Kasey Mohr did not excel in a traditional college setting. She went to a big state school for about six months before moving back home to Defiance. A self-proclaimed work-a-holic, Mohr took an entry-level job as a personal banker at Fifth Third Bank, but she knew she needed to continue her education to progress in her career. After earning an associate degree from Northwest State Community College, Mohr enrolled in Bluffton’s blended degree-completion program while working full-time.

“There is a direct correlation between my education at Bluffton and my advancement in my career. I’ve received two promotions since I started the program,” explained Mohr. “One promotion was to financial center manager at our Wauseon banking center and most recently to financial center manager at one of our Toledo locations, one of the busiest locations in Toledo. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without Bluffton.”

Bluffton’s blended degree-completion program allows adult students to work full-time while taking three Saturday seminars on campus and weekly classes online. “I did research a few other colleges and institutions,” said Mohr, “but nobody else could provide what Bluffton did with the blended program.”  

Mohr explained that some colleges started night classes too early in the evening, but because Bluffton’s classes used videoconferencing technology, she was able to stay late at work on class nights, set up her laptop and take classes from her office. “The decision was a no-brainer. It was affordable and convenient,” said Mohr.

Mohr completed her studies in December 2016. Now, she manages seven employees at the banking center. “I love what I do. I wear many hats as a financial center manager, but most of my day involves coaching and developing my team,” said Mohr.

She routinely looks back on lessons learned at Bluffton in the areas of servant leadership and emotional intelligence.  “I use those on a daily basis to ensure I’m serving my employees and engaging with them and that I’m giving them the tools they need to be successful.”

While taking classes online might seem like an impersonal way to earn a degree, Mohr explained that she developed strong bonds during the two-year program. 

“I had never before received as much personal attention from instructors or classmates even in an in-class setting. You really are working with classmates on a regular basis, texting and calling,” said Mohr. “I’m still in touch with instructors and classmates. We built relationships that will last beyond college and hopefully for quite some time. I really found the program to be valuable and impactful to my life.”