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From Transplant to Rooted

November 1, 2021 Erica Hulse
OMBA student Diana Robinson standing against sculpture outside Speed Art musueum

“It was important to me to have a school that was not only offering online options but also had a history of brick-and-mortar degrees. I found the perfect combination in my backyard with [the University of Louisville],” shared Diana Robinson (she/her), president of the spring 2021 Online MBA cohort and Associate Director of Business Intelligence for Humana. “I live here, I work here, and I want to see Louisville thrive. There are a plethora of options for Online MBAs, and not all MBAs are created equal. I wanted a program that had a history of excellence. UofL’s online program is relatively new in comparison, but the track record of UofL…is undeniable.”

A transplant from northern Indiana, she “came here in 2000 and fell in love with this area.” However, it was not just the city that led Robinson to establish roots in the community but her connection to a company at which she has been employed for over 20 years. “My career at Humana started as a temporary job until I finished my undergrad[uate degree] in Political Science. Once I graduated, I ended up staying with Humana for many reasons. It is very easy to get lost in a company of over 40,000 associates, but all the departments I have been a part of for the last 21 years have made it more like a family.” The personal connection between Robinson and some of her colleagues have made a profound impact on her life, with Robinson sharing that “two of my co-workers were even bridesmaids in my wedding.”

With her career evolving at Humana, Robinson recognized the need to elevate her knowledge and skills. An MBA earned through UofL would allow her to take her career to the next level. “One should never stop learning, whether formally in a university setting or informally by whatever means works for you. I had progressed far at Humana but knew that I needed to continue my education to perform at a higher level. Real-world experience is priceless and one of the best teachers you could have; however, I knew that I needed to combine my real-world experience and add in a more formal structure for learning. My leader has always encouraged me to get my MBA, and it was the right time in my life and career to take on that challenge.”

A Commitment to Community Partners

The College of Business at UofL holds longstanding ties to the community through companies such as Humana, with their employees represented across each Online MBA cohort. Dr. Zac Goldman, Program Director for the Online MBA program, shared his perspective on how this program best prepares those employees for roles as leaders of the future. “Humana is known for its dedication to innovation – the knowledge, skills, and experiences that [UofL] students acquire while earning their MBA online fosters entrepreneurial and creative mindsets that are needed to tackle complex and rapidly-evolving problems like those found in healthcare.”

Reflecting on her plans for the future and how her MBA will aid her in reaching those goals, Robinson shared that, “My MBA will help me understand the bigger picture of how Humana works. I am learning financial impacts, different ways of understanding all the data I use, and how to look at the big picture of business more holistically.” Goldman also shared his insights into how the Online MBA equips students with valuable skills to propel them forward as they tackle uncharted territory. “It’s not always easy to predict the future, despite the massive amounts of data and information we have available to us. Instead, investing in a set of critical competencies and skillsets, along with developing a diverse professional network, is needed to prosper even in the face of uncertainty. UofL’s Online MBA program helps professionals do just that in a flexible, affordable, and student-centered way.”