If the Texas Tech Legacy club had a president, Carolyn “Susie” Heinrich would be it.
Heinrich is the mom of three children who have six degrees from Texas Tech University, three from the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business – her oldest son earned his bachelor’s from the university, his MBA from the Rawls College, and his doctorate in medicine from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; her middle son earned his BBA from the Rawls College; and her daughter (the youngest) earned her bachelor's and master’s in accounting from the Rawls College.
As a bonus, her daughter-in-law holds two Texas Tech degrees, including one from the Rawls College, and her future son-in-law is also a Rawls College graduate.
It all began in 1987 while Heinrich attended Texas Tech to complete prerequisites for physical therapy school. While cheering on the Red Raiders at a basketball game, she met her now husband, who earned his agricultural economics degree and his law degree from Texas Tech. He proposed at her dorm, Stangel Hall.
Finding the Missing Piece
Texas Tech holds a special place in her life – it’s just home, she says – but the family’s legacy had a missing piece.
“I was the only one in my immediate family that did not have a degree from Texas Tech,”
she said.
Heinrich graduated physical therapy school in 1991 from UT Southwestern Medical Center
in Dallas, Texas, and in the 30 years that followed she had a successful career as
a physical therapist and a busy, beautiful life raising three children with her husband.
“Every time the family would go back to campus for a sporting event, I’d be singing the fight song, knowing I am a Red Raider, but feeling like I was missing out because I didn't have that degree,” she reflected.
The first piece of the puzzle fell into place in February 2023 during a pivotal conversation with her daughter. At the time, Heinrich served as the general manager for a health club in Amarillo, Texas. Early on in her role, as she tried to manage 30 employees and understand the company’s financials, she realized her physical therapy background could benefit from a formal business education.
“I would reach out to my daughter, Catherine, and ask if she could help me, and she's like, ‘Mom, you know I charge a lot of money for that – like, this isn't free,’” she said, laughing. “She was actually very encouraging – ‘Mom,’ she said, ‘You are so smart. You could go back and get your degree.’”
It was a puzzle piece Heinrich hadn’t considered before, but in the back of her mind self-doubt lurked. She thought she was too old to go back to school.
A Lightbulb Moment
The final piece of the puzzle presented itself a few months later when Heinrich heard Margaret Williams, Ph.D., dean of the Rawls College, give a presentation about the college’s Professional MBA (PMBA) program.
“The light bulb didn’t just come on, it was going off – it sounded exactly like what I was looking for but I was still thinking, I'm in my 50s…I can't imagine going back to school,” she recalled. “After the presentation, I introduced myself to the dean and gave her my background. She immediately said, ‘You are exactly the type of student that would be perfect for the PMBA program.”
Less than a week later, Heinrich submitted her transcripts to the Graduate Programs Office. By the weekend, she was sitting in her first PMBA lecture.
More Than a Degree
That was only the beginning of the opportunities the program would provide. Before graduating in 2025, pursuing the PMBA opened a new door for her to become the director of operations for the non-profit, Rae of Sunshine.
“Their board was looking for somebody who had a physical therapy background who could also understand the business aspects, and somebody I knew on the board told them I was a physical therapist and that I was going back to school to get my MBA,” she said. “If it wasn't for having both of my degrees, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to be considered for this role I’m in now.”
Career advancement is only one reason Heinrich encourages to return to school, regardless of age or life stage.
“I know there are people who are working full-time, raising families, who think they don't have time, who think they’re too old and can make up all these excuses not to go back, because I was one of them,” she admits. “But this is a really well thought out program that offers real opportunities in learning, building connections, and advancing your career. Don't let time or doubt stand in your way and don’t let fear hold you back. It's never too late to invest in yourself and in your future. It’s worth it.”
Q&A
How did you integrate your coursework into your work/life schedule?
Heinrich: The program has great flexibility for someone working full-time or who has a family or other responsibilities – you can continue to manage a job and balance your life while you’re taking classes.
I could go to work 8 to 5, and after I could focus on class. The faculty do a good job of providing syllabi that lets you know deadlines in advance so you can structure your whole week and balance out your schedule.
Why was the program’s format the right choice for you?
Heinrich: I really loved the hybrid format of the PMBA program where you are in person, sitting in lecture with other students in your cohort, one weekend each month and then the rest of the time you’re on your own. I have employees who have done all their classes online and I'm like, I can't imagine. I think it was great to have both.
The program also has a very well-rounded curriculum and provides a good, strong foundation of all the key areas of business. I came from the medical field, so all business was foreign to me, but the very first weekend there you are learning statistics, accounting, and leadership and ethics.
How would you describe the support you’ve received from faculty, advisors, or staff?
Heinrich: Incredible. Once again, I was an older student – we didn't have computers when I was in school the first time – and my very first class was statistics. We had an exam, online, due before midnight. So, I get logged in and I answer the first question, then I press submit.
And nothing else came up. I was like, where's the next question? I was panicking – oh, oh, oh, oh my gosh, what did I do?! So, I emailed Dr. Walden – it was probably 1130 at night – and by the grace of God, he responded.
He said, nope, there's only one question. You're good.
I was so thankful that he responded because I would not have slept at all that night.
Another time, Dr. Dass spent part of a Sunday on a Zoom call with me, helping me understand data analytics.
Not only are the faculty great, but the staff are also very supportive. Online books weren’t conducive for my type of learning – you know, I’m old school…I needed to highlight – so they got me hardbacks.
Everyone throughout the program is incredibly supportive, and they understand you're working and how busy you are outside of the classroom.
How quickly did you benefit from the coursework in your job or business?
Heinrich: Aside from helping to advance my career by affording me the opportunity to work in my current role, I remember applying what I learned in one of the first classes I took before the class was even over.
I had an issue with a male member who was harassing one of the young employees. A woman having to have that kind of conversation with a man can be really challenging. Thanks to what I learned in the leadership and ethics course, I had already established a code of conduct and with that and the leadership skills we were learning at the time, I had the confidence to address the situation.
Did you have classmates who made a significant impact on your experience?
Heinrich: That’s another thing I thought was really good about the PMBA program – early on they have you working in groups. Group work is important because it prepares you for work environments - you're going to work in teams with people of all ages at your job. In one of my groups, there was a man about my age and others who were my kids’ ages, mid- to late-20s – very applicable to my own job and for anyone working in the real world. Sure, it could be challenging trying to work around people's schedules but, for the most part, the professors give you enough time to do that.
Working in groups, though, is where you also find camaraderie – whether you’re working together online or in person. It was through the groups that I was able to form relationships and have someone else to talk about class, you know, being able to say, So, finance – what did you get in lecture? Even though the program is mostly online, it was nice to know you weren’t alone.
My cohort classmates looked forward to seeing each other for the in-person part and even though we were all apart, we still had a strong connection. We still do – we have a group chat where we share pictures of happenings in our lives!
What surprised you most about the PMBA experience?
Heinrich: I learned that I love learning! I didn't realize it before because I was so busy working and raising kids, but I actually do love learning. This program will challenge you, and in the process, it truly builds you up and makes you better. I can confidently say that I know the pride that you get for accomplishing something that is so difficult.