For Marcus Burns, earning his degrees from Southern Nazarene University (SNU) was about more than academic goals; it was about fulfilling a lifelong dream. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Marcus has called Tulsa, Oklahoma, home for over two decades. A father of three, he has raised his family here while also working and growing his career.
Marcus began his professional journey in telecommunication management before transitioning to banking in 2015. Since then, he has managed several high-volume branch locations and now serves as a Private Banker for Wealth Management clients. Though his career was thriving, Marcus recognized that advancing to the next level professionally would require more than experience. It would require more expertise and more education.
“It was always a goal of mine to complete my bachelor’s and master’s degrees,” Marcus shared. “I realized I had reached a ceiling in my career and needed higher education to reach the next step. Having a degree gave me an advantage over the other potential candidates.”
Balancing work, family, and pursuing his degrees was no easy task, but SNU’s Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) program format made it possible.
“The PGS program was great for my schedule,” Marcus said. “Having children and working full-time left me with limited time for a traditional college schedule. SNU’s program made it possible for me to finally complete my degree.”
Marcus earned his degrees at Southern Nazarene University’s Tulsa Campus, completing his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership in 2021 before going on to complete his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2023. Throughout his time at SNU, he found support and encouragement from faculty and peers who quickly became more like family.
“The staff was amazing. My peers were all amazing. I was and still am proud to say that I attended SNU,” Marcus said. He also emphasized the benefit of the programs’ cohort structure. “Because we took every class with the same peers, we built a close bond. Years later, I still communicate with my old classmates. I couldn’t have made it through the program without them.”
Earning his MBA opened doors that Marcus had previously found closed. For years, Marcus kept hitting the paper ceiling, an invisible barrier that kept him from advancing simply because he didn’t have a degree.
“I applied for a role four times and wasn’t offered the job. A few years later, after completing my degree, I applied again, and the job was mine immediately.”
Marcus’s story is a testament to perseverance, finding balance, and the power of a supportive educational community. By completing both his Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership and MBA through SNU’s flexible PGS program, he not only achieved his lifelong academic goals, but also leveraged himself for new career opportunities. Beyond the degrees, Marcus values the lasting connections he’s made with his peers from the programs, as well as with the faculty who inspired and supported him. These enduring connections and advancement opportunities serve as a reminder that success at SNU extends far beyond the classroom.
