When Ada DiYenno graduated from a large university in New Hampshire in 2023 with a degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing, she was eager to keep learning—but she also knew that timing was everything.
“I was tempted to enroll in a graduate program directly out of undergrad but ultimately decided that I would gain more from the experience if I were able to apply my learning directly to my full-time position,” said Ada.
That position is with Hannaford Supermarkets, where Ada serves as a Category Assistant Administrator II. Through Hannaford’s Groceries to Grads program, Ada receives discounted courses and partial tuition reimbursement to continue their education – a benefit she first learned about during her internship with the company.
“It was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” she says.
When the time came to choose a graduate school, Ada explored several options before finding the right fit at Thomas College.
“I had initially attended a handful of information sessions to learn about various programs and offerings,” she said. “When speaking with the admissions team at Thomas, I was confident that their MBA program would be the best fit for me. I was seeking an online program that allowed me to work at my own pace, but I also wanted the opportunity for collaboration and interaction with peers. The Thomas online MBA program has done just that.”
The program’s structure—combining asynchronous coursework with group projects and class discussions—has given Ada the flexibility to manage her career while forming meaningful connections with professors and classmates.
Looking ahead, Ada is focused on using her MBA to strengthen her leadership and strategic decision-making skills.
“I’m looking to deepen my knowledge and skill set and apply my learnings to my career with Hannaford and beyond,” she says. “I would love to lead teams in the future and know that these courses will make an impact on my leadership style and provide me with the necessary tools to succeed.”
This story was originally published in the Fall 2025 Thomas Magazine & Annual Report. View the full magazine.