Lynandro “DJ” and Chantel Simmons
MBA ‘09
Columbia, S.C.
SWU graduates MBA husband-wife team
As a pharmacy technician for the Army in Columbia, Chantel Simmons felt that a business degree would help her to advance in her career and to enhance her knowledge of keeping up with supplies and the logistics involved with her job.
She explored options for earning a master’s degree, but her mind went back to Southern Wesleyan, where in 2004 she earned a bachelor’s degree. Chantal decided to enter the MBA program there.
Her husband, Lynandro “D.J.” Simmons, noticed her filling out the paperwork to apply at SWU. Being a supervisor for the S.C. Dept. of Motor Vehicles, he seriously considered entering the program as well.
“As a supervisor, we have to make managerial decisions and I felt that the MBA course would give me ideas and help me focus on planning. It gave me a lot of insight on managerial decisions and things of that sort,” D.J said.
“The thing I love about Southern Wesleyan is that a lot of the professors aren’t just coming from the textbook but a lot of them already have experience in business. We all were able to learn from each other instead of just going to the textbook,” Chantal said.
“One thing about Southern Wesleyan is that because of the class size, the teachers can relate with you more as opposed to a big campus where you are basically a number. Here they actually relate with you and you can bond with them,” D.J. said. “You have the opportunity to talk to them not just in class but outside also.”
Like many adult students, the Simmons were faced with a balancing act involving their degree work, family and career obligations.
“We have three teenagers, so it sometimes would put a strain on us. But our kids understand that education comes first. That’s one reason we strive to do what we do, so we won’t only talk the talk but we’ll walk the walk and they will see that,” D.J. said.
“The study group was also wonderful. You are like a family after a while. When my daughter had major surgery, our study group came and loved on us and really helped us out,” Chantal said, adding that she especially appreciates that their classes open with prayer. “Some days you feel like you’re not going to make it or one more thing goes wrong, so I like the fact that we have prayer when we get to class.”
“I love Southern Wesleyan University. I tell my friends that if you want to go back to finish your education, it doesn’t matter how old you are,” Chantal said. “Southern Wesleyan really is a good college with a Christian perspective. We really need to bring a Christian perspective into work. I believe that you don’t have to run over people to get ahead. I thank God for the program.”