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Military spouse finds opportunity through MSU Texas MBA
For Spring 2026 Midwestern State University graduate Monica Boghean, commitment has never been an issue.
For years, Boghean devoted herself to her family and career. Pursuing another master’s degree was simply a matter of timing and opportunity. Thanks in part to the growing partnership between MSU Texas and Sheppard Air Force Base, she found the perfect opportunity to invest in herself and build toward a new future.
Originally from Romania, Boghean worked as a technical account manager for an American company. After relocating to the United States, however, she was unable to continue in that role immediately because she lacked a work permit. As a military spouse and full-time homemaker, she decided January 2025 was the right time to focus on her own professional growth and enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program at Midwestern State University.
Her husband serves as a Romanian instructor pilot with the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) Program at Sheppard Air Force Base.
“To me, this graduation is powerful proof that when you truly want something and fully commit to it, you will eventually succeed,” Boghean said. “This MBA represents not only an academic achievement after a long break from school but also a personal victory in rebuilding my confidence and identity in a new country. I hope this experience will open the doors to the kind of career I have always dreamed about, particularly in business analytics and data-driven decision making.”
Boghean earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iași, Romania. And went on to complete her first master’s degree in Banking and Financial Markets at the same university, building her foundation in finance and economics before transitioning into business analytics.
Raised in eastern Romania by a physician mother and an engineer father, Boghean credits her family for shaping her work ethic and determination.
“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have grown up with such dedicated and supportive parents,” Boghean said. “Their values, work ethic, and constant encouragement shaped both me and my sister, and I remain deeply grateful for everything they have done for us.”
The Bogheans moved to Wichita Falls in 2022 when her husband received an assignment as a T‑38 instructor pilot at SAFB.
“The transition was challenging at first: new country, new language environment, new routines,” she said. “However, we were fortunate to find an incredibly welcoming community in Wichita Falls. Thanks to the support we received, this city quickly started to feel like our second home.”
At MSU Texas’ Dillard College of Business Administration, Boghean found both encouragement and coursework that reinforced her career goals.
“I genuinely believe that every course I took will help me in my career because each one carried a clear message or lesson that we, as students, can carry forward into our lives,” she said.
She did particularly enjoy the Business Analytics concentration courses (Model Based Problem Solving, Data Mining, and Data Visualization) as well as 
Data Modeling and Forecasting. She enjoyed the challenge and complexities she was learning, and it confirmed her choice.
Boghean believes military-connected students and spouses can benefit greatly from the opportunities available at MSU Texas.
“The strengthened partnership between MSU Texas and Sheppard Air Force Base has absolutely helped me personally,” she said. “I see this collaboration as invaluable for both the university and the base, especially with the recent opening of the Military Education Center (MEC), which focuses on supporting students, with dedicated expertise in military and military-affiliated learners. This center has the potential to connect military families and the university in a much more intentional way.”
She recently participated in a meeting between MSU Texas leaders and international military spouses, including a tour of the Military Education Center.
“I truly believe this is the beginning of a strong, ongoing collaboration between many international spouses and MSU Texas,” Boghean said.
Taking a 15-year break between her first master’s degree and returning to classroom brought some challenges. The textbook was thick, and her classmates were youthful and full of energy and confidence, she thought.
“It was intimidating at first, but I eventually stopped comparing myself to others and focused instead on my own progress,” Boghean said. “This journey became about setting small daily goals, showing up with commitment and discipline, and measuring progress one day at a time.”
The experience reinforced her belief that military spouses should take advantage of educational opportunities during their assignments.
“None of this would have been possible without the constant support of my family and the guidance, patience, and kindness of my professors, for which I am forever grateful,” Boghean said.
She said all of her professors had a positive impact, but if she had to highlight one, it would be Pablo Garcia‑Fuentes, Ph.D, who believed in her more than she did herself.
“He invited me to serve as his graduate assistant in my first semester, nominated me for the Student of the Year award, and recommended me as a commencement speaker,” she said. “His trust and encouragement gave me the confidence to step into roles I never imagined for myself, and words are not enough to express how lucky I feel to have met him.”
On May 15, Boghean addressed fellow graduates during commencement ceremonies at D.L. Ligon Coliseum, sharing the lesson that guided her through the program.
“Don’t compare yourself to others; compare yourself to who you were yesterday. If today you feel you are even a little better than yesterday, then keep going,” Boghean repeated from her speech. “It is easy to get discouraged when you look at others’ progress, but real growth happens when you focus on your own journey.”
For Boghean, success came through daily goals, consistent effort, and unwavering commitment. Breaking the journey into small, daily goals made success feel realistic rather than overwhelming. She succeeded, and she believes other military-connected family members can, too.
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