Taylor realizes dream of MBA degree

"I just want to thank my wife, children, family and friends who patiently endured through all that time I spent on the computer or with my head buried in a book," said Greg Taylor.

Taylor, a Dublin resident, recently received his Master's of Business Administration degree from UNC Pembroke.

It was a long three-and-a-half years of night classes and weekends studying. Taylor already had a busy schedule as director of the eight-county Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) and an elected member of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners. Even so, he managed to graduate with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, something that does not happen very often in UNCP's MBA program.

"I had to drop a class during my last bid for reelection," Taylor admitted. "But I took three classes in my last semester to make up for it."

For Taylor, the business professional, an MBA is a valuable asset.

"Having an MBA is a plus in so many ways as a business professional," he said. "UNCP's MBA program is designed for business professionals, so it is challenging and rewarding. I learned a lot that I can use to help my clients."

The SBTDC, funded by the University of North Carolina, consults with new and expanding businesses, which seek a variety of services, including business plans, loan packages, government contracts, market research and strategic planning.

For Taylor, the individual , an MBA is the realization of a long-held dream.

"I looked into MBA programs 10-12 years ago," he said. "When you get older and have children and other responsibilities, it can be difficult."

A job with the SBTDC in Pembroke provided the opportunity. Even after a promotion to director took him to the regional headquarters at Fayetteville State University, he continued in the program at UNCP Taylor said he got lots of help along the way.

"I would like to thank MBA Director Sharon Bell and my professors," he said. "The program has a lot of professors who are very helpful and understanding of the challenges facing today's working professionals."

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