If you were to identify themes in Gina Mazzone’s life, you would find family, service and education at the top of the list. As a single mother, Mazzone has worked hard to model these values for her three children (Salem, Keagan and Dorian) by serving others through organizations including Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Wisconsin, the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation and Music Departments and more.

Mazzone, who serves as executive administrative assistant to the vice president for academic affairs at Mount Mary University, has witnessed the transformational effects of higher education as a professional, as well as a student.

“During my first three courses on leadership in the MBA program, I was inspired,” she said. “I fell in love with learning again and remembered why higher education is my calling. I realized I am a leader and that I can do great things if I hone those abilities.”

One of the key components to her Stritch experience has been the connections she made within her cohort.

“Michelle Usadel, Trisha Roberson and Aswathi Gopalakrishnan have become very dear friends to me,” said Mazzone. “We have worked through challenging topics and courses together and helped build each other up. I am very grateful to the three of them for helping make my educational experience outstanding.”

Earning her MBA is not the finish line for Mazzone; rather, it has served as a springboard to propel her even further in her educational, professional and personal journeys. She will begin the doctoral leadership program at Stritch in June 2022.

“Before attending Stritch, a Ph.D. seemed unattainable to me — a dream that would never become a reality,” said Mazzone. “My Stritch education has done more than prepare me for my future as a doctoral student and leader in higher education, it has given me the perspectives, skills and internal drive necessary to be successful.”