Jeffrey Rosson Jr.’s Journey to his MBA at American National University
For Jeffrey Rosson Jr., earning a degree has been about finding a way to balance his professional ambitions with the responsibilities that matter most to him. A longtime employee of UVA Medical Center, Jeffrey has spent nearly 15 years growing his career while remaining actively involved in his family’s life. After earning both his associate degree and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Management from American National University, he continued his educational journey at the university and is now in his third term of the Master of Business Administration program. Named a Term Trailblazer for Term 262, Jeffrey’s story highlights the value of perseverance, flexibility, and a commitment to continued growth.
When Jeffrey initially began looking for a program, he knew that he couldn’t attend in person on account of working and taking care of his son. “What I liked about [American National University]—we actually had a campus right here outside of Charlottesville so I could physically go and talk to somebody about it,” he said. “That’s probably what gave [American National University] the edge over the other online universities, because I could come in and talk to people and I knew they were real.” He went on to explain how he didn’t go to the campus often, but “as far as taking a class, it’s been a hundred percent virtual.”
Jeffrey’s path to completing his associate and bachelor’s degree included personal challenges that required him to step back from school and focus on other aspects of his life. After navigating these difficult periods, he returned to his studies and ultimately earned his degree. Although he initially planned to take a full year off before pursuing his MBA, he found himself back in the classroom just eight months after graduation, continuing to build on the progress he had worked so hard to achieve. His return to ANU reflects his determination to keep moving forward, even when life calls for a change of pace. “I won’t say any of those things made me better, but they definitely tested me, and helped me find my resolve,” he explained. “It’s kind of like, ‘hey, you need to plan these things out, you need to take care of things, plan your time accordingly.’ I am grateful for learning that but wish I could’ve been taught it a different way,” he said with a slight chuckle. Aside from regretting the way things changed with his health and a loss, he appreciates that even the toughest things can change perspective. And even then, he acknowledges the loved ones he has in his life to help him on the way. “I wish I could take all of that credit myself. I’ve had some great support [with] Erin, J.W.—my son.” Family is at the heart of everything that Jeffrey does, whether it’s working with his mother, being raised by his father, loving his fiancé, and being there for his son. And they are the motivators he needs to continue to better himself through education.
“Being able to downshift working on my MBA [to] one class a term—because even part time for other [institutions] it was at least two classes a term or you didn’t qualify for this or that… So I’ve been able to focus more on, instead of splitting my attention onto two classes, just giving one class my entire attention. That’s definitely helped.”
As he has advanced in his career since his first degree with American National University, Jeffrey acknowledges the remote learning environment for his success. “I definitely have to give credit to the online learning environment where you essentially have to get to know people, and get to know things, and you have to dig for it, and you have to communicate for it,” he said, “I think it definitely sharpened my communication skills. It definitely helped me pay better attention to detail.” An example he gives is a project management course he took during his bachelor’s degree contributing to his career now. “And without some of the layers of that course, doing what I do now would have been a much harder transition… getting through [the materials], and working through it, and talking things out with my classmates with the discussion boards—honestly, that’s a great tool, too!” After reading some information in class and not fully digesting it, Jeffrey says that he’s been able to understand things more when he gets peer input from his weekly postings. “Sometimes it takes that person at the same level as you to be speaking in the same type of level you’re at that helps you understand it a little bit better,” he explains.
Peer interaction and collaboration has been a major key to Jeffrey’s understanding, however the professors have also made an impact throughout all of his educational journey at American National University. “I haven’t had a single experience where there’s a bad professor here… all in all, if I’m not understanding something, they’re always ready to jump in and give me that extra push from behind.” In particular, Dean of the Business programs, Dr. Lyndsey Obringer, has been instrumental even after only having her for one course. She “has been a phenomenal resource, phenomenal support in anything,” he said. “I don’t know what the experience is at other universities, but I just feel like she has my best interests in mind any time we’ve ever spoken,” he says, voice unwavering. “She’ll randomly check in every couple of months… it’s just been a phenomenal experience for that end of it.
I don’t think if I’d have went anywhere else that I would’ve gotten someone of that importance to the institution giving me that attention.”
Jeffrey’s future goals include owning his own business, particularly, he wants to own an event space that specializes in hosting weddings. “I’ve been to a million weddings and just seeing all of it, seeing how much they charge for it, and all the nuances… these places are booking out over a year in advance! It’s also something I could do and stay at UVA full-time,” he explained. “It’ll definitely be after I finish my MBA.” While owning his business, he hopes to stay in the UVA Medical Center to rise in the ranks of director or supervisor.
Would he recommend American National University to others looking to earn their higher education? “For sure! And definitely for someone like me who is working full-time, and you’re trying to fit education in the balancing act of life,” he said.
“For working adults—definitely. It’s been a life-changer for me to be able to do everything online… The freedom to be able to do it on your own time is well worth it.”
His advice to new students would include keeping up with “your time coordination and the balancing act.” He explained that students need to find pockets of time to dedicate to course work so that they do not fall behind. He says that even when life happens, you should “get your schedule down” and “plan for something unexpected to happen” in order to best maximize your time.
