Executive MBA

From Student-Athlete to Business Leader

Business

How Bellarmine’s Online MBA Opened Doors for Hope Sivori-Carnes

Balancing a demanding athletic schedule with graduate-level coursework is no small feat—but for Hope Sivori-Carnes, determination, discipline, and the flexibility of Bellarmine University’s Online MBA program made it possible.

Now a proud Online MBA graduate and a Business Development Manager at Nesco Resource, Hope credits Bellarmine’s program with helping her grow professionally while supporting her unique needs as a student-athlete.

“A couple of my favorite things about the Online MBA program were the small class sizes and the caring faculty and staff,” Hope shared. “You never feel like just another number—people genuinely want to see you succeed.”

As a student-athlete, Hope traveled almost every week for competitions. Traditional in-person programs would have made it nearly impossible to stay on track academically. The Online MBA’s structure—featuring live, interactive classes held every other week—gave her the flexibility she needed without sacrificing the quality of her learning experience.

“My favorite part was having classes every other week. As a student-athlete traveling almost every week, it was comforting to know I wasn’t missing anything,” Hope said. “My classmates were always supportive and willing to catch me up on anything I missed. I never felt behind—everyone was so helpful and understanding.”

Beyond flexibility, Hope highlights the close-knit learning environment as a defining feature of the program. The small class sizes fostered meaningful discussions, strong peer relationships, and direct access to faculty who were invested in her success.

“I highly recommend the Online MBA program because of the flexibility, the small class sizes, and the incredibly helpful faculty and staff,” she said.

Today, Hope is applying the leadership, strategic thinking, and business skills she developed at Bellarmine directly to her role in business development. She sees her Online MBA not just as a degree, but as a catalyst for new opportunities and professional growth.

“This program has opened many doors for me, and I’m extremely thankful to Bellarmine University for this,” Hope shared.

Hope’s story reflects what Bellarmine’s Online MBA is designed to provide: a high-quality, supportive, and flexible graduate business education for working professionals, athletes, and anyone seeking to advance their career without putting their life on hold.

Tags: Executive MBA , MBA

 

ABOUT BELLARMINE

Located in the historic Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine University is a vibrant community of educational excellence and ethical awareness that consistently ranks among the nation’s best colleges and universities. Our students pursue an education based in the liberal arts – and in the distinguished, inclusive Catholic tradition of educational excellence, the oldest and most rewarding in the western world. It is a lifelong education worthy of the university’s namesake, Saint Robert Bellarmine, and of his invitation to each of us to learn and live In Veritatis Amore – in the love of all that is beautiful, true, and good in life.