Marissa Brooks has spent more than three decades helping people heal. As a physical therapist and rehab supervisor at Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, she has built her career on persistence, precision, and genuine care for others. So when an opportunity to grow as a leader presented itself, she did what she always does — she said yes.

In August 2025, just two days before her youngest daughter left for Appalachian State University, Marissa enrolled in Pfeiffer University’s MBA program as part of the Novant cohort, a specialized group of healthcare professionals pursuing advanced business education while working full-time. The timing, she admits, was anything but convenient.

“Not only was my daughter going to college, I was about to go out of town for my fortieth high school reunion,” Marissa laughs. “And then Dr. Luck asked if I wanted to start two weeks early to join the first cohort. What did I say? Yes, of course.”

That willingness to embrace change has defined Marissa’s path. Over the course of her career, she stepped away from clinical work for five years to raise her family and write human interest stories for a local Charlotte paper. She covered nonprofits, advocated for community causes, and discovered a deep love of storytelling before returning to healthcare with new purpose. Now, with her children grown and a leadership role she’s still growing into, the MBA felt like the natural next step.

“I’m doing this so I can be a better leader,” she says. “Everyone asks if I’m trying to open my own business. I’m not. I want to understand why decisions are made, and be better equipped to lead the people on my team.”

Her first course, Change Management, arrived at a moment when change was everywhere in her life: a new role, an empty nest, and the loss of her mother all converging at once. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, Marissa found the coursework grounding. Frameworks like Kotter’s Eight Steps gave language and structure to experiences she was already living through.

“It gave us the science behind the strategy,” she reflects. “And suddenly I was seeing it everywhere, in my personal life and in how we manage initiatives at the hospital.”

Now several semesters in, Marissa looks forward to courses in data analytics and managerial accounting — yes, accounting. “I love numbers,” she says without hesitation. “I want to understand the ‘why’ behind the decisions being made at the top.” For Marissa, the Pfeiffer MBA has been about more than professional development. It’s a statement, to her team, her children, and herself, that learning has no expiration date. “I want to show my team and my children that you can go back to school at any age and get something real out of it,” she says. “This has truly been a gift.”

Whether you’re a seasoned professional ready to sharpen your leadership edge or simply someone who has been waiting for the right moment, Marissa’s story is a reminder that the right time is often right now. To learn more about Pfeiffer University’s MBA program and how it can fit your life and career goals, visit explore.pfeiffer.edu or reach out to our admissions team at gradadmissions@pfeiffer.edu. Your next chapter might be closer than you think.