Senior financial accountant and analyst Kristin Monday closed out 2022 in a big way: completing her MBA.

Kristin in cap and gown last month, new degree in hand.

“I had originally planned to go right into graduate school after earning my undergrad degree,” says Kristin, who received the Master of Business Administration degree through the online program at UW-Parkside, where she also earned her bachelor’s. “However, I had a newborn and it was the furthest thing from my mind!”

Now that her children are a bit more independent, she decided to start the MBA program “on a semi-whim” in May 2021. “I applied and thought, What am I getting myself into?!” she recalls. But I’m so happy and proud that I accomplished this goal — even earning an A in every class and graduating with distinction.”

The time commitment — particularly all of the reading involved — was the biggest challenge, she says. She was typically taking two classes at a time and devoted most of her lunch breaks, evenings, and weekends to school.

“There was also a bit of parent guilt when I had to work on an assignment instead of doing something with one of my kids,” she says. “But they, along with my husband, were super supportive through this whole process. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Her favorite part of the program was all of the research — “learning the ‘why’ instead of the ‘how'” behind so many business practices. She shared information from one class in a recent presentation on multigenerational workplaces for North Shore Bank’s Emerging Leaders Group.

“We are so proud of Kristin earning her MBA — all while working full time, being active in various professional and community organizations, and also raising three boys with her husband, Mike,” says her boss, VP controller Heather Stevlingson. “Her positive, friendly outlook and sense of humor brighten our department. Congratulations, Kristin!”

Now, Kristin says, she’s just excited to have more energy and space to apply what she’s learned — and relax a little bit.

“Relieved! Fulfilled!” she says, describing how she feels about completing her MBA. “I’m still adjusting to having free time — I’ve got a lot of books, TV shows, movies, recipes, etc. to catch up on!”