Family Business
Villanova is well-known for its sense of community and family. For several recent participants in the Executive MBA program, attending Villanova at the same time as their children gives added meaning to the notion.
Jonathan Parker ’22 EMBA and Jameson Parker ’22 VSB Jonathan Parker ’22 EMBA dropped out of high school at age 15 but always knew he wanted to continue his education. He later enrolled in community college and worked odd jobs for a few years. Parker eventually turned a passion for aviation into a 35-year career in business aviation, where he founded several companies in the areas of flight operations, aircraft management and safety. Upon retiring from many of his businesses a few years ago, Parker began to pursue options for completing his college degree. He explains how “despite all my work experience, not having a degree was a piece that was missing.” Parker’s son Jameson was attending Villanova, so Parker looked into the College of Professional Studies (CPS). Parker recalls asking Jameson, “‘It’s not going to be some weird TV sitcom with father and son in college at the same time, but would you mind if I applied to this program at Villanova?’ Jameson was very gracious and told me to go for it.” An adviser suggested he consider an Executive MBA, where he learned the program considers applicants with commensurate work experience. “Within weeks I was accepted, and it was a dream come true. I couldn’t believe it.” Parker and his wife Cheryl purchased an inn in Vermont in 2020, just as the pandemic hit and he was beginning the EMBA program. He was able to instantly apply learnings from the program to his new role as inn owner. “Through the EMBA program, you’re able to understand the conversation that’s happening around you in a more meaningful way,” he says. According to Jameson, “there’s just so much that my dad went through and I’m so proud of him for finishing the degree because I know it wasn’t easy. I really appreciated having him in the area more often and it was nice to bond over our schoolwork.”
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Villanova Business Fall 2022
Parker says, “Having the goal of being able to graduate with my son kept me motivated. I will always be grateful to Jameson for leading me to Villanova; it was a win for both of us.”
