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Pursue Flexible Online Programs while you balance real life. Grace College offers accelerated MBA programs online and more. Apply now.
May 28, 2026

Flexible Online Programs: Quick Questions with Our Online Graduates

We love highlighting our online graduates and celebrating the ways they’re using their degrees. Each of these students balanced real-life responsibilities while pursuing their flexible online programs, and along the way, they gained more than knowledge. They developed discipline, discovered their calling, and were equipped with skills they’re already using in their careers and ministries.

We asked a few quick questions about their career goals, study habits, favorite study spots, and what they appreciate most about flexible online programs. Here’s what they shared!


Natalie Gaerte

Program: Bachelor of Business Administration

Career Goal: I hope to be able to effectively run my own business.

#1 Study Hack: Earbuds in and play Mario Kart music!

Favorite Study Spot: My bed!

“I never thought I’d go back to college after leaving two years at my previous college, but Grace College made a way.”

Gaerte’s journey is a testament to perseverance and second chances. Through Grace’s flexible online programs, she returned to school to gain the knowledge and skills in business administration that she needed to do her job well and lay the foundation for her own future business.


Dr. Walter Castro

Program: Doctor of Ministry

Career Goal: I intend to dedicate this degree to the glory of God and use it in whatever capacity He leads me.

#1 Study Hack: I’ve learned that addressing responsibilities in a single sitting is the only way to prevent the inevitable influx of life’s daily demands from derailing one’s progress.

Favorite Study Spot: A quiet room with no distractions to focus on my Seminary work.

“The best part of my experience at Grace College and Theological Seminary was the friendship with my classmates. The relationships I formed at Grace Seminary were the best of my life, with colleagues and professors. I am so blessed to be part of this great family.”

Dr. Castro’s experience highlights the depth of Grace Theological Seminary’s theological education. Even as he was enrolled in one of Grace Theological Seminary’s flexible online programs, he built meaningful relationships with his classmates and professors. Dr. Castro can confidently say that he feels spiritually and intellectually equipped to serve wherever God calls him.


Shayla Bridgewater

Program: Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Career Goal: To build experience in counseling and eventually open a faith-integrated practice that invites and empowers communities to embrace mental well-being.

#1 Study Hack: I keep a daily planner, the hour-by-hour kind. It reminded me, on the days when juggling was particularly difficult, that I could do this. Just one step at a time.

Favorite Study Spot: My cozy, candlelit living room, snuggled up with my chihuahua, and quiet lo‑fi playing in the distance. It’s raining, and my coffee is warm.

“It was more than just a counseling program. I got to know people in my cohort really well through the residency that we do yearly.”

Bridgewater’s story reflects how Grace’s Christian counseling degree, along with all of Grace’s programs, blends professional preparation with a biblical worldview. Through both her coursework and residency experiences, she has developed the clinical skills required for counseling and a vision for impacting communities through Christ-centered care.


Matthew Helton

Program: Master’s in Business Administration

Career Goal: I hope to apply my MBA degree to my current management role and to use it further down the line in my career.

#1 Study Hack: My #1 hack is to put on some good music, grab a coffee, and sit down with my dogs while I get my work done.

Favorite Study Spot: I like to study on the couch.

“What I appreciated about the online program was getting to further my knowledge of the business world, and being able to obtain my master’s degree was something I always dreamed of doing.”

Helton’s experience in the MBA program reflects his commitment to personal growth and professional advancement. As he balanced work and school, he deepened his understanding of the business world and strengthened the skills needed for effective leadership.


Alena Folz

Program: Bachelor of Human Services

Career Goal: I hope to work with the Department of Child Services. 

#1 Study Hack: Utilize your local library! I stay most focused there. 

Favorite Study Spot: The library.

“I really appreciated the ability to be able to work full-time while also earning my degree.”

Folz’s journey through the Bachelor of Human Services program demonstrates how flexibility and purpose can work together to create impact. While working full-time, she remained focused on her calling to serve others, gaining the knowledge and practical foundation needed for careers in human services.


Pursue Flexible Online Programs while you balance real life. Grace College offers accelerated MBA programs online and more. Apply now.
Courtney Phelps

Program: Bachelor of Business Administration

Career Goal: Run businesses and manage people well.

#1 Study Hack: Take a look at expectations for the whole week early on and pencil in your planner when you’ll work on what!

Favorite Study Spot: My couch!

“I really appreciated the online program because of the flexibility to work around my schedule and around my kids. The work I did has prepared me well to launch a business. Every class was so valuable and taught me more about myself, my peers, my past, and how to lead people better.”

Courtney’s experience captures the heart of Grace’s online programs: flexible online programs without sacrificing educational depth. As a working mom, she was able to pursue her education while gaining practical leadership skills and the confidence to start her own business.


Pursue Flexible Online Programs while you balance real life. Grace College offers accelerated MBA programs online and more. Apply now.
Luke Rosebrook

Program: Master’s in Business Administration

Career Goal: To be in a leadership role in an accounting or finance department. Someday, I think it would be cool to start my own firm. 

#1 Study Hack: Turning off my phone. 

Favorite Study Spot: My desk at home or my couch.

“I really appreciate that the online MBA program allows you to work at your own pace. It really accommodates a busy life schedule.”

Rosebrook’s time in Grace’s accelerated MBA programs online highlights the value of flexible online programs. While managing a busy schedule, he pursued his degree to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for future roles in accounting or finance.


Pursue Flexible Online Programs while you balance real life. Grace College offers accelerated MBA programs online and more. Apply now.
Skyler Shannon

Program: Master’s in Business Administration

Career Goal: I want to use my MBA to become an aquatics director and create programs that expand swim opportunities for families and individuals who may not otherwise have access to them.

#1 Study Hack: I’d use my lunch breaks to get halfway through assignments, so finishing them later felt easier.

Favorite Study Spot: My bed!

“I was able to implement all the skills that I learned through the MBA program to apply them to my current job, and I got a promotion because of it as well.”

Shannon’s experience shows the immediate impact of an MBA from Grace. By applying what she learned directly to her job, she not only grew professionally but also achieved tangible results, including a promotion. This demonstrates how the program prepares students to lead in real-world settings.

Make an Impact

Each of these graduates brings a unique perspective, but all of them share the determination to finish strong and make an impact. We’re proud to celebrate them and all of our online students who have reached this milestone.