The Jenkins MRA program is helping Savannah Kittrell connect her military risk experience with a new role in financial enterprise risk management.

Get to Know Savannah

• Program: Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA)
• Program start date: January 2025
• Anticipated graduation date: December 2026
• Current location: Raleigh, N.C.

Life Before Jenkins

• Undergraduate education: Elon, bachelor’s in business administration (finance)
• Full-time work experience: 8 years
• Full-time employers: Bank of America, Truist, U.S. Army, U.S. National Guard, Lynch Consultant, NC State Employees Credit Union
• Industries: Financial services, consulting and military service
• Roles: operations analyst, financial professional, retirement and institutional services direct consulting officer, non-commissioned officer, human intelligence collector, financial analyst, issues management analyst 

Why a Master’s in Risk & Analytics? & Why Now?

What initially sparked your interest in risk management and analytics?

Risk management was part of the conversation in my house growing up. My dad spent most of his career in banking and wealth management and now works as a financial adviser, so I entered finance already thinking about risk. That interest deepened when I joined the Army as a human intelligence collector. Risk assessment and planning were central to the work, and I enjoyed that part of the job.

When I returned to civilian work, I wanted to build a career around those skills. Military experience does not always translate cleanly on a resume, so I saw the MRA program as a way to strengthen my formal qualifications and communicate the value of the work I had already been doing.

“I saw the MRA program as a way to strengthen my formal qualifications and communicate the value of the work I had already been doing.”

What made this the right time to take the next step?

About a year and a half after leaving active duty, I felt I had reached the limit of what I could learn and how much I could grow in my position. I also understood the demands of my civilian job and National Guard service well enough to know I had room for graduate school.

The GI Bill removed much of the financial burden, and I wanted to complete the degree before taking on more family responsibilities. The timing aligned.

Why Jenkins?

Why choose the Jenkins risk and analytics master’s program?

When I compared programs, Jenkins was the only option I found with the risk management focus I wanted. A master’s in finance was available in many places, but I was looking for a program built around risk.

The analytics component mattered too. While I was in the Army, tools such as Power BI and Tableau became standard in business, and I had not worked with them. The MRA program paired the field I wanted to enter with the technical skills I needed to build.

What made the risk and analytics program at NC State feel like the right fit?

NC State already felt familiar. My dad attended, I grew up an NC State fan, and I live in Raleigh. I attended an in-person information session while deciding between a general MBA and the MRA program, and the session confirmed that the MRA aligned more closely with my goals.

I also liked the flexibility of an online program based close to home. I knew I could access campus or in-person opportunities when needed without giving up the schedule I needed as a full-time professional.

“I knew I could access campus or in-person opportunities when needed without giving up the schedule I needed as a full-time professional.”

Student Experience

How do you balance graduate school with work and life?

I use the weekends to review the workload for the coming week and map out when I will complete each assignment. I usually do schoolwork in the evenings after work, when I am already focused on getting things done. My hybrid work schedule also gives me some flexibility during the week.

National Guard service required one weekend each month, but I knew those dates in advance and could plan around them. The program structure makes it possible to work ahead, which has been important. As long as I track the deadlines, I can balance the work and still make time for final revisions before an assignment is due.

Which class, project or faculty member has had the biggest impact?

The executive presentation course with Ericka Kranitz had a major impact on me. I entered the course thinking I was already a strong presenter, but I learned how much the approach needs to change based on the audience. That lesson now shapes how I communicate with executives in my current role.

Ericka also makes an active effort to understand her students and the demands they face outside the classroom. Most students in the program work full time, and her engagement, adaptability and understanding make a meaningful difference.

“I was already a strong presenter, but I learned how much the approach needs to change based on the audience. That lesson now shapes how I communicate with executives in my current role.”

Career Impact

How have you applied what you’ve learned in your current role?

I apply it every day. In my current role as an issues management analyst at State Employees’ Credit Union, I help manage risks at the enterprise level. Risks from across the organization enter an internal program, and our team works with executives and other leaders as they move through the mitigation process.

The enterprise risk management framework from the program shapes how I approach that work. The executive presentation course also helps because I speak with senior leaders and prepare reports for them. Both the technical knowledge and communication skills transfer directly to my responsibilities.

Have you received new responsibilities, a promotion or other opportunities?

The largest change has been moving into my current role in risk management. It was not a promotion within the same organization, but the MRA program helped me qualify for a position in the field I wanted to enter. The move also brought higher compensation.

That transition was one of my main goals when I enrolled, so reaching it before graduation showed me the degree was already affecting my career.

“…the MRA program helped me qualify for a position in the field I wanted to enter. The move also brought higher compensation.”

Looking Ahead

What are your long-term career goals?

My short-term goal is to lead the risk management team I currently work on. Long-term, I want to continue moving into leadership roles within risk management.

I like the mission and operating model at State Employees’ Credit Union, and I am interested in how the organization is evolving as financial institutions adopt new digital tools within a highly regulated environment. I want to grow with that work and take on broader responsibility over time.

How has the risk and analytics program prepared you for what’s next?

The program has given me confidence in both my knowledge and my ability to communicate. I am still building my understanding of the organization in a new role, but I have a strong foundation in risk management and experience with tools such as Power BI and Tableau. That foundation gives me a clear perspective to bring into meetings.

I am more willing to speak up, propose ideas and contribute even when I do not yet know the full history behind a process. That confidence has helped me create a more collaborative work environment and will support me as I move toward leadership.

Get in Touch

Connect with Savannah on LinkedIn or at [email protected].

Learn More

To learn more about the Jenkins MRA program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below.