When Michelle Lemos enrolled in the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) online MBA program in the spring of 2020, she aimed for a May 2024 graduation. Little did she know her daughter, Leni, would join her at the ceremony—not just as a guest but as a fellow graduate from the full-time MBA program.
Michelle, who worked in administrative support at New Hampshire Sea Grant on the UNH campus, desired career growth and gravitated towards data, marketing, and reporting. After discussing her career goals with her boss, she enrolled in UNH’s online MBA program, focusing on information systems and business analytics.
Leni, a 2023 Middlebury College graduate with a degree in economics and a minor in environmental studies, faced delays in starting a job with an energy consulting firm. Encouraged by her father, she explored UNH’s one-year MBA program and found it aligned with her goals. Leni is also pursuing a UNH carbon footprinting certificate online.
Returning to school was an adjustment for Michelle, who enjoyed learning on her terms. For Leni, the accelerated full-time MBA program was challenging but facilitated bonding through its cohort model. Despite not sharing classes, the pair embraced their shared experience, discussing coursework, swapping books, and carpooling to campus.
Their unique dynamic became a fun topic among family and friends. Michelle recalls driving Leni to her first day at UNH, a rare experience since Leni boarded at Phillips Exeter for high school. They supported each other throughout their academic journeys, with Michelle even saving Leni at the last minute by securing her graduation attire.
Michelle and Leni's journey highlights the value of shared experiences and how the UNH MBA program can accommodate unexpected paths that can lead to meaningful accomplishments. Read more about Leni and Michelle here.
