From Classroom to Boardroom

Savannah McLain entered the workforce with a strong sense of purpose and a deep commitment to impact. As an elementary teacher in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, she spent her days analyzing data, solving problems and driving meaningful outcomes. Over time, she began to recognize her abilities and aspirations extended beyond the classroom.

“I reached a point in my career where I knew I was capable of more but also was hit with the realization that I didn’t yet have the language, tools or exposure to fully step into that next level,” Savannah said.

For McLain, the decision to pursue a Full-Time MBA felt like the right path to take.

“In all honesty, at the time pursuing an MBA felt like a leap, but also like the most intentional investment I could make in myself,” she said.

Baylor’s Full-Time MBA stood out because of its focus on early career professionals and its openness to non-traditional backgrounds.

“It’s really what drew me to Baylor specifically because I wanted to be in an environment that saw the potential in my experience,” Savannah said.

A Foundation Built Through Experience

Savannah earned her undergraduate degree in education from Abilene Christian University before beginning her career in the classroom. 

“That experience shaped me in ways I’ll carry with me forever,” she said. “It taught me how to lead with empathy, stay calm under pressure and adapt quickly when things don’t go as planned.”

As she grew in her role, she found herself increasingly drawn to the analytical side of teaching.

“I was constantly looking at student data, trying to identify trends and building strategies to improve outcomes across the board,” Savannah said.

That curiosity opened the door to new possibilities.

“I started to see that there were opportunities outside of education, especially in business,” she said. “That would allow me to use those same skills in a different context and on a much bigger scale.”

Building Confidence Without a Business Background

Entering the program without formal business training presented early challenges, but the transition was supported by the program’s structure and community.

“Coming from a non-business background was intimidating at first. There’s no way around that,” Savannah said. “Imposter syndrome was very real for me in the beginning!”

Those early moments quickly gave way to understanding and confidence.

“The program is so intentionally designed to support you through that transition,” she said. “The faculty here truly care about the success of students, and they don’t just teach concepts, they make them make sense in the context of the real world.”

Peer collaboration also played a vital role.

“We lean on each other constantly, and that collaboration helped me build confidence faster than I ever expected,” Savannah said.

Over time, her perspective shifted.

“I stopped seeing my background as something that put me behind and started seeing it as something that set me apart,” she said.

Clarifying Direction and Career Goals

As Savannah progressed through the MBA, she gained clarity around her interests while receiving career development guidance from Baylor’s Career Center team.

“When I started the program, I knew I loved data and problem-solving, but I didn’t fully understand what that could look like for me in a business setting,” she said.

Career coaching helped her translate her experience and articulate her story with confidence.

“They really helped me understand and tell my story,” Savannah said. “Coming from education, I had to learn how to translate my experiences in a way that resonated with business employers.”

Throughout the process, support came from multiple directions.

“I have always felt supported, prayed over, encouraged and pushed in the best way,” she said.

Learning Through Experience and Community

Some of the most formative moments of Savannah’s MBA came through shared experiences beyond the classroom and the MBA community.

“One of the most impactful parts of the program was the people,” she said.

Cohort connections were deepened through professional and international travel.

“Two experiences that really brought that to life were our cohort trips to New York and Santiago, Chile,” Savannah said.

The New York trip provided exposure to professional environments and new aspirations.

“Being in those rooms, hearing firsthand about different career paths, and seeing what success can look like at that level pushed all of us to think bigger about our own goals,” she said.

Chile offered a different kind of learning.

“It challenged me to think more globally and to better understand how culture and business practices intersect,” Savannah said.

Those experiences strengthened both professional growth and personal connection.

“I didn’t just grow professionally but truly grew alongside a group of people who challenged and supported me every step of the way,” she said.

Leading With Purpose and Integrity

One of the defining aspects of Savannah’s experience has been Baylor’s emphasis on purpose‑driven leadership.

“The program really challenged me to think deeply about not just what kind of leader I want to be, but why,” she said.

Exposure to Baylor faculty reinforced those lessons in daily practice.

“It’s about creating an environment where people feel valued, heard and empowered to do their best work – the very thing I see displayed daily from faculty here at Baylor,” Savannah said.

Looking ahead, Savannah says that grounding will remain central to how she leads.

“This whole perspective has grounded me, and it’s something I know I’ll carry with me throughout my entire career,” she said.

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