Better Together: Married couple embraces OSU MBA journey from Tulsa to Vienna
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Media Contact: Hallie Hart | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-1050 | hallie.hart@okstate.edu
Chris and Nicole Neil toured a majestic castle in a forest as part of their 10th wedding anniversary gift to each other.
The Tulsa couple also studied the business landscape of three Central European countries, bonded with classmates and delivered presentations for a grade.
Although the 10-day journey conveniently fell just before their anniversary in late May, this was no ordinary romantic getaway.
The Neils embarked on this adventure because they’re pursuing MBAs from Oklahoma State University. Led by MBA director Dr. Matt Bowler, they traveled with fellow Spears School of Business graduate students on a study abroad program to Vienna, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Budapest, Hungary.
“It was more than worth it,” Chris said.
The Neils relied on careful budgeting and family support to make this experience happen. It takes strategic planning to even fit study sessions into their schedule.
That’s because Nicole and Chris are full-time working professionals and parents of two young children.
Thanks to OSU’s flexible MBA program, they’re also students embracing new opportunities to grow together.
The Neils strive to be lifelong learners. Nicole, who changed career paths in adulthood, wants to set an example for their 5-year-old daughter and 20-month-old son as the kids grow up.
“I would want them to know that it’s never too late to start over,” Nicole said. “I’m 33, which isn’t old, but it’s not young, either. I’m not fresh out of undergrad school, but here I am with them as littles, in the trenches of parenthood — we’re working, and we’re pursuing our MBAs. We’re on a health journey as well.”
From late nights of homework to 8-hour overseas flights, Chris and Nicole aren’t tackling any adventure alone.
An unexpected love story
Nicole Dust and Chris Neil met as Broken Arrow High School students playing miniature golf on a double date.
They were each paired with someone else.
Although they didn’t click with their original dates, they bonded with each other. More than a decade after their humorously unexpected beginning, the high school sweethearts are best friends.
Nicole said she appreciates Chris’ calm patience. Chris admires Nicole for being “quirky” and laughing at herself.
As MBA students, they’re each other’s biggest cheerleaders and friendly rivals.
“He’s really smart,” Nicole said. “He’s stiff competition.”
Nicole challenges Chris, too.
“If she completes the paper, then I’m like, ‘Well, I wish I had my paper completed,’ Chris said. “So, I’ll quickly try and work on mine to catch up to her as well.”
With so much in common, the Neils motivate each other as classmates, parents and co-workers.
Chris and Nicole are both financial analysts at Verizon. Despite their matching job titles, neither started in business.
In 2015, Nicole graduated from Northeastern State University. She majored in psychology with a criminal justice minor, working part time at a law office.
Chris studied filmmaking at Tulsa Community College before obtaining his bachelor’s degree in management from Spears Business. He met a Verizon representative at an OSU career fair, leading to an internship, and has spent the past decade with the company.
Nicole, meanwhile, pivoted from law to finance. After gaining eight years of business experience, she landed her Verizon position this January.
With tuition coverage from Verizon, the Neils saw a prime opportunity to further their education and sharpen their business skills at OSU.
“I started wanting to earn my MBA because I wanted to grow my career and continue in the finance industry,” Nicole said.
Knowing not to overload their schedules, they’re taking one class at a time.
“We were both in agreement, ‘Let’s take it very slow,’” Chris said. “‘Let’s at least get the ball rolling on it.’’”
Housed in the Watson Graduate School of Management, OSU’s MBA program allows students like the Neils to customize schedules that fit their career paths and busy lives.
Chris is in the fully online MBA program, which has soared to No. 11 in U.S. News & World Report’s national rankings. He’s also pursuing the online business analytics and data science graduate certificate.
Nicole is in the Tulsa-based hybrid professional MBA program, blending online classes and in-person meetings. Last semester, the Neils had an online course together.
“When you’re doing only one class a semester, it is much more manageable with having such a busy life of working full time and having kids,” Nicole said. “I don’t feel like it’s added so much extra stress. Obviously, any graduate degree will be time-consuming, but it’s not unbearable at the rate we’re going.”
The Neils have figured out a balance that works with their schedule. Instead of watching lectures during the day, they often wait until their kids go to bed at 8 p.m. Then, it’s time to focus on class together, read and post in online discussion boards.
Other times, they use family activities as motivation to finish homework earlier. If every assignment is done, then the reward might be getting ice cream with the kids.
The busy Tulsa residents get the best of both worlds. They can pursue their MBAs remotely without frequent trips to Stillwater, yet they also have in-person bonds with classmates because of their shared study abroad experience.
Taking a class in Central Europe wasn’t something they expected to do, but since the day they met, serendipity has been on the Neils’ side.
‘Vienna waits for you’
Chris figured Nicole was joking.
At first, he was right. When Nicole told her husband about an opportunity for Spears Business graduate students to study in Central Europe through the Center for Advanced Global Leadership and Engagement, she didn’t realistically think they would go. With two kids and full-time jobs, how would they find the time?
Instead of completely dismissing the idea, Nicole couldn’t get a certain song out of her head.
When the Neils enrolled in the MBA program last year, Nicole often listened to “Vienna,” one of Billy Joel’s classic tunes.
“When will you realize Vienna waits for you?” Joel sings, reminding listeners they don’t have to rush to figure out everything in their youth. Their time will come.
After changing careers and deciding to improve her life in multiple ways, Nicole connected deeply with those lyrics. She also deemed Vienna a bucket-list destination.
Naturally, when Bowler announced the Central Europe study abroad locations, Nicole was in awe.
“That was what made me really push it,” Nicole said. “Having listened to ‘Vienna’ and having it resonate with me for so long, I almost made it the motto of my MBA.”
The pieces fell into place. Nicole’s parents offered support, staying with the kids for 10 days so she and Chris could enroll in the once-in-a-lifetime graduate course.
For the first time, the Neils left North America.
A CAGLE study abroad experience is not a leisure trip, but an immersive class. From visiting Vienna’s United Nations headquarters to seeing robots efficiently assemble Volkswagen parts, the Neils were constantly learning. Each student delivered a business-centric presentation for 15-20 minutes, and Chris wrote a 10-page paper to count toward his BAnDS certificate.
At the same time, the students enjoyed tourist experiences they might have never had without the MBA program. Walking through the restored rooms of the medieval Červený Kameň Castle (Red Stone Castle), tasting fine wine and singing karaoke in Slovakia gave the Neils a 10th anniversary to remember. They celebrated with classmates, once strangers, who are now their friends.
The Neils returned with a stronger love for international travel, something they hope to share with their daughter and son.
“I see myself, whenever they go to college, encouraging a study abroad trip because I really got so much out of it,” Chris said. “Honestly, I wish I would have done one sooner, and I want to do more.”
When the timing works to travel abroad again, whether for a class or a family vacation, the Neils can take the opportunity. There’s no set timeline.
The couple approaches the MBA program in a similar way. Instead of holding themselves to a strict graduation date, the Neils are all about steady progress.
Vienna waits for you.
“It feels like it’s going to be worth it,” Chris said. “We see the end goal of it, even though it’s going to take a while. We’re really excited to get our MBAs.”
Visit the website to learn more about OSU’s highly ranked MBA program and see which pathway aligns with your plans.