House of Hope

As the executive director of a nonprofit organization that provides faith connections and mental health services, Mount Mercy University was in many ways an obvious choice for Amy Guardado to pursue a graduate degree.

In addition to her alignment with Mount Mercy’s mission statement and values—providing service to those in need—Amy had already become familiar with the school through campus events such as the Women in Leadership Speaker Series. Plus, her sister received her undergraduate degree from Mount Mercy.

“Multiple reasons have brought Mount Mercy back into my focus at various times in my life and I have a lot of respect for the school,” Amy said. “So, when I decided to pursue my master’s, I immediately thought about Mount Mercy. They have a great system with their master’s program that works well with my work schedule and my life.”

That work schedule involves her role as executive director at House of Hope in Cedar Rapids, which provides therapy services for men, women, and families. In operation for more than 20 years, House of Hope serves about 120 people per week through therapy, classes, and its resident program for women.

Amy saw Mount Mercy’s Master of Strategic Leadership (MSL) program as the perfect fit for her to refine and grow her leadership skills at a pace that would not disrupt her life. She began the program in August of 2023 with plans to finish in August of 2024.

“The master’s program at Mount Mercy directly connects with my role here not only in leadership but also in seeking out opportunities for our organization to grow within the community,” Amy said. “Nonprofit work relies on community connections, partnerships, and the growth of my leadership, so I need to understand how to go about that the best way that I can.”

Mount Mercy’s MSL program has helped foster that understanding. Once she dove into the program, Amy said she made connections in the classroom and developed an increased appreciation of how to maximize her leadership potential.

“I have enjoyed how I’m able to mix in my work experience with the opportunities that the instructors have offered,” Amy said. “I’ve had a couple of classes where I’ve been exposed to several guest speakers. It not only provided connections that are relevant to my work and my degree, but it also broadened my perspective on the skills I need to develop. If I had not been in the master’s program, I wouldn’t have been exposed to any of this.”

“The master’s program at Mount Mercy directly connects with my role here not only in leadership but also in seeking out opportunities for our organization to grow within the community.”
– Amy Guardado '24 MSL

Amy credits Mount Mercy with helping to set her up for academic success.

“The graduate center staff at Mount Mercy has really gone over and above to make my experience a positive one,” she added. “Clearly, they did everything that they could to make the process as smooth as possible.”

Amy said she is the type of person who enjoys a challenge and thrives under the demands associated with graduate work. She said her experience at Mount Mercy is something that would be useful for professionals at any stage in their career.

“Whether you’re looking at the MBA program or the MSL, it’s a great way to continue your education and still fit it into a busy schedule,” Amy added. “This includes whether you are a senior executive or considering an industry shift.”