For Zachary Johnston, earning an MBA was about more than advancing his career — it was also part of a major life transition. 

After spending 10 years in the United States Army as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot, Zachary was preparing to move from military service into the civilian workforce. As he explored graduate school options, he was looking for a program that would not only strengthen his business knowledge, but also provide the support and guidance needed for that next chapter. 

That’s what he found at Bellarmine University. 

“I first reached out to the Office of Military and Veteran Services at Bellarmine University, and they were extremely welcoming and quick to respond,” Zachary shared. “That set a really good first impression for me, and ultimately, I think it was the experience I had with that office and that support group that led me to go to Bellarmine in the first place.” 

Zachary earned his MBA from Bellarmine in 2024 through the in-person program, which offered the structure, accessibility, and personal connection he was looking for. He says one of the most valuable parts of the experience was Bellarmine’s close-knit learning environment. 

“I really enjoyed the student-to-faculty ratio in Bellarmine’s MBA program and how approachable the faculty was,” he said. 

For Zachary, the program also helped fill important knowledge gaps as he prepared for leadership roles in business. 

“One thing I really wanted to do was understand finance a little bit more, and that’s what drew me to the program,” he said. “Now, as a graduate working in the real world, it’s become very evident that the lessons and principles we learned in the MBA program are directly related to what I’m experiencing now.” 

Today, Zachary serves as Business Development Manager at Vogt Power International, where he helps identify and evaluate future project opportunities for the company. He also credits Bellarmine with helping him build meaningful connections that contributed to his career path. 

In fact, one of the long-term friendships he developed through the MBA program led to a professional referral and ultimately helped connect him to his current role. 

Bellarmine’s support for military-connected students also stood out throughout the process. 

“As a student veteran, I first thought it was something that would be difficult and kind of burdensome to work through,” Zachary said. “But the Office of Military and Veteran Services really walks you through the entire process, whether you’re using your Post-9/11 GI Bill or whatever tuition assistance is available to you. It’s easy to walk through, especially when you use their knowledge and expertise, and it makes the experience that much more enjoyable.” 

Zachary says he would absolutely recommend the Rubel School of Business to other veterans, military-connected students, and working professionals looking to take the next step in their careers. 

His story reflects what Bellarmine’s MBA offers so many students: not only a strong business education, but also a supportive community that helps make career transitions, professional growth, and long-term success possible.