Kris Harmon decided to earn an MBA after 15 years of leading technology teams, including his current role as data analytics manager for a large multinational corporation based in Missouri. Considering his experience, strengths, knowledge gaps and desire for career growth, he was ready for new challenges.
“I’m a very ambitious and driven person,” he advised, noting that he’s always looking to expand his perspective on business for future opportunities. “I have lofty goals of getting into a C-suite role at some point.”
Kris knew he wanted a rigorous business education in an MBA program with an excellent reputation and affordable cost. With a full-time job and a family, he also needed a high degree of flexibility. “I have four kids and a wife, so that that definitely keeps me going,” he laughed.
Kris loves telling stories with data, and through months of meticulous research into the best online MBA degree programs, his next chapter became clear. He kept coming back to one school, and the same conclusion: He belonged at Arkansas State University.
“To me, it was no contest,” said Kris, who chose A-State for its affordable tuition, application-based curriculum, impressive rankings and AACSB accreditation. He also liked that the campus was close enough to his home near Springfield, Missouri, so he and his family could attend graduation in person, even after studying online.
Since starting the online Master of Business Administration—General program in January 2025, Kris has come to appreciate the way A-State meets science and technical professionals where they are, providing the tools to advance in business regardless of a student’s background. He says the Graduate Business Fundamentals course has proved invaluable in this respect.
“I needed that onboarding,” he confirmed, noting that the foundational accounting, finance, operations and marketing knowledge he gained will be crucial to achieving his goals. Managerial Economics has added “pieces of the puzzle” as well, he said, including critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving skills all aspiring executives need to succeed.
Working closely with his professors and classmates online has been another rewarding aspect of the program. “I’m always full of questions,” he said. “I am a person that loves to talk and conceptualize.” He likes that his MBA professors are easy to work with online, and generous with their time. “They’re very welcoming, very open with giving feedback whenever I reach out and ask for it,” he said.
Kris enjoys collaborating with peers from different industries on projects for an “engaging and mutually beneficial” experience. “That’s something that I look for, even in my teams in the real world,” he shared, “because you’re not going to survive in a corporate environment without collaboration.”
Kris is excited about his future and believes earning his MBA degree online was the right choice. “I’m going to get everything I want to out of this program,” he said, adding that he is eager to explore his full potential as a leader. “The beauty is that Arkansas State is going to allow me to maximize that.”
He recommends A-State Online to other professionals with big ambitions that include a role in the C-suite.
“When you look at the totality of the MBA program—accreditation, where it ranks, the cost, everything—I believe that you’re going to come to the same conclusion that I did,” Kris said. “You will not find a better value-add to your professional career and your growth.”
Set Your Goals High and Achieve Them Faster With an A-State MBA Degree Online
If you’re ready to advance your career in leadership or compete for executive and C-suite positions, choose a master’s degree that represents the gold standard in business education. Arkansas State University online MBA programs feature high-quality courses, application-based learning led by faculty with deep expertise in business, and the prestige of AACSB accreditation (awarded to only 6% of business schools worldwide).
In addition to our MBA – General online program, A-State offers a range of specialized MBA degree programs online with concentrations tailored to your personal and professional goals. Whether you are interested in upskilling for a promotion in your current company or transitioning to a new field, the following MBA concentrations can broaden your perspective on business.
- Agricultural Business
- Business Analytics
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Healthcare Management
- Human Resource Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
Earn your MBA degree online in as few as 12 months with our accelerated courses and flexible scheduling. Study whenever it’s convenient as you advance your knowledge in core business principles and practice areas, including:
- Economic theory and public policy
- Leadership and management
- Corporate finance
- Accounting and cost analysis
- Strategic planning
- Analytics and data-driven decision-making
- Digital marketing
- Project management
In the final capstone course, you will execute a team-based action research project with faculty guidance, developing detailed strategic plans to achieve real-world business goals. Collaborate and network with peers from a variety of industries as you develop an essential leadership skillset.
A-State also offers an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program for current and aspiring leaders, focused on communication theory, team dynamics, conflict resolution, organizational behavior and business ethics.