trial Manager
Sprint

"As you know, I am the fourth person from my family to attend Webster University. My mother (Virginia), my sister (Evelyn), and my cousin (Joy) have earned their graduate degrees from Webster University-Kansas City. I am currently pursuing the Master of Arts in Business Degree. Originally, I enrolled in the graduate program for the purpose of advancing my career at TAP Pharmaceuticals. I am pleased and amazed at the quality of education that I am receiving at Webster University. The wealth of knowledge will not only help advance my career, but the Total Webster Experience will stay with me forever. The instructors are from the 'Real World' business community and share their 'Real World' experience in every session. The students are all professionals and come from the top companies. There is a great mix of students and instructors who are from all over the world and work in the corporate and entrepreneurial professions. Overall, my Webster University experience has been wonderful and I look forward to completing my degree and using all of my education and experience to excel in my career and my life."
Henry W. Sewing II, M.A. Candidate
TAP Pharmaceuticals

"In today's world we often find families in the most unexpected places. As I was searching for a master's program, I was encouraged by a friend to check into Webster University, Kansas City. She assured me, "Elaine, you'll find another family at Webster." Fortunately, my friend was correct and I have been blessed. My Webster teachers have encouraged, nurtured, and inspired me. they have taught me through their lessons and their lives. I have witnessed their compassionate and respectful treatment of each other and their students. Always, I have felt their caring. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to learn from such quality individuals. I remain forever grateful for my Webster family."
Elaine M. Riley, MAT '99

"Bless Webster and all the students that enter in. Webster not only made me a well-rounded person, but increased my knowledge in the management field with a new focus and outlook on life."
Mary Jordan, MBA, '01
Accountant
DFAS