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Student Spotlight: Julius Ponder, PhD in Global Leadership & Change

Julius Ponder Student Spotlight

Current occupation:

Sales Director of Americas @ Storyblok

What made you decide to pursue your degree as an adult?

In my youth, I always struggled with school. But as I grew older, I gained an appreciation for meaningful learning. After receiving my MBA, I wanted to continue going and try for my PhD and be a professor one day.

Why did you choose to study at Tiffin University?

Originally from Ohio and always a fan of Tiffin University, I found that their mission aligned perfectly with my goals.

Describe your experience with the program so far.

The technology is perfect to use and has made it simple for me. Diving into research and proper processes helps me not only in school but also in my day-to-day career.

The faculty is always available and constantly open to communication.

How are you juggling work, life and going back to school? Any tips?

Juggling indeed. It is no easy task, but I find it helpful to be extremely organized and always block my to ensure all tasks are completed ahead of time. That way I can focus on family, school, & work at the appropriate time.

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What keeps you motivated to stay in the program?

I have never been the type of person to start something and not finish it. Plus, I live by my motto, “The weight is heavy but worth every pound.” I know and see the light at the end of the tunnel, so I can not give up.

What advice would you give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school?

Go for it. Find your reason and purpose, and go for it. Time keeps moving, so you should, too.

TU’s motto is: Without risk there is no gain. Can you tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you gained from it?

Life is all about taking risks. As salespeople, we always take risks and try new things to maximize our efforts. We can’t afford to always follow the status quo, but we must be willing to be creative and take chances to ensure we are on the proper road to greatness.