If you ask college seniors on their graduation day if they ever plan on returning to the classroom, most answer with a resounding “no.” Keifer Lenamond, a Jerry S. Rawls College of Business alumnus and Rawls College Professional MBA (PMBA) student, laughs at the memory of feeling the exact same way before setting his career toward greater horizons.
After earning his Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing in August 2018, Lenamond returned home to the greater Houston area eager to begin his full-time job. He quickly built a professional foundation through a series of sales positions. As his experience grew, so did his ambition. A promotion to strategic planner in his last company, Arcosa, sparked a newfound passion for leadership. Still, he began to recognize certain knowledge gaps, particularly in forecasting and financial strategy.
“After spending a couple months in that role, I realized I really needed to learn more,” said Lenamond. “If I'm going to reach a management position, I need to really understand how management thinks.”
He knew that earning his MBA was the next step forward. For Lenamond, the Rawls College was the clear choice. Beyond the fond memories and valuable lessons from his undergraduate experience, he took note of the many headlines he encountered championing his alma mater’s MBA programs.
“When you look at the value, what I’m paying for at the Rawls College is worth every last dollar,” said Lenamond. “It’s very efficient for what they offer compared to the cost of the program.”
Naturally, it takes a steady routine to balance the life of a full-time corporate professional, hybrid graduate student, devoted husband, and father of two kids. Lenamond relies on staying organized and the program’s flexibility to manage these competing priorities. He says that between bridging gaps and new opportunities, the resulting payoff has been incredibly rewarding.
In August 2025, this shift took him to a new level when he became the national account manager for Kraft Heinz, a door he proudly says would never have opened without pursuing his PMBA.
Q/A
PMBA Experience
What motivated you to start the PMBA program at this stage in your career?
LENAMOND: I was far enough removed from my undergrad that it made sense to go back, because I had built professional experience. I was starting to hit ceilings in my career. I could either stay in sales, or I could advance my career through education by getting an MBA to help me break through those ceilings.
In today's world, you need to do everything you can to set yourself apart from your competition. So it was a natural step. If I really want to get serious and move into these upper-level management positions, potentially even C-suite, I knew I needed to set myself apart. The PMBA was the way to do that.
How would you describe the support you've received from faculty advisors or staff?
LENAMOND: It's been amazing. I would say the best part is that all of the professors understand that we work full time and have families. I travel quite a bit, and I know a lot of my friends in the class travel as well, so the faculty have all been really flexible on due dates. Also, any time I’ve had a question, they're more than willing to jump on a call within 24 hours. It's great. Everyone is very willing to help.
Has pursuing this degree changed the way you think about your own capacity or resilience?
LENAMOND: Absolutely. It’s difficult trying to work a full-time job while also having to study and maintain personal relationships. I didn’t think I could pull it off a few years ago, but I’ve surprised myself that I’ve been able to do it.
How do you integrate your coursework into your work-life schedule?
LENAMOND: You have to be organized and you have to keep a schedule. I know that I have family time from five to six and, since I work from home, it’s easy to go straight from working to cooking dinner or whatever else needs to get done. Generally after work, I go straight into spending time with my family, then the last hour of my night is dedicated to reading, finishing up homework, taking a test, or finishing anything else I need for class. It’s really about segmenting my day to build routine.
How connected do you feel with the Rawls College community despite being mostly online for classes?
LENAMOND: For me, a major priority was to network and learn in person, so the fact that we meet once a month for classes is huge. The hybrid program is just perfect, especially for people that have a full-time job. I've actually created lifelong friends. We have a group of us that just clicked from the start, so through this entire program, we've stayed side by side. We connect, we see each other's families, and we hang out outside of class.
Has the PMBA program influenced your long-term vision?
LENAMOND: It has. I now feel like those director-level or VP-level roles are not just something that I can talk about. Today, having an MBA is like having an undergraduate degree 20-30 years ago. If you look at the organization chart at Kraft Heinz, nearly all of the higher levels have MBAs. Now, I’ll actually be considered for those roles if I continue on this path.
Do you have a personal mantra that keeps you motivated?
LENAMOND: One of my first bosses used to tell me to "Just get 1% better every day." This quote really helps me when work and life start to get overwhelming because it reminds me that I don't need to know or master everything at once and that getting better is a process that takes time. I think this quote has had such an impact on me because it applies to all aspects of my life, not just work or school.
A Glimpse into Mentorship
In addition to working full time and attending graduate classes part-time, Lenamond is also an active volunteer with the Rawls College. He considers his participation in the Rawls Mentorship Program as one way of giving back to the college.
How would you describe your experience mentoring undergraduate students?
LENAMOND: This is actually my second time participating in the Rawls Mentorship Program, and I have really enjoyed the opportunity. It’s been one of the most rewarding ways I’ve found to stay connected to the Texas Tech community after graduating. From classes to career prep, I try to be open about my own experience so they can walk away with real, practical insights, not just encouragement.
What do you aim to provide or instill in your mentees?
LENAMOND: More than anything, I want to give them confidence, especially in those moments when they're unsure which direction their career will take. That uncertainty is normal, and I want them to know that not having it all figured out doesn't mean they're behind.