The Bisk College of Business’ online project management MBA program recently received reaccreditation from the Global Accreditation Center (GAC) of the Project Management Institute (PMI).
In particular, the GAC site visit team highlighted the Project Management Advisory Board’s support and contributions to the program, including members’ participation in student mentorship.
Advisory board member Michael Garvey, an information technology executive and certified Project Management Professional® (PMP) with more than 20 years of experience, has mentored multiple students during his time on the board.
One of his mentees, Michelle Boutron ’23 MBA, is a longtime Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA) who, Garvey says, didn’t originally recognize the benefits a project management degree could bring to her professional career.
“Part of my time with her was discussing the curriculum, how to handle situations in project management and how to connect it to her BCBA business,” he says. “The other portion of our time included working with her on her goals and how to reach them.”
Boutron, who completed her project management MBA while living in Italy, where her husband was stationed with the U.S. Navy for three years, launched a small educational consulting business, Strive! BCS, during her time as a Florida Tech student.
“Initially, I felt overwhelmed. I was drawn to Florida Tech’s 100% online program format, which was ideal while living overseas,” Boutron says. “Additionally, I sought a program that supported entrepreneurs, offering the convenience and flexibility I needed to balance my studies, grow my small business and manage personal responsibilities effectively.”
Garvey mentored Boutron for about 18 months while she earned the MBA, her second master’s degree. As a military spouse often faced with the challenge of starting over every few years that she says can affect self-esteem, morale and career progress, Boutron found Garvey’s mentorship particularly valuable.
“Michael’s guidance helped me stay grounded and set small, achievable goals,” she says. “I’m truly grateful for his advice and support.”
Garvey has since lent his expertise to a new group of Panthers, teaching a Cases in Applied Project Management course during the spring 2024 semester, for which he received stellar reviews on student class surveys.
“He encouraged me to engage in networking opportunities, be authentic and embrace transformative leadership,” Boutron says.
In fact, when Boutron and her family had determined that they would move to Florida after her husband’s retirement in 2024, Garvey even connected her with a local BCBA with whom he served the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council (Central Florida) and who was intrigued by Boutron’s goals and strong industry background.
The Boutrons have since made the move to Florida, where she is focused on growing her company using some of the lessons she learned through her Florida Tech coursework and Garvey’s mentorship.
“Michael’s mentoring has energized me and prepared me to expand my small business. I am eager to participate in in-person, live events and promote the science of behavioral change.”
Michelle Boutron ’23 mba
“Michael’s mentoring has energized me and prepared me to expand my small business. I am eager to participate in in-person, live events and promote the science of behavioral change,” she says.
She is also passionate and eager to dive into diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) consulting and organizational behavior management (OBM), aiming to help organizations improve performance and efficiency while fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
“The most valuable lesson I learned from my mentorship with Michael was to believe in myself and take initiative,” Boutron says. “Additionally, I’m thankful for the quality mentorship and classes I received as part of the Florida Tech MBA program.”
This piece was featured in the spring 2024 issue of The Bottom Line.
