Gannon University Athletics issued the following announcement on Feb. 10.
Megan Loibl is a student in Gannon's MBA program.
Six students share why they chose the MBA program at Gannon.
MEGAN LOIBL
Megan Loibl is a second-year student in Gannon’s MBA in Business Analytics program. Loibl holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida. She has used her master’s degree working in nine areas of student affairs at four colleges prior to enrolling in Gannon’s MBA program.
“Working at Gannon, I wanted to learn how to better track, analyze and present data to further university initiatives,” Loibl said of her decision to pursue Gannon’s MBA program. Loibl said she wants to develop well-rounded skills and knowledge to help her advance her career in higher education.
Loibl’s said her family and friends inspire her to be the best version of herself. She enjoys enjoys reading, running, watching sunsets, getting coffee or ice cream with loved ones, and traveling as much as possible.
Loibl said Presque Isle is her favorite spot in Erie. “I love to run along the path and then read on the beach, listing to the waves and watching the beautiful sunsets. It reminds me of my home in Florida, minus the saltwater,” she said.
SANTOSH BHUSAL
Santosh Bhusal came to Gannon from Lumbini, Nepal to earn his bachelor’s degree in accounting before pursuing the university’s MBA program. Bhusal worked for the Gannon Enterprise Application team prior to enrolling in the MBA program.
When asked why he chose to pursue an MBA, Bhusal said he wants to become an entrepreneur and believes that a degree in business analytics will position him for success in a wide range of activities. He wants to work as a business analyst after he graduates in May 2022.
In his free time, Bhusal likes to read and take photographs. In fact, he won the 2020 award for Best Cover Art Design for TOTEM Literary Arts Magazine during the 43rd Annual Gannon University Writing Awards.
His favorite spot in Erie? “I love going to Presque Isle Beach whenever it is nice out. I spend a lot of time watching the waves and reading from time to time,” he said.
RYAN THOMAS
Ryan Thomas is an Erie native and first-year online MBA program student. Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Gannon University. He became a supply chain manager prior to enrolling in the MBA program and continues in this role today.
Thomas has also served four years on active duty in the United States Navy as a logistics specialist.
Thomas is pursuing his MBA to enhance his supply chain career by acquiring the necessary skills – including procurement, purchasing and supply chain operations management – that will help him excel in his field.
Thomas said he also plans to become a business owner one day. An MBA, he said, will teach him the “ins and outs” of how to successfully manage a business.
Thomas said he will continue this work following his graduation in Fall 2022.
“The military spared a liking for logistics that I never knew I had before, and I have come to really enjoy the field over the years,” Thomas said. “Therefore, I want to carry that passion forward and utilize my MBA to become a successful supply chain professional.”
Thomas has four younger sisters and two younger brothers. Thomas said he’s begun a military trend in his household with one sibling joining the Army and another joining the Marines.
Thomas cited his parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle as his inspiration.
“I genuinely would not be where I am today without them, and I give all the thanks to God for blessing me with such a loving and supportive family,” he said.
In his free time, Thomas loves to watch movies and documentaries, cook meals, listen to music, hang out with friends. He also holds a deep passion for traveling and will be going to Salem, Mass. for Halloween this year and New York City in December.
JORGE MEIJA
Jorge Meija, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Gannon University. He worked as a business consulting intern at Fusionworks Inc. before enrolling in the MBA program at Gannon.
Meija said he chose to pursue an MBA because he believes that it is respected among his desired industry.
“Understanding the decision-making aspect of business while looking at it in an analytical way will drive me and my business to success,” Meija said. He currently works as a junior business consultant for a technology consulting company focused on ERP software in Puerto Rico. Meija said he believes there is potential for growth, as well as opportunity to help the company expand their services to other countries around the Americas.
Meija named the legendary professional baseball player, Roberto Clemente, as his inspiration.
“Roberto’s actions taught me (as a student-athlete) not just to work hard and earn a position in the field, but to have sympathy, generosity and kindness,” Meija said. “Roberto was a great baseball player, but before that was an even better human.
Meija said in his free time he likes to lift weights, golf and play baseball. His favorite spot in Erie? UPMC Park, he said, where he practices as part of Gannon’s baseball team and can feel like a kid again.
KRISTIN SHORR
Kristin Shorr is a second-year MBA student from Evansville, Ind. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Gannon University and worked as a data intern at Erie Insurance and a business analyst at the Erie Technology Incubator prior to enrolling in the MBA program.
“I wanted to prepare myself better for my desired career,” Shorr said of her decision to pursue an MBA. “I was also intrigued by the technology side of the business, and this MBA in Business Analytics is a great gateway into it.”
Shorr said she wants to pursue a career in the banking or insurance industry after graduating in May 2022. She wants the opportunity to better integrate technology in the finance field of these industries mentioned.
In her free time, Shorr enjoys working out and playing with her dog. She is often found in coffee shops around Erie, where she enjoys the social environment. A fun fact? Shorr has a twin sister who is currently in pharmacy school.
CHANDRA RAPARLA
Chandra Raparla is a first-year international MBA student. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering with an emphasis in electronics and communication from the University of Madras in Chennai, India.
Raparla worked as an SAP functional consultant with Infosys and with NTT DATA, Genpact and Wipro.
Chandra said he pursued an MBA at Gannon “to enhance my career growth and transformation, and to get into managerial roles and get advanced learning of any organization’s business practices.”
Raparla said he hopes to get back into the systems, applications and products industry, as it is one of the most-used ERP software on the market. This time, he said, he’d like to get into managerial activities and implement what he has learned in the MBA program.
“Ideally, I’d want to work as a transition manager or management analyst, where I can integrate both technical and functional aspects together,” he said.
Raparla is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Barack Obama. In his free time, he likes to read books and watch movies.
Learn more about Gannon’s accelerated MBA in Business Analytics and online MBA program options.
Original source can be found here.
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