Sheri States' work experience enhanced her learning experience and vice versa while she was enrolled in Averett's master of business administration program. States, '04, who graduated from Averett's Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Program, first heard of the GPS Program when it began in the fall of 1988.
States chose Averett because it offered a schedule and program that was conducive to both her work and home life schedules.
"I also appreciated the accelerated schedule over a two-year period," States said. "In addition, I had been taking prerequisites at night and therefore I was accustomed to the evening schedule. I did not want the weekend program offered by many other schools because it would take me away from my family and church."
States, who is the director of the University of Virginia's Conference Services, worked a crazy summer schedule of 60 hours a week, served her family and church and was still able to obtain a 4.0 grade point average.
As director of conference services, States leads and directs all of the activities associated with 120 conferences and 17,000 guests that come to the university each summer. In addition, her office provides housing for the summer session students -- about 275 each summer.
"During the summer we offer 24/7 service by employing bright and talented UVA students each summer," States said. "We promote our students into supervisory positions and many of them go on to become professionals within our office or go into event planning."
States has worked at the Charlottesville university since 1989. She joined conference services in 1997.
"I truly believe that there is a symbiotic relationship between what I am doing and my degree," said States. "My many years of work experience enhanced the learning and the learning enhanced the work experience. The most important element of the degree has been that I have become a better strategic planner.
"I am better able to see why people approach situations differently, especially in looking at someone's potential bias. In addition, I have a thirst for information as it relates to leadership. I am constantly sharing my knowledge with my very bright UVA students to better equip them to become better leaders both now and in the future."
"I enjoyed the learning and I grew so much as a person," States said. "Averett really made it possible to work and obtain an MBA. It wasn't an easy task, but I am extremely proud of this accomplishment."
As a "people person" one of the things States enjoyed the most about her time at Averett was working with the professors and her study team.
"I especially appreciated my study team member Jennifer Oppenheimer, '04. We have a friendship that will last a lifetime. In addition, most of the information offered 'real life' application. While I was learning the material, I could put it into 'practice' in my own laboratory -- work."
States encourages anyone interested in going back to school to make sure they are ready to commit the time, energy and effort to obtaining a degree.
"If you have a family make sure your spouse knows he/she will also have to make sacrifices. This is truly a full-time program with a full-time commitment. This does not mean you can't have a life.
"There were certainly sacrifices, especially for my family, but I taught my son the importance of hard work in obtaining one's goals. I will always treasure the love and support of my family and friends along the journey."
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