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Helicopter Pilot Amanda Homes Supplements Leadership Skills with UNL MBA

Although leadership is essential for any business to flourish, nowhere is that more evident than in the U.S. Military. For Amanda Homes, supplementing the leadership qualities she learned in the National Guard, means continuing her education in the UNL College of Business Administration MBA program.

Homes, originally from Lincoln, Neb., received her undergraduate degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. She quickly rose through the ranks to become a first lieutenant. She also logged over 50 hours in the helicopter she flies for the guard and serves as platoon leader.

“I wanted to pursue an MBA for several reasons,” Homes said. “I’m a relatively new officer in the National Guard, but I know that if I want to advance the ranks, a master’s degree will help me become a better leader and make me more competitive. I’m also unsure about what I want to do for a civilian career, so I wanted something that would be valuable and versatile.”

She believes an MBA will give her the practical education experiences that will position her for many jobs in the future. Right now, however, she does have one military goal she would like to accomplish – to fly for the Nightstalkers, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Amanda Holmes

MBA Student Amanda Homes

Just a year ago, Homes attended a UNL MBA information session and found out what it would take to be part of the program. She believes anyone who is determined to succeed can do it.

“I would tell any student considering earning an MBA not to worry if they don’t have a business undergraduate degree. I have never felt uncomfortable with the information presented in class and the professors do an excellent job of challenging all students in the program regardless of their degree.”

Dean Donde Plowman taught Homes in a negotiations class last spring.

“Amanda did a great job in my class. She is the kind of leader our MBA program is designed to help shape,” Plowman said.

Homes said that course and her managerial skills seminar were both beneficial in the guard.

“Seeing everything related in a business sense helped me view the issues I was dealing with in the National Guard from a new perspective,” Homes said. “This program has already exposed me to a number of concepts that are helping me as a pilot and platoon leader.”
Published: March 20, 2013