This past weekend, two mother-daughter pairs crossed the commencement stage at Youngstown State University, celebrating not just their MBAs in Organizational Leadership, but the personal and professional journeys that brought them there.

Lauryn Todd and her mother, Beth Todd, began the program in May 2024, each driven by their own motivations but motivated by a common goal. For Lauryn, a consultant in international tax at Ernst & Young, the decision to pursue an MBA was driven by a mix of career ambition, timing and a desire for personal growth. “I kind of felt like I was stuck,” Lauryn said. “I was trying to figure things out, and I realized I wasn’t doing any of the things I wanted to be doing. Starting the MBA gave me momentum.”

For Beth, now CFO of the Columbiana County Mental Health Clinic, the program offered a long-awaited chance to finish what she started decades ago. She began graduate coursework in the 1990s but paused to raise a family and build her career.

“You always say, ‘I’ll go back to school one day,’ but that day doesn’t come unless you make it,” she said. “Getting my MBA has always been on my bucket list.”

Lauryn had previously applied to the program but postponed starting due to work demands until a call from her mother reignited the idea. “Mom just called me out of the blue and said she was doing it,” Lauryn said. “That kind of brought it back to life for me.”

At the same time, another mother-daughter duo, Kiara Jones and her mother Michele Greene, were embarking on their own MBA journey at YSU. For Jones, a junior financial advisor who earned her undergraduate degree at Cleveland State University, returning to school was both a practical and aspirational decision. “After completing four certifications for my role, I realized I had the time and energy to go back to school,” she said. “YSU’s program stood out for its affordability, flexibility, and strong academic foundation.”

For Greene, a 30-year veteran of the manufacturing industry and Middle Tennessee State University graduate, the timing finally felt right. “I was a single mom balancing a career and raising kids, and I just never saw a clear path forward,” she said. “When Kiara started looking into MBA programs, she gave me the push I needed.”

Like the Todds, Jones and Greene leaned heavily on each other for support. “We had each other to stay on task and work through things together,” Greene said. In one business simulation project, Jones led marketing and finance while Greene took the reins in manufacturing. “We were able to merge our knowledge together and balance our strengths.”

The Todds faced their own challenges and shared experiences, balancing coursework with daily life, renovating Lauryn’s house by day and studying by night. “At one point, I said, ‘Lauryn, don’t drop. We’re too far in to quit now,’” Beth joked. Their competitive spirit also played a role. “We’re both very competitive,” Beth said. “We always compared our grades. And she always did just fine!”

Both duos saw immediate impacts at work. Beth applied lessons from her very first course to digitize workflows at her clinic. “It’s changed how I lead, and honestly, how our office functions.” Similarly, Greene, who holds a degree in industrial engineering technology, found the MBA strengthened her qualifications. “Now I’m taking my career to the next level.”

Jones, who began interning at her firm at age 19, now envisions launching her own business. “Having the MBA levels the playing field with senior colleagues and helps push me towards those next steps in my field.”

For all four women, the YSU MBA was not only an academic milestone, but also a shared experience that deepened their family bonds. “We haven’t always had one-on-one experiences like this,” Greene said. “With Kiara being a twin and having a younger brother, we haven’t always had one-on-one experiences like this and doing this together made it even more special.” Jones shared her sentiment, stating “I wouldn’t have picked anyone else to do this with.”

Lauryn echoed similar feelings about her mother. “I wouldn’t have done this without the role model my mom has always been. She’s a successful businesswoman and a great mom. She made it clear that it’s never too late to keep growing.” Beth added, “Lauryn is so much smarter than me, I say she gets that from her dad,” she joked. “But truly, she’s always inspired me to do bigger and better things.”

The YSU program also provided unexpected value through structure and connection. Beth appreciated professors opening coursework early and found connections through the online discussion boards. Lauryn noted the collaborative nature of even asynchronous courses. “There were still plenty of ways to connect through group work or collaborative assignments,” she said.

The Todds even shared a proud moment when they were both inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, YSU’s business honor society. For Lauryn, meeting their supply chain professor, Jeong Hoon Choi, was a highlight. “That class really helped me think differently about my clients and gave me tools I hadn’t had before.”

Looking ahead, all four graduates hope their stories inspire others to invest in themselves. “There’s no time like the present,” Beth said. “YSU made it affordable and doable.” Lauryn added, “I did it while working full time. If I can do it, others can too.” Greene agreed, “YSU’s technology and structure make it manageable, even with a full life.” And Jones called it “the most supportive academic environment,” with accommodations from both her professors and the online structure of the courses.