Graduate Comments

Dale Burrows
Marietta, Georgia
MBA 1997
Summa Cum Laude
1999 Outstanding CNU Graduate

Mr. Dale Wayne Burrows entered California National University for Advanced Studies in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a minor in Data Processing Management from Northern Arizona University. Deemed “one of the most dedicated, intelligent, and hard-working students I have ever encountered” by his CNU Financial Professor, Mr. Burrows graduated from CNU, Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 G.P.A. with a Master of Business Administration in March 1997.

Mr. Burrows wanted instructors who had real-life experience, and that’s what CNU offered him. He also liked the fact that he could study at home, at his own pace, and use the internet for communication.

CNU’s faculty was extremely impressed with Mr. Burrow’s Master’s Thesis. His topic was “Information Systems for Sales and Marketing: Client Asset Management System.” He demonstrated superior scholarship in the way he developed his proposal, created a database through survey and reported his findings. His project used technology already in place, which was very important to the executives reviewing it.

“My degree has given me the credentials required of an individual consulting with hospitals which spend millions of dollars. The hospital environment views credentials very seriously. My graduate degree from CNU has been very beneficial.”

Craig Smoothey
Kenya, East Africa
Master of Science in Engineering, 1999
Magna Cum Laude
2000 Outstanding CNU Graduate

When Mr. Craig Owen Smoothey enrolled in California National University’s Master of Science in Engineering degree program, it was not the first time he had earned a degree through distance education. He had already earned a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology through distance learning and a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering. Craig’s goal for continuing his education was to expand his working knowledge of computer theory and practice so he could gain the necessary skills to excel in the field. He graduated from CNU Magna Cum Laude in July 1999.

Working as a Systems Analyst for the Kenya Christian Industrial Training Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, Craig describes his work as entailing “a lot of community uplifting for some of the poorest people one could imagine.”

Craig believes that his CNU program has contributed to his success because it has given him a firm foundation in computer engineering and has strengthened his determination to succeed in the face of adversity. He also says that earning his degree has helped him with students and curriculum development at the college where he works.

“Now I can approach my tasks with the knowledge and skills to deliver products that not only meet requirements, but also demonstrate good engineering.”

Barend Albertze de Jongh
Pretoria, South Africa
Master of Business Administration, 2000
Summa Cum Laude
2001 Outstanding CNU Graduate

Mr. Barend de Jongh entered the CNU MBA program after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. When he enrolled at California National University he was employed by the Department of Public Affairs at the South African High Commission in Nairobi. During the course of his studies he was promoted to Assistant Director in the Directorate: Consular and Agency Services where he is responsible for policy formulation and implementation and strategic planning for this business unit. Barney believes that his CNU program has contributed to his success because it taught him to analyze a problem and then to apply the valuable tools of scenario and strategic planning within his unit.

He graduated from CNU Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Business Administration in January 2000. Throughout his studies at CNU his professors noted that he clearly demonstrated mastery of the subject matter and a keen ability to translate the acquired knowledge into practice.

“The recognition from my organization for completing and excelling in my degree program at CNU has lead to a subsequent promotion and the application of my skills in relevant areas. Thanks to the quality and recognized integrity of the CNU program, I not only learnt facts and figures, but real-life implementation skills that have been invaluable in my professional life.”

Antoinette Yazbeck
Al Ain, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Master of Business Administration 2002
Magna Cum Laude, 2003 Outstanding CNU Graduate

Ms. Antoinette Yazbeck enrolled in California National University for Advanced Studies' MBA program with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the American University of Beirut. She graduated from CNU Magna Cum Laude with a 3.79 GPA. She is employed at the Twan Hospital in the UAE as an In-Service Educator.

Antoinette's goal was to develop skills that would enable her to become a more effective manager and to improve the quality of care. As part of her graduation requirements, she researched and wrote a thesis on the topic "A Study of Self-Valued Rewards by Employees and their Perceptions of its Effect on Job Performance, Satisfaction, and Retention."

She extended her studies in her thesis to cover practical steps in dealing with increase in productivity, award and appreciation systems, and better customer service. Antoinette believes she has not only acquired a broader skill set from her studies but has also benefited from CNU's curriculum which gave her a clear approach on how the courses are arranged and the highly professional faculty who gave these courses.

"The CNU program has definitely given me a proper scientific base that will help me in future endeavors and progress in my work. My supervisors are very pleased with my proposals and have confidence that I will pursue the right process and measures to address such issues."

Carol Nelson
Bagley, Minnesota
Master’s of Human Resources Management
Summa Cum Laude
2004 Outstanding CNU Graduate

When Ms. Carol Nelson enrolled in California National University’s Master’s of Human Resources Management program, she was living in Nairobi, Kenya training in Human Resources practices. She found that classes she was taking in the Master’s program helped her to strengthen Kenyan nationals’ ability to lead and influence others.

Carol graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.87 GPA. Her thesis, Barriers to Latino Advancement in Manufacturing Companies, was based on her study to determine what the unseen barrers were to Latino advancement for a large manufacturing company that was interested in helping their Latino employees advance within their company.

Obtaining a Master’s degree has earned Carol an exciting new career opportunity and an outreach role within her local community. Currently, she is working as a Human Resources Coordinator for a construction company, Northstar Materials, Inc. and serves as a volunteer on a community task force that has been commissioned to develop a vision for a small, diminishing community.

“I have been selected to help facilitate the strategic planning meetings for our region which includes seven construction companies in the Midwest. This is an accomplishment that I have been privileged to receive in part because of my degree from CNU.”

Ed Samuels
North Potomac, Maryland
Masters of Science in Engineering
Summa Cum Laude
2005 Outstanding CNU Graduate

Mr. Edward R. Samuels began his program at California National University for Advanced Studies (CNU) to increase his professional knowledge of software development and software engineering.

Ed entered CNU already having earned a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering and continued to expand his knowledge base by graduation from California National University, summa cum laude with a Masters of Science in Engineering and a 3.87 cumulative GPA. His thesis, Designing Secure Hardware and Software, presents a holistic approach to the development of secure hardware, software and network systems.

Obtaining a Masters of Science in Engineering degree has established Ed as a recognized authority and industry expert in Communications, Security Software and Hardware. Currently, Ed works for EMC Corporation and has lectured and taught university-level coursework in the areas of telecommunications, engineering design, software management and networking. He has also applied for several copyrights and patents in engineering.

“At CNU, I found classes, projects, and assessments needed for today’s career in engineering. Working with an outstanding faculty teaching the high tech classes was a valuable experience.”

John David Ritter
Ghana, Africa
Masters of Science in Engineering
Magna Cum Laude
2007 Outstanding CNU Graduate

John’s degree "earned him a promotion in his chosen field."

Distance learning appealed to Mr. John Ritter because he felt he could pursue an advanced degree, which would earn him seniority and financial stability while allowing him to maintain employment. John chose California National University (CNU) to pursue a Master’s degree focused on electrical engineering because of the knowledge and experience of the Faculty and that the program was accredited by a quality national body such as the DETC.

John graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.77 GPA. John began working for Newmont Gold Company as a Senior Mechanical Engineer in 1995. Although for many years he worked as a mechanical engineer he felt he needed to develop a more diverse knowledge in engineering. Through his industrial experience he developed an interest in electrical engineering. In 2004 he took a sabbatical from Newmont and joined a company in British Columbia. In 2006 he earned his degree and was approached by Newmont to take an overseas position in Ghana, Africa, where he was promoted to Processing Technical Superintendent. He has recently moved there and soon will send for his wife and children.

He stated that he plans to pass on his newly gained knowledge to local people who he hopes will improve their quality of life through improving their knowledge.

"I believe CNU has significantly contributed to my increase in knowledge and experience through the guidance of CNU’s highly knowledgeable and professional Faculty. This knowledge gained has been recognized by my current employer, allowing me to be considered for many other opportunities within my employment."

Marie-Eve Sevigny
Matraszentistvan, Hungary
Masters of Science in Engineering
Summa Cum Laude

After moving to Hungary to join her husband, Marie-Eve Sevigny was hired to work for Golder Associates, a leading American/Canadian consulting company. Although she was presented as a risk assessment expert, she knew she needed more education in this field. She was thrilled to find California National University’s Master’s degree program included the courses she needed.

Marie-Eve wished to correct this situation by getting a better understanding of the different components of risk assessment, for instance toxicology and contaminant transport. The CNU’s courses on these topics through distance learning allowed her the flexibility to study
while she was on maternity leave.

Marie-Eve graduated from California National University with a Master of Science in Engineering degree, Summa Cum Laude with a 3.89 GPA. Her graduate project, Comparison and Sensitivity Analysis of AirPathway Contaminant Transport Models Used in Human Health Risk Assessments received commendations from her thesis committee.

“CNU has contributed to my success as my work is more easily recognized when it comes from an engineer with a Masters of Science. With my new degree I could finally become a project manager for the Budapest office of Golder Associates, Ltd.”