LVC Celebrates 25 Years of Awarding MBA Degrees

Lebanon Valley College recently celebrated its 25th year of awarding master of business administration degrees. With courses available in Annville, Lancaster, online, or at local employers, students have taken different paths during their journey, but all achieved the same result. 

Here’s the story of two of our historic MBA alumni.

Lenette Shultz M’09, income tax manager and notary public for Ahold USA, attended courses one night a week at her company’s headquarters to earn her degree. This path proved to be convenient and cost effective for Shultz who prepares income tax returns and quarterly tax provisions, as well as manages the unclaimed property reporting and claims processes.

“Professionally, my MBA helped reduce the number of auditing hours I needed in order to become a Certified Public Accountant,” said Shultz. “It also provided me with a greater understanding of the corporate environment and has enabled me to have a more holistic view of the business.”

During her MBA studies, Shultz recalled a group project creating and presenting a marketing plan for the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat. “This project stands out to me because it had real world implications, it wasn’t just a simulation,” said Shultz, who has worked at Ahold for nearly 11 years.

Another benefit to Shultz earning her MBA at LVC is the bonds she developed with her colleagues as they advanced through the program together. She feels inspired by seeing everyone’s career growth.

Like Shultz, Peter Aftosmes M’97 found the College’s MBA program to be the perfect fit for a working professional. A native of nearby Palmyra, Pa., Aftosmes attended classes on campus, a place he already knew well. 

“I have long-standing ties to LVC through my grandfather, ‘Hot Dog’ Frank,” Aftosmes said. “I grew up attending LVC sporting events with my grandfather.”

In his current role as general manager of national accounts for the General Electric Company Healthcare Division in the United States, Aftosmes leads a team of national account directors responsible for contracting and sales within the healthcare group purchasing organizations, which serve 95 percent of all hospitals in the country. His team is accountable for more than $5.2 billion in annual GE Healthcare orders and drives growth for their healthcare market products and services. 

Aftosmes recalled several takeaways from the MBA program that helped him with his career.

“I found it very valuable to have actual corporate vice presidents, chief financial officers, chief executive officers, and other working or retired executives teach our MBA classes,” he said. “Many of the tools and strategies we learned were immediately applicable to my job activities and gave me an edge in terms of analytics and business development.”

The stories of Shultz and Aftosmes are just examples of the professionals who have studied and advanced their career at LVC. The College’s MBA program will graduate its 1,000th student during the 147th Commencement Saturday, May 14. 

Visit www.lvc.edu/mba to learn more about how Lebanon Valley College’s MBA program can advance your career.