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After life's unexpected detours, an online MBA and a strong support system helped her keep moving forward.
When Alyssa Welch enrolled in Central Michigan University's online MBA program in 2020, she had a plan. Working full time at Consumers Energy as an administrative specialist, she intended to take a few classes each year while using her employer's tuition reimbursement to earn her degree at a steady pace. After researching online MBA programs across Michigan, she chose CMU because it offered the best combination of flexibility, affordability and academic quality for her goals.
Life, however, had other plans. In December 2021, Welch gave birth to her daughter at just 24 weeks’ gestation. Graduate school immediately took a back seat as she stepped away from work, then later returned with a reduced work schedule while balancing appointments, therapies and the demands of caring for a child with complex medical and developmental needs.
“I had to basically press pause on my life for two years,” Welch said. “I had to re-learn life as a NICU mom first, then as a working professional, and didn't touch a textbook for two years.”
When she finally decided to return, it wasn't because things had become easy. It was because she and her family reached a point where continuing felt possible.
“As a family, we determined that my daughter’s medical needs and appointment calendar had reached a phase that made returning to grad school possible,” Welch said. “It was like, all right, well, let's giddy up and get back on the horse.”
The road to graduation remained anything but straightforward. During the final stretch of her MBA, Welch navigated multiple career transitions, including an unexpected months-long layoff after a major client left one employer. She ultimately completed her final two courses while beginning her role as the marketing intelligence manager at Vibe Credit Union.
“We didn’t juggle it well all the time,” Welch said. “I mean, truthfully, it was brutal at times. Some classes were like, 'How am I actually going to find time to do this?' I had to dig deep between all the things that I had going on at home and work.”
Rather than facing those challenges alone, Welch found consistent encouragement from her advisor, Kari Yerington, and the faculty in CMU's online MBA program. Whether she needed guidance after an unexpected setback or reassurance that returning after two years away was possible, she always found someone willing to help.
“Kari was tremendous,” Welch said. “She was a huge piece of helping me just kind of get through it. Even just coming back after being out for two years, she was such a fantastic cheerleader and supporter, and a very key part of how I was able to stay with it.”
In the end, the diploma bears only Welch's name, but the journey to earn it was anything but a solo effort.
“Without the support of my family, I wouldn’t have found my way back to the starting line, put in the time, and ultimately crossed the finish line,” she said.
Today, Welch serves as the marketing intelligence manager at Vibe Credit Union, where she applies the strategic thinking, leadership skills, and analytical perspective strengthened through CMU's MBA program.
