Kara Holding, OMBA '26
Kara Holding, OMBA ’26, has been interested in business since childhood. She comes from a family of accountants and always had an affinity for math and science. Now, she is capitalizing on her strengths and continuing the family legacy as a third-generation certified public accountant.
After earning her degree in accounting from Miami University and getting her CPA license, Kara gained valuable work experience at Deloitte before moving into her current position at Nestlé. Kara had always envisioned earning her MBA to enhance her leadership skills and gain more in-depth knowledge of how businesses function, but she knew she needed the right program to do it.
Choosing Michigan Ross
When researching MBA programs, Kara had a specific list of qualities that were important to her: maximum flexibility, reputable program, and strong alumni connections. She discovered that the Ross School of Business Online MBA Program encompassed all of these qualities and would be the best option to set her up for success.
“I knew I wanted an online program because I wanted to keep working, but I was also looking for a school that was close enough that I could drive to if needed. Since I live in Ohio, it was easy for me to get to Michigan,” Kara said. “Plus, Michigan Ross has such a great reputation, and it was obvious that the online program is just as strong as their other programs, which is not something I found at other schools.”
One of the OMBA Program’s standout features for Kara is the digital studios.
“The studios are amazing,” Kara said. “Of course, I appreciate the great quality when we’re on Zoom, but seeing the studio in person during Welcome Weekend made me realize the magnitude of it. The technology is so impressive.”
Kara says that she has found the online learning experience to mirror in-person classes so closely that there is virtually no distinction between the two — feeling the same connection with her classmates and professors even though they are not physically in the same location.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well the professors engage everyone in class. It’s a very interactive experience with open discussions and breakout sessions. You get to know people on a personal level and feel part of a team. This community is so strong.
Maximizing Flexibility
Kara says she appreciates the flexibility of the Michigan Ross OMBA Program and has integrated it well into her professional and personal life.
“The flexibility has been so nice. I got married this year, and I was able to take a term off so that I could focus on the wedding,” Kara said. “The program has been so helpful in allowing me to manage everything I have going on; it has fit perfectly into my life.”
Learning Online and In Person
When Kara started the program, one of her goals was to gain a better grasp of all aspects of business, something she’s been able to do through courses that have expanded her knowledge base beyond her accounting skill set.
“I’ve already used a lot of what I’ve learned in my data analytics class — like power query and DAX language and applications in Excel — in my career,” Kara said. “That has been a major benefit of the program for me.”
As part of the Ross curriculum, Online MBA students come together for three in-person residencies throughout the program to develop leadership skills, gain actionable tools, and build high-quality relationships with faculty and peers. For Kara, the innovation residency has been a highlight of her time in the program.
“The residencies are great opportunities to come together with the people you’ve been in class with online and learn from them in person,” Kara said. “Everyone is very impressive, and I enjoyed hearing about their experiences because they are all so different. It's been really interesting and has helped me gain new perspectives.”
Sharing Advice for Future Students
Kara shares this with students considering joining the Michigan Ross Online MBA Program:
“Michigan Ross really gives you the best of both worlds — it’s a well-known, rigorous program, but it also gives you control and flexibility over your schedule and workload. Although it’s a difficult program, it’s very doable.”