Five military branches represented in University of Florida Online MBA Class of 2025
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Out of the seven military branches in the United States, five are represented in the latest class of Online MBA students at the University of Florida. Fifteen students in the Online MBA Two-Year Class of 2025 are current service members in the United States Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.
“Being able to assist active-duty military and veterans with continuing their education is a distinct point of pride for us at the University of Florida,” said John Gresley, Assistant Dean and UF MBA Director. “We’re looking forward to preparing the most recent class of military members in our Online MBA program for what’s next in their careers, whether that be continuing in the service or transitioning into civilian life.”
The University of Florida’s Online MBA program was recently ranked the No. 1 online MBA for veterans by U.S. News & World Report. For the second consecutive year, the University of Florida earned the top title, a complement to its host of other benefits for current or former military members.
In addition to the ability to apply the Post-9/11 GI Bill® to any of UF MBA’s programs and the program’s commitment to accommodating servicemen and servicewomen with their military obligations through locked fees and enrollment positions, frequent program start options, set program lengths and flexible schedules, UF is a designated Yellow Ribbon school and has a dedicated Office of Veterans Services.
Despite growing up in Gainesville and a desire to one day attend his hometown university, Andrew Balha (MBA ’25) didn’t initially consider UF due to the nearly 4,600 miles between UF’s campus and where he currently lives in Hawaii. As the U.S. Army First Sergeant began searching for military-friendly MBA programs, a familiar name continued to populate in his search results – the University of Florida. The Online MBA program’s distinct reputation and option to earn a degree from a distance made for an easy choice for Balha.
“One of the things I liked most about Warrington’s online program is the asynchronous learning platform, which was one of the most important aspects to my selection of school,” Balha said. “Couple asynchronous learning with the university I’ve always wanted to attend, and it was a no brainer. I only applied to UF.
“One of my mentors repetitively loves to state that branding matters when it comes to degrees, and UF has an excellent brand.”
Similar to Balha, Michael Boswell (MBA ’25) needed a program that would prioritize flexibility for the active-duty Air Force pilot. Having already received his undergraduate degree at UF, Boswell knew about the University of Florida’s excellent reputation. Coupled with the flexibility of the Online MBA, the University of Florida’s program was Boswell’s first choice for earning his graduate business degree.
“UF’s two-year online program allows me to work and acquire my MBA unlike any other program,” he said.
While Boswell’s been well-educated in the military’s teachings on leadership, he’s interested in how to apply those same skills outside of the military setting.
“Military is all about leadership, and this program will help refine those skills,” Boswell shared. “An MBA from UF allows me to hit the ground running to excel outside of the military and in the business world.”
