Northern Kentucky University graduate Tellis Kennedy always wanted more from his career, and after returning to school, he made his dream a reality. His aspirations weren’t the only reason he decided to pursue a graduate degree. “My parents were a big driving factor in making me want to get my MBA,” Tellis said. “But now looking back, now that I have it, it honestly was one of the best decisions that I’ve made so far.”
Tellis began the online MBA program at Northern Kentucky University in 2021, with concentrations in finance and supply chain. At the time of enrollment, he worked in supply chain management at Procter & Gamble, a role he viewed as a steppingstone rather than a long-term fit. “The skills I learned helped me transition from supply chain to finance and accelerate my career,” he said.
The choice to attend Northern Kentucky University also had a lot to do with family. Tellis, who is a first-generation college graduate on his dad’s side and the first non-nursing graduate on his mom’s side, appreciates his family’s history at the university. “NKU runs through my family. My mom went there, my sister went there, and then I chose it for graduate school.”
Flexibility, strong values, and online options were also important factors in Tellis’s school choice. “NKU felt like a family-oriented environment where professors truly wanted me to succeed,” he said. The program, which is fully online and asynchronous, allowed him to continue working while earning his degree. “My MBA didn’t just help me at my job; it helped me grow my real estate business by sharpening my analytical and financial skills.” These skills have continued to have a major impact on his professional life.
Tellis’s initial goal was to learn the industry and build expertise in property investment, but his efforts quickly led to the launch of his own real estate business. “In real estate, a lot of it comes down to numbers. With the MBA program, we did a lot of that already,” Tellis said. The financial modeling, case studies, and Excel-based analysis he mastered during the MBA program have been instrumental in his efforts to evaluate properties, calculate renovation costs, and identify profitable investment opportunities. Tellis also leveraged the program’s emphasis on leadership an
d communication to thrive in client interactions, negotiations, and team coordination.
With an approach to business that is deeply rooted in ethics and community impact, Tellis prioritizes affordable housing. These efforts earned him the Baron Witherspoon Award at Procter & Gamble, recognizing his contributions to community development and activism. “When you treat people right and do right by people, in the long run, they’ll do right by you,” Tellis said.
Tellis credits much of his success to the support he received from faculty and classmates at Northern Kentucky University. “My advisor was incredible,” Tellis said. “She guided me through every step and made sure I had everything I needed.” He regularly reaches out to students he met in the program to network.
“My future is focused on growing at my job and expanding my real estate investments to transform homes for first-time buyers,” Tellis said. “I use my degree to make an impact in my community through affordable housing and fair rental practices.” His advice to prospective students is clear: “Begin with the end in mind, be intentional about your focus, and build strong connections with professors.”
Earn Your MBA Online
Northern Kentucky University’s online Master of Business Administration program is designed to give you the leadership skills necessary to succeed in the business field. This program provides valuable tools for career advancement with the freedom and flexibility to tailor an MBA to your individual needs. You will study topics such as artificial intelligence, healthcare administration, legal studies, global supply chain management, and more.
This program is fully online and built to be flexible, so you can fit work into your busy schedule. The experienced faculty will be there every step of the way to help you succeed and prepare for your future career.
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Your new career is just around the corner with Northern Kentucky University’s online Master of Business Administration program. Learn more and apply today!
