Every college athlete knows the delicate and demanding balancing act required to manage a collegiate athletic career and academics. According to three softball players currently pursuing MBA degrees at the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management—Marissa Burk ’23, ’25, Lauryn Garewal ’23, ’25, and Nadia Witt ’22, ’24—the intensity of is worth it, and the lessons learned in the classroom and on the field are complementary.
“My experiences in athletics have enriched my understanding of teamwork, competition, and the importance of setting and achieving goals, which are fundamental aspects of business success,” says Garewal, who says she will leverage her education contribute to the family business, Nutrishop, in Beaumont, California, along with exploring future entrepreneurial opportunities. “The grit and determination I’ve developed through athletics fuels my drive to succeed in the business world.”
These three graduate students have excelled academically and earned scholarships from the UCR School of Business to earn their master’s degrees, and they’ve each received high honors for their athletic performance. They also credit their coaches, athletic trainers, and academic advisors for making their many commitments work in concert.
“Our coaches and the administrators show unwavering support as we balance our academic pursuits with our athletic commitments. They work tirelessly to ensure our travel schedule and logistical arrangements are meticulously taken care of,” says Burk, whose hometown is Fontana, California, and she is planning a career in human resources.
“The support of both the athletics staff and advisors in the School of Business influenced my decision to pursue my master’s degree at UCR,” says Witt, who is from Keizer, Oregon, and is looking at a management or marketing career in the sports industry. “Everyone cares for us not only as athletes but as people, and they go the extra mile to support us. Advisors from the Student Success Team (advising and career services) kept me on track academically.”
These softball players each credit both now-former head coach Nikki Palmer - who has recently accepted the head coaching position at her alma mater, UC San Diego - and Associate Director of Graduate Admissions Tamra Johnson for providing guiding lights within their student-athlete journeys.
“Coach Palmer’s proactive approach—from scouting me during travel ball to extending invitations for camps and visits—underscored her commitment to fostering strong athlete-coach relationships,” says Burk. “Her open communication style and empathetic demeanor immediately resonated with me, solidifying my admiration for the program.”
“Guidance, encouragement, “and belief in my abilities have instilled in me the confidence to push my limits both on and off the field,” says Garewal. “From the moment I stepped onto the field, my coaches have been incredibly supportive, not only in refining my skills as a softball player, but also in fostering personal growth and development.”
According to Witt, “Tamra Johnson has been a great supporter and had a strong influence on my decision to remain at UCR. The School of Business has even donated to our team, and the Director of Admissions and Recruitment Steve Chen and the Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions Marina Tadros showed up to our team dinner to send us into the 2024 season.”
Burk agrees: “Tamra Johnson helped with navigating the MBA application process. She provided clarity on program structure, academic expectations, and prerequisites, streamlining our application journey,” she says. “The demands of being a scholar-athlete, particularly within a graduate program, presents a formidable challenge. The rigorous schedule inherent in graduate studies, coupled with the commitment required for full-time athletics, amplifies the difficulty.”
Comparing her sports and studies, the discipline, time-management skills, and perseverance to excel in both realms overlap significantly, according to Garewal. “As a scholar-athlete, I’ve learned to balance demanding schedules, prioritize tasks effectively, and stay resilient in the face of challenges.
“Within athletics, I’ve also honed my leadership abilities, communication skills, and ability to work effectively in teams. These are crucial attributes in business, where collaboration, effective communication, and leadership are essential for success.”
Overall Excellence
Burk, Garewal, and Witt have an extensive list of academic and athletic accomplishments and honors:
Marissa Burk ’23, ’25 MBA:
- Dean’s List, fall 2020, winter 2021, fall 2021, winter 2022, fall 2022, winter 2023
- Chancellor’s List, spring 2022
- Public Anthropology Award for Excellence in Writing on Public Issues, Community Action
- Freshman Play of the Week, 2020
- Big West Honorable Mention, 2022
- All-Academic recognition, 2022
Lauryn Garewal ’23, ’25 MBA:
- Graduating with honors
- Dean’s List, spring 2020, fall 2020, winter 2021, fall 2021, fall 2022
- Chancellor’s List, spring 2021, spring 2022
- National Fastpitch Coaches Association Third Team All-Pacific Region, 2022
- All-Big West honorable mention, 2021
- Second Team All-Big West, 2022
Nadia Witt ’22, ’24 MBA:
- Dean’s List, spring 2020, fall 2020 winter 2021, fall 2021
- Chancellor’s List, spring 2021
- Big West Player of the Week
- Member of the freshman team
- Athletic honorable mention awards