“I remember riding my bike through Olivet Nazarene University’s campus in Bourbonnais with my dad when I was young,” says Mia Luginbill ’22/’25 MBA. “I knew I wanted to go to Olivet, even when our family moved from Illinois to Idaho while I was in high school. When I decided to pursue my Master of Business Administration degree, Olivet was an easy choice for me.”
Mia earned her MBA degree with a focus on business administration and healthcare leadership from Olivet. Today, she serves as the Program & Policy Research Assistant for the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses in Boise, Idaho.
“Olivet’s MBA degree program worked well with my work schedule and my lifestyle,” Mia says. “I worked full time while I earned my degree. I appreciated the online platform and the flexibility of Olivet’s program. I especially enjoyed the interactions with the other students through discussion boards and group projects. Going through the process with them was a blessing and encouragement for me.”
Choosing the Best Path
Mia’s path to her MBA had some twists and turns along the way. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Olivet and was planning to become a physical therapist. But later — while working for a physical therapy practice — she discovered that wasn’t the right career for her.
“Life often takes us in unexpected directions,” she says, “but we end up where we’re supposed to be. I’m learning to trust God, trust the process and embrace uncertainty. There is always more to learn and do.”
Her current job with the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses combines her gifts, talents and education in new and exciting ways. “I work with a lot of healthcare professionals and boards,” she says. “I’m seeing every day how my knowledge of medical terminology and understanding of healthcare from a professional viewpoint are helping me succeed. Combined with my MBA, I have a really good foundation for what I’m currently doing and am prepared to continue working in the healthcare world in the future.”
Mia’s current position as the Program & Policy Research Assistant is a new position created by her employer. In this role, she has the opportunity to interact with all licensing boards in the State of Idaho. She works with executive officers of those boards, helping them to compile background information for preparing reports and projects and addressing current issues. And she also has the exciting opportunity of helping to shape what the position looks like now and for the future.
“Olivet’s MBA degree program helped me learn how to think through challenges and assignments from a business perspective,” Mia says. “My critical thinking skills influence my decision making and problem solving. I also learned how to manage my time well and prioritize my activities and responsibilities for success. I have a wider knowledge base regarding policy, finance and data analysis, which are all part of my job. Now, I do my work more thoughtfully.”
Mia adds: “My writing and public speaking skills have improved a lot since my undergrad days. Those skills are important for any job. Communicating clearly is so important for getting work done efficiently, both when collaborating with internal teams and when ensuring information is effectively conveyed to the public.”
Looking Back, Looking Forward
One of Mia’s favorite memories of earning her MBA degree was the honor of attending the graduation ceremony and meeting many of the other MBA students in person. Her sister, Ellie Luginbill ’25, received her undergraduate degree on the same day. Several of the Luginbills’ extended family have also attended or graduated from Olivet, including Mia’s and Ellie’s parents, Nancy (Greene) ’94 and Brock ‘91 Luginbill.
“During my MBA program at Olivet, I learned that I am capable of a lot and can accomplish a lot,” Mia says. “The more experience I gain, the more I realize how much there is to learn. I’ve come to enjoy the challenge of continuously growing, both personally and professionally.”
Learn more about ONU’s graduate degree programs at Olivet.edu/academics/graduate-programs. For more information or to enroll, email onlineadmissions@olivet.edu or call 877-465-4838.
