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Accelerated degree program at Cleary ideal for MSP power couple

“I had two big motivators for returning to school after 15 years,” reports Fahad Qureshi, first lieutenant and Flint post commander for the Michigan State Police (MSP). “The first was my wife, Sarah (Krebs), who was going back to school, too, and encouraged me to complete Cleary’s MBA program with her. The second was Cleary. I was impressed at how well-designed and structured the leadership degree program was. I could balance my personal and professional life along with my studies, and receiving a reduced tuition rate as a first responder was very appealing,” he finds.

“I always had planned to get my master’s, and Cleary made it convenient, flexible and attainable,” Qureshi points out. “And I had a study partner, which was an added bonus!” he laughs.

“People told me I was crazy to undertake my MBA while working full-time and raising three young children,” says Qureshi’s wife, Sarah Krebs, who serves as Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the MSP. When she heard about the partnership between Cleary and the MSP, offering first responders an accelerated degree completion program, “it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” she reports.

“I had been dreaming of going back to school for 22 years. This was the time! I was closing in on 25 years with the MSP and retirement, and I started looking at the future job market. An MBA definitely would give me an advantage,” she finds.

Balance was key to the couple’s success. “We needed good time management, and working together, we were able to keep each other on track with assignments,” Krebs notes. “We found a cycle that worked even though there were times when I had a child on my lap while I was studying!

Krebs and Qureshi started school at the same time, they were in the same cohort, they worked on school projects together, “we bounced ideas off each other, and I enjoyed having at home support,” Qureshi adds.

He admits that the coursework was challenging, “but the curriculum schedule design was streamlined, making it achievable. I am in a leadership position with the MSP, and having an opportunity to hear different perspectives and viewpoints on a variety of leadership issues was fascinating and beneficial. I was able to implement some of these ideas into my work with the MSP.”

“I found the professors were accessible and helpful, the cohort of fellow students were easy to work with, and Fahad and I had a buddy system that worked well,” Krebs points out.

“I have been recommending Cleary to many of my fellow officers,” says Qureshi. I tell them the program is doable, it is designed for success, and you can work and go to school. Sarah and I did it. We both work full-time in leadership positions, we are raising three young children who are active in sports, and we found time to study and earn our MBAs in a little over one year. Just get it done!” he asserts.

“Thanks to Cleary, my future is looking brighter,” Krebs finds. “Receiving my MBA from Cleary was one of the proudest moments in my life. I did better in my MBA program than I did in my entire educational career! I graduated with honors!”

On commencement day at Cleary, Krebs posted this message on her Linkedin page:

“When they say, ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you,’ or, ‘that’s going to be too hard on you,’ … I say, ‘DO IT!’ And today I walked at my commencement ceremony for my MBA in Leadership with academic honors. I did all of this with three children under the age of 12 and in three different schools, a foreign exchange student, a full-time job, two part-time jobs, running a nonprofit, a promotion at work, a husband who took a promotion and a job transfer (and he was completing his MBA at the same time). 

“It’s all about teamwork! If WE can do this … anyone can!!”

Cleary University Pathways to Completion Program

“It has been a dedicated vision of Cleary University to create programs that specifically meet the needs of workplaces and civic organizations who are searching for ways to help their employees achieve their professional goals,” announces Alan Drimmer, PhD, president of Cleary. “Our Degree Completion Pathways program is an answer.”

Dr. Drimmer and Detroit Police Chief James White originally designed the program for Detroit Police Department personnel to complete their bachelor’s or master’s degrees quickly, easily, affordably and conveniently. This fall marks the beginning of year #4 for the program. To date, more than 600 Detroit police officers and staff have earned a degree from Cleary through this program.

Chief White’s goal was to invest in the future of the Detroit Police team, and retain and attract the best of the best in their profession by offering an opportunity to further their education.

“Cleary University truly has been a game changer for the Detroit Police Department,” says Chief White. “To equip our officers with the proper education to do their jobs as effectively as possible is of utmost importance to the Detroit Police Department and the community we serve. The honor and privilege of wearing a badge means we have, and operate with, policing excellence, and the foundation of that excellence is education,” Chief Whites announces.