Meet the Lindner Full-time MBA Cohort of 2026

Eli Awtrey, assistant professor of management and academic director for the full-time and working professionals MBA. Photo by Danielle Lawrence.

The class of 2026 includes 36 students representing fields such as medical sciences, psychology, industrial design and nursing. Students exemplify academic excellence as well, with an average 3.5 undergraduate GPA.

"We're excited to welcome this year's full-time MBA cohort. Their varied backgrounds and experience represent the wide range of individuals who can benefit from the training provided by our top MBA program," said Eli Awtrey, assistant professor of management and academic director for the full-time and working professionals MBA. "The education, networking and travel that students will experience as part of the program will shape them into leaders who are capable of tackling the world's business challenges."

Hear from just a few of the students entering this year's MBA cohort about their motivations, passions and plans for the future.

Lindner MBA student Katherine Anning.

Where are you from?

Cincinnati.

What is your undergraduate degree and what school did you attend?

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in marketing from Ohio State University.

What were your motivations for pursuing an MBA?

I wanted to strengthen my professional and leadership skills while also making a career pivot. Through the Lindner MBA, I can network and work with career counselors to help guide me toward my next career steps.

Why did you choose Lindner?

I chose Lindner because it was one of the few programs that allowed students to gain their MBA in just two semesters, while also being one of the most cost-efficient programs. I also chose Lindner because of the study abroad component of the full-time MBA. Getting the chance to travel to Chile with my peers for our crisis management course is a rare and unique opportunity.

What are you most looking forward to about your MBA experience at Lindner?

I am most looking forward to the connections I will be able to make with my peers, professors and advisors.

What long-term goals do you hope earning an MBA will help you achieve?

In the short term, I hope my MBA will allow me to break through into different business sectors that I don't yet have experience with. In the long run, my goal is to use the foundations from my MBA to one day build my own business in the Cincinnati area.

Lindner MBA student Dontrell Johnson.

Where are you from?

Fort Wayne, Indiana.

What is your undergraduate degree and what school did you attend?

Bachelor's in business analytics from Ball State University.

What were your motivations for pursuing an MBA?

I believe there were business skills that I wanted to fine-tune. I also wanted to continue to network and expand my connections.

Why did you choose Lindner?

I chose Lindner because of the opportunity to be a part of the full-time program. I loved the sense of community that Lindner provides for us students.

What are you most looking forward to about your MBA experience at Lindner?

I am most looking forward to the study abroad trip to Chile. I am also excited about all the companies and people we will meet through our networking events.

What long-term goals do you hope earning an MBA will help you achieve?

I hope to streamline my path toward advancement in my business analytics career. My goal is to build not only the technical knowledge but also the leadership and management skills needed to lead a team within a Fortune 500 company.

Lindner MBA student Edward Brown. Photo provided.

Where are you from?

Detroit, Michigan.

What is your undergraduate degree and what school did you attend?

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems with a minor in business management from Alabama State University.

What were your motivations for pursuing an MBA?

My motivation for pursuing an MBA stems from my desire to continuously add value to myself and my career. I wanted to sharpen my professional development skills, expand my business knowledge and open the door to better career opportunities. I saw the MBA as a chance to connect and network with like-minded individuals in the Cincinnati area who are equally passionate about growth and impact.

Why did you choose Lindner?

I chose Lindner after researching several business schools and being highly impressed with its strong outcomes. The return on investment and the high placement rates for students securing employment in their chosen careers really stood out to me. Just as important, Lindner's full-time cohort model offered the kind of in-person connections and experiences I was looking for, allowing me to build meaningful relationships while sharpening my business skills.

What are you most looking forward to about your MBA experience at Lindner?

I'm most looking forward to the study abroad trip to Chile, which will be my second opportunity to study internationally and broaden my global perspective. I'm also excited about connecting with Lindner alumni and prior students who share similar backgrounds and experiences, and learning from the paths they've taken after graduation. In addition, I look forward to building relationships with corporate partners and professional connections through Lindner, as these networks will be invaluable in expanding my expertise and advancing my career.

What long-term goals do you hope earning an MBA will help you achieve?

With my MBA, I hope to position myself for a leadership role, whether that means managing a top corporate firm or becoming a managing partner at a leading company. Beyond advancing my career, I want to use the business expertise I gain to give back to underprivileged kids and young adults who share a similar upbringing to mine, helping them see what opportunities are possible. I'm also pursuing a certificate in investment management alongside my MBA, which I plan to leverage as I break into the financial technology industry and build a career that blends innovation, leadership and impact.

Lindner MBA student Anna Lohrer.

Where are you from?

Cincinnati.

What is your undergraduate degree and what school did you attend?

Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Morehead State University.

What were your motivations for pursuing an MBA?

I wanted to expand my knowledge across all business fields and further develop my leadership skills.

Why did you choose Lindner?

The networking opportunities are endless, and I wanted to learn from experienced and credible professors.

What are you most looking forward to about your MBA experience at Lindner?

I am excited to build relationships with my peers and professors and to hopefully land a job that I am passionate about and offers a path for growth.

What long-term goals do you hope earning an MBA will help you achieve?

I want to transition my leadership experience from athletics into the business world and eventually earn an upper-level management position where I can make a lasting impact on clients and team members.

Want to build your professional skills and develop your talents in a way that will open the right doors for you? Lindner's MBA program is small, personalized, customized and immersive. Our full-time, part-time working professionals and online programs have all gained national acclaim. Request more information or join us at a future information session.