Lana Assadian: I was born and raised in Ganja, Azerbaijan. I was raised in a bilingual family and I speak seven languages, and I am fluent in four of those. I continued my education in Baku, Azerbaijan at Khazar University. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Management in 2009. After completing my undergraduate program, I moved to Nashville permanently. Before moving to the U.S., I worked for multinational companies like Planeta Pharmaceutical and Alba for many years as a General Manager. I have been calling Nashville home since 2009, and have worked professionally for multinational companies here like Toll Group, Vanderbilt University and Sarah Cannon-HCA in Financial Analyst and Information Management positions. 

BMWM: How has your experience led to your current position?

LA: I have been working with computer applications since 1999. I'm not a programmer, but I am an end-user with an understanding of programming languages. Having an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering and Associate Degree in Accounting and Business was another reason that led me to my existing position. I utilize multiple applications and databases on a daily basis since 2000 and have multiple certificates, like Oracle. Also, having a managerial background and being a pro in a high-paced work environment for many years led to current day. However, the biggest encouragement to accept my existing role was one of my Belmont professor Dr. John Gonas. He encouraged and mentored me to continue my career in the field in which I am experienced. Sometimes we young generations needs advice from our professors and teachers to put us on track to move in the right direction. Dr. Gonas, Dr. Loes, Dr. Fowler and many more of my professors motivated and mentored me to stay focused and continue my career.

BMWM: Why did you decide to pursue your MBA?

LA: I have a huge gap between my Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degrees. It took me a few years to decide what degree I wanted to pursue in my graduate program. In 2016, while working at Vanderbilt University, I reached out to my mentors and academic advisors, and they advised me to pursue an MBA because I have a unique and blended understanding of diversity, systems and management.

BMWM: After pursuing education in a different country for undergrad, why did you choose Belmont as the location to pursue higher education?

LA: Great question, made me smile. I have been living in the Belmont neighborhood since 2009 but the slogan From Here to Anywhere captured my attention first. Then, when I reached out to enrollment administration, the staff were very friendly and welcoming. In addition, the university is fully accredited, and I call myself a citizen of the world, so the accreditation and global focus were a few of the main reasons I chose Belmont for my MBA program. The other reasons were the offerings of evening and online classes, focusing academically and real world, being a Christian school at the heart and appreciation of diversity.

BMWM: You have many years of professional work experience in finance. How has an MBA helped you?

LA: Yes, I have 15 years + of work experience, but the MBA taught me organizational behavior, and supply chain processes, and the work on finance cases in the Corporate Finance course was very beneficial. My MBA also helped me build business leadership skills, effective communication skills and pressure handling, and it also helped me broaden my professional network. In five years from now after earning my MBA, I see myself as a knowledgeable professional having an in-depth understanding of the company and industry and excelling in a leadership position. For me, my MBA is not just a degree or diploma; it's my professors, teachers, mentors, faculty and staff who have always been supportive, and my classmates who always showed great teamwork in our course projects. My MBA is a Hope.

Massey undergraduate and graduate alum Barry Boster recently joined Lockton Nashville as a Vice President and Producer. He has worked in healthcare for Cigna, Humana and Mercer for almost 30 years. At Humana, he was ranked in the top 20% of salespeople and sales leaders.

Read more here!

Each year, the Cone Center recognizes 100 businesses started by Belmont entrepreneurs. Do you know an alumni entrepreneur who deserves to be recognized? 

Nominate them HERE! 

Belmont University men's basketball graduate, and Massey graduate alum, Nick Muszynski, has signed a professional playing contract with Enea Astoria Bydgoszcz in Poland, multiple media reports confirmed Friday.

Muszynski told belmontbruins.com he will be teammates with former Michigan point guard Mike Smith.

Muszynski just completed one of the most decorated playing careers in Belmont program history, including being selected to participate in the 2022 NABC Reese's Division I College All-Star Game and the 2022 Portsmouth Invitational.

Upon completion of his eligibility, the 6-11 center ranked 11th among all active frontcourt players in scoring with 1,886 points. His 105 career double figure scoring games ranked second among all active frontcourt players, trailing only Richmond's Grant Golden.

The Pickerington, Ohio native was one of only nine players over the last 30 years with at least 1,800 points, 700 rebounds, 250 assists and 200 blocked shots, and joined the likes of Tim Duncan (Wake Forest), David West (Xavier), Nick Collison (Kansas) and John Wallace (Syracuse) to reach the standard. 

Read more here!