Griffons ADVANCE
Clifton Alexander is a self-described 鈥渕an of opportunity鈥� 鈥� if an opportunity presents itself, he鈥檚 going to take it. That鈥檚 how he came to pursue his MBA at Missouri Western.
Originally from Haiti, Alexander and his four siblings were adopted by a couple who brought them home to California in 2010. Through hard work, determination and a strong support network, Alexander graduated from high school and went on to pursue his bachelor鈥檚 degree at the University of California, Irvine. After graduating from UCI, Alexander had a serious question to ask himself 鈥� was he ready to enter a career, or did he want to continue his education?
At that point he spoke with longtime family friend Steven L. Craig 鈥� namesake of Missouri Western鈥檚 Craig School of Business 鈥� who told Alexander about Missouri Western and the great opportunities that awaited him. Alexander jumped on the chance to try something new.
鈥淥ne advantage to coming here [to Missouri Western] is that I can get that one-on-one time with professors when I鈥檓 struggling or have questions,鈥� Alexander said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 one big difference from back in California.鈥�
After graduating from Missouri Western, Alexander wants to return to Haiti to open a restaurant. 鈥淕etting my MBA, I鈥檓 learning a lot about the business industry that I didn鈥檛 learn when I was back in California.鈥� Missouri Western鈥檚 MBA program is giving Alexander opportunities to learn, network and gain experiences that he would not have had at other universities. 鈥淐ampus is so friendly, so welcoming,鈥� that although Alexander has only been attending classes at Missouri Western for a short time, he always has someone to stop and talk to as he walks across campus.
As the self-described 鈥渕an of opportunity鈥� that Alexander is, he feels fortunate to have jumped at the chance to experience something new in Missouri 鈥� an experience that is far removed from the life in California that he鈥檚 known for more than a decade. And he is looking forward to the opportunities that he will have in the future because of the education that he is receiving in Missouri Western鈥檚 MBA program.