For Teresa Tate, completing the MMA program is about more than advancing her career – it’s also showing her children that learning never stops. With a full schedule working in marketing and recruiting – plus being a mom of two – she’s finding a balance of growing professionally without sacrificing what matters most.

Get to know Teresa

Program: Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA)
Start date: Spring 2025
Anticipated graduation date: May 2029
Current location: Waynesville, NC

Life before Jenkins

Work experience: 22 years
Industries: Education, News, Communication, Hospitality, Nonprofit
Roles: Writer, Editor, Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Director
Fields: Communication (7), Public Relations (9), Marketing and Communications (6)
Undergraduate education: B.A. Journalism, UNC-Chapel Hill

Career goals

Teresa grew up in a puzzle-loving and board game-playing family – so perhaps finding her way into the strategic world of marketing analytics is no big surprise to those who know her. Her career in journalism, communications and marketing led her to roles in journalism, education, hospitality and nonprofit industries. Today, she’s enjoying working at the intersection of content and data, and studying “the art and science” of marketing: making data-driven decisions that achieve measurable results.

Her long-term vision? An advanced or specialist position where she can use analytics to guide campaigns to success and translate insights into action. “I love the kind of projects where time flies because you’re so absorbed,” she says. “For me, that happens when I’m writing and when I’m working with data and considering how it connects to the overall story.”

Why Jenkins? 

Teresa first found the Jenkins MMA program through a Google search while looking for degrees that combined marketing, analytics and strategy. The more she read, the more it felt like the perfect fit – not just for the curriculum, but for the community.

“I wanted to be part of the conversation,” she says. “The faculty bios were so impressive, and the course descriptions included topics and content that I wanted to learn and could apply to my job the next day.” 

Even though Hurricane Helene – which impacted her western North Carolina community –  slowed her college search, she said the MMA program staff were friendly and very responsive. They answered questions and helped her expediently navigate the application process. The program’s spring and fall start dates, which enabled her to start weeks later, as well as the immediate relevance of the coursework, sealed the deal.

Daily life

Balancing graduate school with family life and a full-time role is no small feat, but Teresa has found ways to make it work. As a mom to an elementary and a middle school student, she’s making lunches, cheering at volleyball games and concerts, and just being there for everyday moments. She carves out study time creatively, such as listening (or re-listening) to lectures during her commute. “I want to learn and challenge myself, and, at the same time, I don’t want to miss time with my family,” she said. “I am grateful for the flexible schedule the MMA program offers.”

“I am grateful for the flexible schedule the MMA program offers.”

What makes it great

For Teresa, the program stands out in two major ways: the people and the practical impact.

Faculty like Donnie Hale made analytics approachable – and fun – by tying concepts to current events. Tom Byrnes introduced case studies and discussion board topics that sparked interesting conversations enriched by the diverse professional backgrounds of her classmates.

“I’m not just gaining knowledge I can use,” she says. “I’m hearing new perspectives and ideas, and it’s inspiring.”

She’s also made the most of resources beyond the classroom. Career coaching sessions helped her identify strengths and opportunities, and refine her professional goals. “The coach I met with was knowledgeable, insightful and genuinely cared about me and my success,” she says. “The career coaching available through the MMA program is a great benefit.”

Career impact

In her role as the marketing coordinator for the Western Carolina University College of Engineering and Technology, Teresa has enjoyed applying her new skills in such ways as using more efficient and better methods to prepare and present data, to rethinking digital content plans. 

“What I am learning is changing how I approach marketing and measure success,” she says. “In general, I feel more confident and energized at work.”

“In general, I feel more confident and energized at work.”

Final thoughts

Teresa recommends the MMA program to anyone who wants to deepen their strategic marketing skills through data.

“If you love digging into data that could help you figure out which parts of your marketing strategy are moving the needle or discussing the latest in digital marketing, this program is for you,” she says. 

Get in touch

Connect with Teresa on LinkedIn.

Learn more

To learn more about the Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below.