The program equips grads with a broad understanding of business principles while advancing their knowledge of industry laws and regulations, organizational behavior, and strategic planning. Burnett will graduate with leadership skills that are fundamental in the healthcare industry.
Meanwhile, she is stealing bases and hitting home runs, attending classes online, and working as an administrative assistant for corporate compliance at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Pittsburg.
There, she coordinates and manages external meetings for the organization’s leadership team, assists with scanning and organizing documents, and light research.
She came to Pittsburg with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from NEO in Miami, Oklahoma, where she was allotted additional eligibility years because of the pandemic.
Burnett already was working at CHC/SEK when she learned of an opportunity to play softball at Pitt State. Her supervisors supported her decision, saying, “Absolutely.”
She wanted to study business to eventually become a project manager, knowing it would open her up to many opportunities. Working at CHC/SEK gave her the idea of emphasizing health care.
She looks forward to taking courses from CHC/SEK President and Chief Strategy Officer Jason Wesco and CFO Ross Turney, who began teaching healthcare-related business courses for Pitt State this year.
“I’m really thankful they were willing to let me continue my dream of playing college softball,” Burnett said. “It’s something I always wanted to do growing up.”
Playing ball is a family thing: Her dad played baseball at Coffeyville Community College and her siblings played softball and baseball.
Pitt State is also a family thing: Her grandmother, mother, brother, and sister all studied at the university.
“I’m finally a Gorilla; it was my destiny,” Burnett said.
On the field, besides being left-handed, Burnett is unique as one of the oldest on her team. She’s 24, and her friends and teammates call her “Granny.”
“I’m learning all the time from everybody here, and then when I go out on the field, I get to be that person who has wisdom,” she said.
She lets the younger athletes know that it’s okay to fail when they strike out or make errors.
“Softball is not just about how you perform; it’s also about how you respond to how you perform,” she said.
She loves it here.
“I want to stay in Pittsburg,” she said. “I love the community support. It’s incredible, especially with Pitt State. You see Gorillas everywhere.
“You see businesses and people come out to support student-athletes. Not just financially supporting, but they come to the games and truly want to see us succeed.”
Learn more about the new MBA: Healthcare Administration emphasis.