Master of Business Administration (Online)

Application Instructions

For admission into Alvernia's online MBA, you must have a baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (GRE or GMAT required if lower than 3.0). To apply:

• Speak to an admission advisor
• Complete an application
• Provide proof of a baccalaureate degree and all official college and institution transcripts
• Submit two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional sources
• Submit a one-page personal statement on the values of graduate education for your personal and professional goals
• Submit a copy of your resume outlining your professional and educational experiences
• Provide additional evidence of potential for success (not required, but encouraged): items such as academic or professional awards, special certifications, samples of scholarly or creative work and completion of specialized examinations

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Career Outlook

After earning your Master of Business Administration online, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Finance
• Accounting
• Marketing
• Sales Management
• Operations/Supply Chain Management
• Human Resources
• Government
• Nonprofits

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in management, business and financial occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 1.1 million openings are projected for management occupations each year, and over 900,000 are projected for business and financial occupations.

• Employment in the range of jobs available with an MBA with Management Badge is projected to grow up to 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2023 ranged from $99,410 to $172,280.
• Employment in the range of jobs available with an MBA with Marketing and Communication Badge is projected to grow up to 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2023 ranged from $131,870 to $157,620.
• Employment in the range of jobs available with an MBA with Finance and Economics Badge is projected to grow up to 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in those professions in 2023 was $115,730.

Contact Us

For more information about Alvernia’s Master of Business Administration contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Donald Schalk at 484-254-2127 or donald.schalk@alvernia.edu.

Accreditation

• Alvernia University's Business Department programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Master of Business Administration program contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Donald Schalk at 484-254-2127 or donald.schalk@alvernia.edu.
 

Samuel Bradley, DBA, MBA

Bradley has been a college instructor for nearly 20 years after spending approximately 25 years in a variety of marketing management positions in the Fortune 200 environment. Most of that time was spent with Harrisburg-based AMP, Inc., which was the world’s leading producer of electrical and electronic interconnection devices. During his professional career, he served as a sales trainer, channel manager, international product manager, industry manager and marketing research manager. These positions were held for companies in either telecommunications or electronics manufacturing.

Bradley's educational background is a varied as his vocational experience. His undergraduate degree is in social and behavioral sciences from West Chester University. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree he wanted to apply his behavioral studies to the business world and earned an MBA with a marketing concentration from Drexel University in Philadelphia. After working in industry, he fulfilled his lifelong desire to teach, earning his DBA with a marketing concentration from Argosy University in Chicago. The varied industry and educational background has formed his teaching philosophy that combines academic concepts with real-world applications. Students learn most effectively by applying concepts to their own experiences which supports real learning. My classes combine theoretical concepts with actual examples of the application of these concepts in the business world.

 

Jane D. Brooker, Ph.D., MBA

Jane Brooker earned a B.A. in Business Administration and Business Education from Cedarville University, an M.B.A. from University of Findlay, and was awarded a Ph.D. in Workforce Education with an emphasis in Human Resource Development/Organization Development and Cooperative Education in May 2020 from Pennsylvania State University. Her research includes interpersonal competencies, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness.

Jane has 20 years of teaching in K-12 business and technology classes and over seven years’ experience in the collegial level teaching business and education courses. She has taught educational strategies and professional development to Career and Technology educators at Pennsylvania State University. Jane has taught freshman level classes of Introduction to Business and Foundations of Business; upper level Business Communications; Instructional Strategies, Insurance and Risk Management; Field Experience and Business Education Seminar to Business Education majors; business internships; PACES class to students on academic probation; and was faculty advisor for a Learning Community for new freshman in the College of Business.

On a personal level, she competed in three Olympic Trials for Track and Field (‘88, ‘92, ‘96), has two grown children and five grandchildren, and enjoys outdoor activities with her husband.

 

Kate Huck

Kate Huck is the vice president of operations for Lehigh Valley Health Network-17th Street. Huck joined Lehigh Valley Health Network in 2015. Prior to this role, Huck served as administrator, post acute strategy and development and administrator of the Transitional Skilled Unit (TSU). Her previous roles included oversight of the Sleep Disorders Center, Endocrine Testing and LVHN’s Post-Acute Care Collaborative, which is a coordinated effort to manage and improve the transition and care of patients after they have been discharged from the hospital. Huck has led initiatives to enhance patient transitions, reduce hospital readmissions and optimize care partnerships. Along with these accomplishments, Huck led efforts to successfully expand telehealth programs within skilled nursing facilities. Under Huck's leadership, the TSU has earned a spot among the nation's best nursing homes, securing Five-Star Designation from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and recognition by U.S. News & World Report for Best Nursing Home, Short-Term Rehab.

Huck earned an MBA from Alvernia University and a bachelor’s degree from Moravian University. She is also a licensed nursing home administrator.

 

Ashlee Kantner

 

With 19 years of experience in the corporate environment, Kantner brings a wealth of expertise in HR program management, team leadership, and strategic collaboration. In her current role as an HR Program Manager, Kantner designs, delivers, and manages HR training, compliance, policies, and company handbooks for both HR and the business. They work closely with key stakeholders and leadership to influence and execute high-level program decisions.

As manager of leaves and accommodations, Kantner led a team responsible for managing the Leave of Absence and on-the-job accommodation processes for over 45,000 associates across the U.S. and Canada. This role involved regular interaction with corporate and field operations, HR leaders, labor relations, and legal teams to ensure business continuity and adherence to policies and procedures.

With a strong track record of leadership, Kantner excels at delegating tasks, prioritizing work, managing performance, and implementing new initiatives. Her excellent communication and collaboration skills have been key in driving team success and achieving high customer satisfaction. Motivated and passionate about success, Ashlee thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments and is committed to continuous learning and development.

In her personal time, Ashlee loves spending time with her husband of 15 years and 12-year-old son, who is an energetic baseball-loving Philadelphia sports fan! She also enjoys working out, playing tennis, and spending time by the pool with friends and family!

 

Nolan Katkowski

Nolan Katkowski earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Pennsylvania State University in 2011, and an MBA from Alvernia in 2023. Katkowski has over 15 years of professional experience with a focus in Supply Chain and Strategic Sourcing, and has assisted local firms such as Tower Health and Seakeeper to navigate the challenges in Supply Chain brought on by COVID-19 and other geo-political events.

Katkowski lives in Bernville with his wife, two children and three dogs. Nolan enjoys coaching his son's little league teams, as well as hunting and fishing.

 

Woosoon Kim

 

Paula Mazurkiewicz

 

Mazurkiewicz serves as an adjunct instructor in Alvernia University's Header School of Business' MBA and undergraduate programs.
 

• MBA courses taught: Management, Economics, Finance, Marketing, and Marketing Services
• Undergraduate courses: Management, Advertising & Promotion, Marketing, Microeconomics, and Operations Management
   
• Alvernia University Alumni Service Award
  • 2021- Top performing alumna for going above and beyond to serve local, regional and global communities.
     
• Alvernia alumna
  • 2003-Bachelor of Arts, Marketing and Communications
  • 2006-Master of Business Administration, Marketing and Communications
     
• Millersville University
  • 2025-Special Education Certification, K-12
     
• Corporate Experience
  • Employed by CNA Insurance Companies for over 20 years, creating a direct marketing division, "CNASelect."
  • Founded and operated an online international business for over 25 years.
     
• Community Service
  • Raised more than $25 million for the United Way of Berks County.
  • Mentored entrepreneurs in the areas of business development, business planning, market analysis, and strategic planning. 

 

Kathleen Nevel

For more than 30 years, Nevel held various management positions in manufacturing and maintenance operations, supply chain and logistics, and business planning with Reading-based Carpenter Technology. Nevel’s experience focused on cross-functional team building, strategic and operations planning, project management and systems implementation. Nevel has a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Immaculata College, a Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering (MEIE) from Penn State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Leadership from Alvernia.

In the community, Kathy serves on the board of directors for the John Paul II Center for Special Learning and the board of education for the Allentown Diocese. Additionally, Nevel serves on the Alvernia President’s Council and the Bishop’s Commission for Women. For the past 10 years, Nevel has been an adjunct faculty member at Alvernia in the College of Business, Communication, and Leadership.

 

Chris Nigon

Nigon is a US Naval Academy graduate engineer and retired sea Captain with deep leadership experience and expertise who also served four decades as CEO of international industrial companies. Nigon earned an MBA from SUNY. His two decades as forum leader in the Young Presidents Organization groomed him for the most demanding leadership challenges. He also serves as the turnaround CEO for several failing companies that require saving.

In addition to teaching online MBA courses at Alvernia, Nigon served 25 years at Temple University’s Fox Graduate School of Business as a capstone project executive and senior adviser. He supports MBA students as a mentor and has worked on CEL seminars. He also mentors US Naval Academy graduates and midshipmen as a trained mentor. Nigon lives in Lancaster and Annapolis with his wife of 50 years and their crazy chocolate lab.

 

Shauna Powell

 

Dr. Shauna V. Powell is an accomplished Information Technology leader, educator, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of Information Technology, IT strategy, organizational leadership, and learner-centered education. With a distinguished career spanning both corporate and academic settings, she specializes in designing and delivering transformative learning experiences that bridge technical expertise with practical leadership skills.

Powell began her professional journey in the United States Marine Corps, where she developed the discipline and resilience that continues to shape her leadership approach. Following her military service, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Master of Science in Computer Systems Management with a concentration in Software Development Management from the University of Maryland - College Park. She later earned her Ph.D. in Information Technology with a specialization in IT Education from Capella University.

In addition to her academic achievements, Powell holds numerous advanced certifications in agile practices, leadership, coaching, and technology delivery. These credentials complement her work across professional and educational settings, where she is widely recognized for integrating technical depth with instructional excellence.

As a published researcher and experienced educator, Powell is committed to creating authentic, engaging learning environments that merge technology expertise with human-centered leadership. Her professional mission is to prepare individuals and organizations to lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

 

Donald Schalk 

Donald Schalk is a Professional Specialist in the Business Department of Alvernia University and Director of the MBA Program. In addition, he is the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and works with regional business firms in the areas of professional development and corporate education, focusing on leadership and strategic management. Prior to his current role, Schalk was a strategically astute, multidimensional business builder and leader who drove growth and profitability within publicly and privately held energy, agriculture, retail, consumer products, service and wholesale industries.

A highly principled leader, who led with integrity, he built strong teams through collaboration and mentoring using a natural talent for articulating vision that gained trust and by-in from both internal and external stakeholders. He served as President and CEO of Agway Retail Services, Richland Partners LLC, Energy United Propane and President of C.H. Briggs Company prior to retiring to pursue a goal of teaching.

Schalk graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, and was inducted into its Athletic Hall of Fame for baseball. Schalk also earned a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University. He has served as a Trustee of Alvernia University and currently serves on the Boards of Ben Franklin Technologies, The LeMoyne Alumni Board, The 18th Ward Improvement Association and the Advisory Board of Visions Credit Union. He is married to wife Mary, has five sons and nine grandchildren. The Schalks reside in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.  

 

Tufan Tiglioglu, Ph.D.

Dr. Tufan Tiglioglu received his M.A. and Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in 1998 and 2001. He received a B.S. in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in Turkey in 1986.Prior to teaching at Alvernia, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University, where he taught various courses in Economics. In addition, he was a research assistant at the nationally known Wind Science and Engineering Research Center. His research on catastrophic wind events was funded by the Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

During his tenure at Alvernia, Tiglioglu served as Assistant Professor of Economics and Associate Professor of Finance and International Business. He was the Sam Walton Fellow (Faculty Advisor) for Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and served as the President of the Pennsylvania Economic Association (PEA). He also served as the Director of the MBA Program, Chair of the Department of Leadership Studies, and Director of the Ph.D. & M.A. in Leadership Programs at Alvernia. He is currently serving as the Chair of the Department of Business.

 

Eddy Vertil

Eddy Vertil is a seasoned management consultant and business advisor at Alescent, bringing over 18 years of experience in helping organizations navigate complexity, implement innovative strategies, and achieve sustainable success. He is an Advisory Council Member for the Harvard Business Review, a Forbes Council member, and a Fast Company Executive Board member, reflecting his significant contributions and thought leadership in the fields of project management and business strategy.

Vertil is actively involved with the Project Management Institute (PMI), serving as an executive board member and Vice Chair of Strategy and Technology for the PMI New Jersey Chapter, one of the largest chapters globally. His role includes overseeing strategic initiatives and leveraging technology to enhance organizational effectiveness. Additionally, Vertil serves as a site team member for PMI's Global Accreditation Center, where he evaluates academic programs worldwide to ensure they meet rigorous standards of excellence in project management education.

His expertise is further demonstrated by his participation in the review teams for PMI's PMBOK Guide, both 7th and 8th editions, and his contributions as a co-author of PMI's latest PMO Standard Guide, shaping the future standards and practices of project management globally. Vertil has also provided virtual lectures for several years and designed and developed courses for PMI Global, further expanding his impact on professional development in the field.

As a professor, Vertil empowers graduate students with practical insights and skills in strategic and technical project management. His engaging teaching style ensures that future leaders are well-equipped to thrive in dynamic business environments. Committed to continuous learning and professional growth, Vertil holds over 20 advanced certifications in project management, agile methodologies, and risk management. He is pursuing doctoral research focused on Benefits Realization Management, aiming to bridge the gap between strategy execution and tangible outcomes. Vertil's professional and academic endeavors exemplify his dedication to fostering excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact in the project management community.

Mary Ellen Wells, JD, LLM

Wells began her career as a tax attorney in Boston at Touche-Ross (now Deloitte & Touche). She subsequently practiced law at a firm that afforded her the ability to specialize in banking and tax law. While at the law firm of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, Professor Wells drafted and negotiated multi-million dollar private activity bond documents and negotiated purchases and sales of multi-million dollar businesses in addition to other banking, corporate, estate, and real estate work. After moving to Pennsylvania, Wells became a full-time faculty member at Alvernia, serving as chair of the Business Department for seven years. She has been actively involved in program development and creating new course offerings throughout her career at Alvernia, including the development of our Ph.D. in Leadership and our certificate program in Fraud Examination.

As a faculty leader, she has chaired the Rank and Tenure, Academic Standards, and Handbook Committees and has served as a member of the Honors and Awards, and Curriculum Committees. As president of the Faculty Council during 2020-2021, she was instrumental in proposing, garnering faculty support, and finalizing the four-college structure that includes the College of Business, Communication, and Leadership. Wells combines her community connections with her dedication to Alvernia. From 2017 to 2019, she served as one of only two faculty appointed to the Board of Trustees' strategy task force charged with exploring new strategic initiatives for the University. She was the one Alvernia faculty member involved in presenting initial plans for Alvernia's anchor institution status to community leaders. From 2020 to 2022, she drew on that experience to lead the faculty and staff committee that worked with Alvernia's Senior Leadership Team members to finalize the strategic pillars of the Alvernia Advantage, adding objectives and measurable initiatives.

Wells also serves the community through her active participation as a board member of The Friends of the Reading Hospital and the Berks County Public Library. As a member of the Finance Committee of the Berks County Public Library, she is responsible for budgetary oversight.