CASTLE HAYNE — For Kimberly Cuellar of Castle Hayne, the journey to earning her MBA from the University of Mount Olive has been shaped by personal growth, real-world experience, and a steady pursuit of her goals. Set to graduate on May 9, the 22-year-old earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from UMO and is now taking her education and future to the next level.
Cuellar began with an Early College program that enabled her to earn an associate’s degree alongside her high school diploma. She enrolled at UMO in 2021, drawn by its supportive environment and strong business program. After graduating with her bachelor’s in April 2024, she immediately transitioned into the University’s online MBA program.
“The flexibility of the online format has allowed me to maintain my full-time job while still being academically challenged,” Cuellar said. She currently works as a Rental Agent at Baker Automotive Company in Wilmington. She also manages her own Airbnb property—a real-world application of the skills she has gained in the program.
While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Cuellar worked weekends at Costco, commuting between Mount Olive and Wilmington. “That experience taught me a lot about time management and perseverance,” she noted. She later worked as a background actor before landing her current role and launching her Airbnb business, which she credits with giving her hands-on experience in hospitality and customer service.
Her most transformative journey has not just been academic – it has also been personal. “There was a time I felt stuck—physically, mentally, and emotionally,” she shared. After reaching a personal low point, Cuellar committed to improving her health, ultimately losing 60 pounds through disciplined cooking, self-care, and mindset shifts. “That journey showed me I’m capable of long-term change,” she said. “It’s what inspired me to pursue my MBA. If I could do that, I could do this.”
Cuellar’s global outlook also shapes her perspective. A seasoned traveler, she has visited 45 states and countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Canada, Colombia, and Germany. “Travel has broadened my worldview and deepened my desire to one day launch a business that reflects those global influences,” she said.
Her motivation stems from her family—whose sacrifices after immigrating to the U.S. left a deep impression—and from her own commitment to personal and professional growth. “My family’s strength and support inspire me every day,” she said. “I want to make them proud and build a life that reflects their values of resilience and hard work.”
Through the MBA program, Cuellar has gained business knowledge and essential life skills. She especially enjoyed a recent project in MIS 640 that involved building a website and exploring AI technologies. “I’d never created a website before, so that was exciting. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone.”
Cuellar hopes to start her own business one day, and she sees her UMO experience as the foundation. “UMO gave me the confidence to believe in my goals and the tools to begin pursuing them,” she said.
Her advice to students considering UMO’s MBA program is simple: “It’s absolutely doable if you stay on top of your work and communicate with your professors. The program is flexible, but it will challenge you to grow.”
In every chapter of her story—from weight loss to international travel, from Costco shifts to business strategy—Cuellar has turned obstacles into opportunities and dreams into goals. With graduation just ahead, she is not only earning a degree, she is also building a future.
