George Fox University | Boise Center | Q & A with Ben Quintana

Ben Quintana
Director, Small Business Success Center (division of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce)
2007 M.A., Organizational Leadership (current student)



Q: What made you decide to pursue the MAOL?
A: I decided to pursue the MAOL program because I wanted to be a better leader. Obtaining a masters degree will allow me to better equip myself with the skills necessary to succeed in our increasingly competitive business world. The MAOL allows me to pursue a degree that is directly applicable to my work responsibilities and career interests. Grad school isn’t cheap, so I didn’t want to waste my time or money on an education I could not immediately use. I was looking for a degree that focused on enhancing my leadership abilities to manage workplace change and build effective teams. In all areas of business and society, great leaders are desperately sought after. I wanted to prepare myself for the much needed demand for effective organizational leaders.

Q: Why did you choose George Fox?
A: I chose George Fox for many reasons. First, George Fox offered this program in a classroom setting with a student cohort model. These factors were critically important to me. George Fox is the only college or university in the Boise area that offers the MAOL in this format. The only other options would be to earn the MAOL through an online program. As great as an online degree may be, I cannot imagine learning how to become a better leader, team player, or a value-added class participant in an online format.

Secondly, George Fox offers the MAOL in a 20 month timeframe designed for working professionals. I, like most people, have a very busy work and personal life, which does not allow for multiple classes during the work week. The MAOL program is designed to allow students to focus on one major course at a time and attend only one night each week (with occasional Saturday classes) for four consecutive hours. This was a major selling point to me.

My third reason for choosing George Fox was because it was rated as a top-tier master’s program in the Northwest. In reviewing my options for a master’s program, I was happy to learn that the George Fox program was rated highest among Idaho colleges and universities. Attending a top-tier program that focuses on a high quality education is extremely important to me.

Last, but certainly not least, I chose to attend George Fox because it’s a Christian-based institution. The main reason this was important to me was the fact that I would receive an education that focused on moral and ethical standards of business and leadership. With all the reports and media exposure on corporate scandals and unethical dealings by countless business leaders, I wanted to learn from an institution grounded in Christian-values and ethical decision making.

Q: What do you like best about your experience so far at George Fox?
A:At this point, I have been extremely pleased with every aspect of my George Fox experience. A few highlights include the direct application of the material learned, the information gained and shared by the students in the cohort model, the timely and insightful business information presented in our courses, and the quality of our instructors.

In my current profession I am constantly leading, directing, managing and working with our staff, the business community, and countless numbers of volunteers. The courses I’ve experienced have increased my understanding of leadership and human development, examples and concepts of transformational leadership within organizations, and the ethical and legal responsibilities of corporate leaders and organizations. By studying current real-world case studies, working in teams to develop recommendations and strategies for improvement, and constantly reading, writing and presenting on key topics of importance I have become a more competent and effective team member and leader in my organization.

In the MAOL program you learn to develop your strengths and abilities through self reflection and learning how to communicate and work with other personality types. This program helps you learn in four distinct ways: gaining greater knowledge of your own strengths and abilities, experience from the direction and guidance of outstanding instructors, reading and studying excellent business content through books, articles, and guest speakers, and the vast knowledge and experience of the classmates around you.

Q: Anything else?
A:Yes, I would recommend this program to the special few who desire to learn more about leadership development through a master’s program. If you or someone else you know is interested in becoming a future leader in your business, organization, or community, then the George Fox University’s Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program is for you! Whether you are the current president and CEO or just an aspiring future leader, you will learn a tremendous amount of useful and applicable information. If you’re looking for a program designed to help you build effective teams, manage organizational change, and become a more informed and effective leader, then look no further than the MAOL program from George Fox.