Lifelong Learning

For Stefanie Munsterman ’14 MBA, ’17 MSL, education was her path out of poverty. Furthering her education at Mount Mercy University made her non-profit career goals achievable.

“I was a first-generation college student, and I had my daughter when I was 19,” shared Stefanie. “I knew getting my graduate degree was going to be incredibly challenging, so I wanted to find something that was a good fit for me.”

Stefanie was looking for a program that would allow her to work in the social non-profit area. For her, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) offered practical skills that would advance her career.

“I knew what I learned through my MBA would be immediately applicable,” said Stefanie.

"I knew what I learned through my MBA would be immediately applicable." 
– Stefanie Munsterman '14 MBA, '17 MSL

Stefanie has worked in a variety of industries, but her focus has always been bettering the lives of others. She began in psychology—originally thinking she would go further into the field. However, Stefanie felt she could make a bigger impact if she focused her energy somewhere else.

“I wanted to go more on the leadership side to affect more systemic change,” shared Stefanie. “I knew in order to do that I would need credentials to show I know what I’m talking about.”

For Stefanie, the MBA gave her an opportunity to grow her confidence in a variety of skills—including math, a subject she thought she was bad at until her MBA courses. Stefanie began to discover talent she didn’t even know she had.

“Growing up in poverty, you have a limited understanding of what your opportunities might be,” said Stefanie. “Getting here, accomplishing that, and having my kids see that was pretty astonishing.”

Stefanie’s daughters were an important part of her educational journey. Stefanie was asked to speak at her graduation ceremony, and when she looked out into the crowd, she saw her daughters watching.

“It was just extraordinary to have the opportunity to show my daughters that despite life’s challenges, you can do hard things,” said Stefanie.

For Stefanie, returning to Mount Mercy for her Master of Strategic Leadership (MSL) was a no-brainer.

“There is a huge difference between leaders and managers, and I wanted to live that in my day-to-day work,” shared Stefanie.

In both programs, Stefanie enjoyed learning from her industry-expert professors, as well as her fellow classmates.

“I could bring knowledge from my work into the classroom. I also learned so much from my cohort,” said Stefanie.

The knowledge Stefanie gained in business and leadership at Mount Mercy proved useful to her goals to affect systematic change through non-profit work.

Stefanie began working on the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission in 2019 as a Civil Rights Investigator and Mediator. The goal of the commission is to investigate claims of discrimination within the city.

“We continually push civil rights and human rights forward,” said Stefanie.

In March of 2020, Stefanie took over as Executive Director of the commission. In addition to investigating injustice, the commission does significant educational outreach and community building.

“What I consider to be our North Star is helping to build a community of belonging. One in which all residents feel that they can co-create the structures, mechanisms, and policies within our community—that there's a co-agency having that meaningful voice,” Stefanie shared.

Stefanie continues to look for ways to expand her leadership skills and knowledge. She is able to teach others and continue learning from students in her role as an Adjunct Professor at Mount Mercy.

Stefanie has taught Systems Thinking, Conflict Resolution, and developed a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion course.

Stefanie’s advice to current students aligns with Mount Mercy’s value of lifelong learning.

“Always keep learning,” Stefanie encouraged. “Come to every conversation and opportunity with curiosity.”