In the fall of 2001, Kathleen Ward was busy pursuing an MBA at Santa Clara University in San Jose, California, while also working at the global supplier management corporation Sanmina-SCI. Then the terrorist attacks of September 11 took place. A lieutenant commander in the Coast Guard Reserve's Instant Management Assistance team, Ward was recalled to active duty and dispatched to Ground Zero to aid emergency responders. For three weeks, she worked to establish safety guidelines, implement air monitoring, and set up decontamination stations for the responders.

After returning to San Jose, Ward withdrew from her MBA program — too far behind to catch up — but returned to her studies in the spring, confident that she could get back on track with her education. Then her employer offered her a very attractive opportunity. They wanted Ward to travel overseas for an assignment based in Ireland. Not wanting to decline, she once again withdrew from Santa Clara.

Ward was determined to pursue an MBA, so she began to look for online programs. After some serious research, she was ready to make her choice.

"The Penn State World Campus is the only program I applied to in my search. I had been looking for an appropriate distance learning program for about a year when I heard from a Penn State alum to check out the program. The caliber and credentials of the professors and the worldwide recognition of Penn State as a top MBA program made my selection of the Penn State iMBA program easy for me."

During her first year in the program, Ward was promoted to director of global commodities management in her company, a job that takes her to Europe and back regularly. While negotiating pricing and contracts with business associates from over thirty different countries, Ward is always in motion. The iMBA program complements this lifestyle perfectly — though she admits, it can get a little hectic.

"I don't sleep," Ward says with a laugh, adding "It's not for everybody. There has to be a certain amount of discipline in your life."

Indeed, balancing all of her time commitments can be a challenge. Ward regularly works eighteen-hour days, often spreading out books and course materials on planes and taking notes on paper napkins. But she wouldn't trade the exhilaration she feels for anything.

"The networking opportunities have been tremendous! And I get excellent support from fellow students on team projects. The iMBA program has been one of the most valuable things I've ever done."