UPDATE: Today Gardner serves as director of outpatient programs at Coliseum Center for Behavioral Health (Coliseum Medical Centers). The center provides day treatment (partial hospitalization) to working professionals for mental health (anxiety, depression, trauma, etc) and addiction.

Published in WESmag Summer 2009

Sandra Gardner earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Wesleyan College and a master’s of marriage and family therapy from Mercer University before enrolling in the Wesleyan Executive MBA Program. Although quite successful as a licensed marriage and family therapist, Sandra wanted to strengthen her business acumen.

“I chose the Executive MBA Program at Wesleyan because of the great experience I had as an undergraduate student at Wesleyan. I already knew about the quality of the education offered and the personal attention. The logistics of the Executive MBA Program were ideal. The weekend classes allow full-time working professionals the opportunity to accomplish the program without major lifestyle changes or sacrifices. The EMBA Program gave me a strong foundation in business. I feel more marketable and prepared to pursue other careers.” 

“But for me,” said Sandra, “the international study abroad was the most amazing experience both educationally and personally. It was the culminating event that made earning the MBA rewarding and fulfilling.”  

Sandra has worked with The Methodist Home for Children & Youth since 1992. As the Clinical Director, Sandra provides direct services as a therapist and performs clinical administration. “We provide outpatient mental health services to children, adults, and families plus all related supplementary services,” she said. “We have to be innovative and ensure we stay on the cutting edge of services offered because of the changing and volatile climate of the social services field.”  

“What I gained through the EMBA Program has been quite valuable. The curriculum offers stimulating challenges particularly with independent thinking, group work, public speaking, and study of academic areas I had previously not had extensive exposure to. I developed a mature and rewarding rapport with professors. Through the relationships with my fellow students, I gained a network of diverse and skilled professionals from many different fields and areas of expertise.”