This year’s commencement holds extra meaning for Karen and Kendyll Buck, a mother and daughter who are crossing the stage together to receive their Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees from Eastern University.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” says Karen. “Not many people can say they completed a graduate degree alongside their daughter, and it's something I am incredibly proud of. We’re so excited to share the stage and celebrate this accomplishment together.”

For both Karen, a seasoned healthcare leader with a decades-long nursing career, and Kendyll, an early-career professional breaking into the event planning industry, the decision to enroll in Eastern’s MBA program was a strategic step toward growth, leadership, and new possibilities in their respective fields.

“Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly involved in hospital finance, operations, and value-cost analysis, but I often felt unprepared to fully contribute to these important decisions,” says Karen, Director of Nursing for Women’s and Neonatal Services at the Medical University of South Carolina. “Earning my MBA gave me the tools I needed to be a stronger advocate for my team and a more effective leader. I never expected that I would be doing it alongside my daughter.”

Kendyll had just completed her bachelor’s degree in Arts Management with a minor in Art History from the College of Charleston when she was faced with a period of uncertainty about her next steps. “Post-undergrad, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she says. “I considered so many different career paths and ultimately landed on attending Eastern with my mom.”

Living in Charleston, South Carolina, the pair quickly had to learn to balance their coursework with the city’s many temptations, like sunshine and sandy beaches. Kendyll often stayed up late to finish her assignments, while Karen preferred early mornings to tackle her work. They regularly texted each other updates on how long projects took, coordinating their study schedules around the best times to head to the beach. That communication and accountability proved critical throughout the MBA program’s rigorous curriculum.

“One of the most memorable moments was when we submitted our final major project,” Karen recalls. “I think the text we shared was just one word: ‘DONE.’ It felt like the culmination of all the hard work, late nights, and dedication we had poured into the program.”

Though they brought different life stages and perspectives to the program, Karen and Kendyll say their shared experience deepened their relationship and gave them new respect for each other’s strengths. “Watching Kendyll succeed and become a TA reminded me of the excitement I once felt when I first entered graduate school,” says Karen. “I’ve spent most of my adult life in school, but I never felt as competitive with another student as I did completing this degree with Kendyll,” she jokes.

For Kendyll, having her mom by her side brought structure, motivation, and plenty of moral support.

“We’ve both said we wouldn’t have been as successful if we had completed the program alone,” she says. “This program was challenging, but being in it together meant we could keep each other accountable and remind each other of the end goal.”

Their bond grew in unexpected and meaningful ways, especially after spending four years apart while living in different states following Kendyll’s move to Charleston after high school in 2019.

“We lived a few states apart until my mom accepted a job down south,” says Kendyll. “All at once, we could see each other again, and we enrolled in school together. Our weekly ‘How are you?’ calls turned into daily messages about due dates, the weather, and when we could meet up for a coffee date. It’s almost as if we went from friends to best friends.”

Karen’s decision to move to Charleston mid-program wasn’t easy. At the time, she was working as Enterprise Women’s Health Service Line Lead at Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, where she had spent her entire 27-year career. But when the opportunity arose to lead nursing operations in Charleston, she took a leap.

“Starting a new job in a new city while continuing the MBA was incredibly stressful, and I seriously considered taking a semester off,” she says. “But Kendyll kept me motivated to push through. I was determined not to let her finish the program alone and I certainly wasn’t going to let her beat me to the finish line!”

Since finishing the program, Kendyll has already landed a new role as an Event Sales Consultant in Charleston and says the MBA was a key part of her success.

“Without the MBA, I wouldn’t have been considered a candidate,” she says. “The focus on organizational management made my resume shine. The program gave me a well-rounded education and the analytical skills to solve conflicts in the workplace.”

Karen is equally excited to apply what she’s learned. “I feel personally fulfilled by completing this degree because I know it will help me be a better leader for my team. It also means so much to me to be a role model for my children. Never stop learning – there is always more to know.”

Beyond the business acumen they gained, Kendyll found the greatest value in the program’s focus on leadership. Each course pushed her to think practically, apply real-world solutions, and grow into a polished professional. More than anything, she walked away with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead well.

Even while they dive into these next chapters of their lives post-graduation, Karen and Kendyll are already brainstorming new ventures together.

“We are constantly coming up with side hustles and business ideas,” they say. “I have no doubt that at some point, we’ll find the perfect opportunity to collaborate and build something meaningful as a team.”

As they reflect on the journey, both Karen and Kendyll hope their story inspires others who are considering an MBA.

“Believe in your ability to succeed, even when the journey feels overwhelming,” they say. “Surround yourself with people who uplift you, stay focused on your goals, and remember that every small step forward brings you closer to the future you deserve.”

Their biggest takeaway from completing the program together is that support makes all the difference.

They learned a lot about time-management on an academic level. But personally, they discovered that having someone to share the journey with makes even the most overwhelming tasks feel manageable. “Support, encouragement, and accountability can carry you through anything.”

“Learning never truly ends,” says Karen. “Staying curious, open to growth, and willing to adapt; those are the values we’ll carry with us for life.”