Lindner Outstanding Student: How Mike Carovillano made on-campus impact with his online MBA

Online students don’t tend to expect recognition or awards. Many are non-traditional or adult learners, pursuing their degrees alongside their full-time careers. They form close bonds with professors and their online peers, but it’s easy for them to forget their place in their university’s larger community. 

When University of Cincinnati online MBA graduate Mike Carovillano was named an Outstanding Student by UC’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, it was a welcome reminder of his remarkable impact at UC. 

Mike took the time to share his story with us, including why he chose to pursue his MBA online and how he navigated online learning and on-campus involvement. 

Like many UC Online students, Mike Carovillano wanted to earn his master’s degree without sacrificing his career.

He’d already built years of professional experience in the areas of engineering, aerospace, artificial intelligence (AI), and consulting. Building upon that foundation, he set his sights on mastering the business side of his field: leadership, analytics, emerging technologies, and overall business strategy. What Mike wanted wasn’t just increased knowledge; he wanted to expand his skillset and “connect technical work with real organizational impact.” 

With these goals in mind, he set his sights on a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. A local option was the first to catch his eye. 

It may seem counterintuitive to enroll online at a university that’s only a few minutes away, but Mike saw this as a benefit. 

“Even though I needed flexibility, I still wanted to feel connected to the university and supported by a place that felt close to home,” he said. “That local connection mattered to me. It made the experience feel more personal than simply choosing an online program from anywhere.”

If the hometown advantage hadn’t convinced Mike, he would’ve still been drawn to UC’s online coursework options. UC’s courses in AI, analytics, and emerging technologies aligned with Mike’s career trajectory. It was easy for him to see both the academic rigor and practicality available at UC. 

“I wanted to keep growing professionally without stepping away from the work I was already doing,” Mike said. Online learning made this possible—in more ways than one.

When the conversation turns to balancing full-time work and school, the focus is often on avoiding burnout. There’s less discussion of how working and learning concurrently can benefit students. Mike’s experience, while not without its challenges, allowed him to apply his education directly to his professional life.  

Problems he encountered at work often overlapped with his coursework; he’d discover solutions in class and try them out on the job. Those “bridges between academic learning and real-world application” then fueled his assignments and discussions once he returned to class.

Mike wanted to challenge himself academically—not to the detriment of his career, but in support of it. A major plus of the MBA program was the opportunity to go beyond his standard coursework when desired.  

“I really appreciated that my professors were open to that,” he reflected. “When I wanted to explore a topic more deeply, connect as an assignment to my work, or challenge myself with a more advanced application, I was able to work with the professor to take the project further. That flexibility made a big difference for me.”

And while flexibility is a key aspect of online learning, it’s only one side of the coin. Where there’s room to shape your individual learning experience, there’s also a need for initiative and proactivity. According to Mike, this played a crucial role in his MBA success. 

“The program gave me a useful structure. At the same time, the students who get the most out of it are the ones who actively communicate with professors, ask questions, and find ways to connect the material to their own goals.”

Like many MBA students, Mike chose to complete a graduate certificate alongside his master’s degree. He enrolled in the MBA to expand his business acumen, but he was also eager for opportunities to dive further into his niche: artificial intelligence.

“I added the Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence in Business, and it became one of the most valuable parts of my degree experience,” he said. “Because I work as an AI consultant, the certificate was immediately relevant to my career.” 

The AI in Business Graduate Certificate acts as a natural complement to the MBA program, allowing students to explore AI applications in business without spending additional time in school. This guided Mike as he chose his elective courses. In his work at AMEND Consulting, a Cincinnati-based business consultancy specializing in AI applications, it also gave him “opportunities to experiment with new techniques and applications in machine learning and AI,” he added. 

Even though AI is already central to his work, the graduate certificate pushed him to further refine his AI use.  

“I was able to apply concepts from my coursework directly to client projects, while also using real client challenges to shape some of my class projects,” he said. “Over time, that helped me become a stronger and trusted advisor to clients and a more effective advocate for thoughtful innovation and change.”

One lesson stuck with Mike in particular: technology’s impact ultimately hinges on the strategy and thought behind it. Beyond his technical skillset—whether in engineering or AI—Mike learned to approach every problem critically, with the goal of creating organizational value. 

When asked how he managed being a full-time AI consultant and a full-time student, Mike answered honestly.

“It was a lot. There were busy periods, and I had to be very intentional about how I used my time. I learned to stay organized, prioritize carefully, and make steady progress week by week.”

Rather than seeing work and school as two competing obligations, Mike focused on integrating his coursework within his daily job responsibilities. His degree didn’t exist solely within an academic vacuum; it acted as a springboard.

“For me, the value of UC Online came from using the program as a platform rather than just a checklist,” he said. “I tried to choose electives that supported where I wanted my career to go, connect assignments to real problems I was seeing at work, and build relationships with professors when I wanted to take something further.”

Mike's effort proved worthwhile. He’s seen in his own experience that you get out of online learning is what you put into it. By seeking out additional opportunities and deeper study throughout his degree, Mike actively shaped what he learned—a choice that propelled himself forward professionally.

“That made the experience much more valuable than simply completing the required coursework.” 

Many online learners are interested in a program that doesn’t require any campus involvement. Whether it's due to geographic constraints or lack of time, they appreciate being able to study 100% online. However, that doesn’t mean online learners can’t get involved on UC’s campus.

As a Cincinnati local, Mike joined UC’s CubeCats Satellite Research Laboratory—which became “one of the most fulfilling parts of my time at UC," Mike said.

Through CubeCats, Mike took what he was learning, both in his MBA and his career, and applied it to the student-led aerospace research organization. His on-campus involvement strengthened and complemented his online coursework. CubeCats gave him additional opportunities to hone his leadership, strategy, and organizational skills—in concrete terms, not abstract concepts.  

All that Mike has worked to establish, such as leadership systems and a governance structure for AI use, will outlast his involvement with CubeCats. His work even contributed to a major milestone in the university’s history.

In January 2026, CubeCats completed and handed off UC’s first ever satellite, LEOPARDSat-1, to NASA and Voyager in preparation for its launch from the International Space Station.  

Along with being the first satellite in UC’s history, it was also officially recognized as the first fully student-led satellite in Ohio’s history.

“One of the things I am most grateful for is that my experience at UC became much broader than just completing a degree,” Mike said. “The degree matters, but the people, projects, and opportunities around it are what made the experience truly meaningful.”

Before he graduated, Mike received one final honor to cap off his time at UC.

In an annual award ceremony, UC’s Lindner College of Business recognizes students for their academic, extracurricular, and professional achievements. UC faculty and staff present awards to both undergraduate and graduate students across each academic area. 

Mike was thrilled to be named Lindner Outstanding Student for the Online MBA program.

“I was incredibly honored and more than a little surprised,” he recalled. “I know how many talented, hardworking students are part of the Lindner College, so to be recognized in that way meant a great deal to me.” 

What made the recognition particularly meaningful for Mike was learning what factors played a role in his selection. 

In addition to looking at academic performance, the Lindner Student Awards selection committee also considers professor feedback and peer reviews. According to Mike, knowing that the award reflected his relationships with both professors and classmates made it feel “much more personal.” 

Looking ahead to the future, Mike plans to focus his energy where technology and business intersect. He wants to solve operational problems, but he also wants to drive change as a leader. Collaborating with the people around him is just as important as developing the strategy behind it; he experienced this firsthand with CubeCats, and it’s a lesson he’ll carry long after graduation.

Mike's academic success, community involvement, and professional growth exemplify what makes him a Lindner Outstanding Student. Even so, he views the award with a humble, reflective perspective. 

“It felt less like an individual achievement and more like a reflection of the people who supported, challenged, and worked alongside me throughout the program,” he said. “I do not think accomplishments like this happen in isolation. That recognition reminded me how fortunate I have been to have people around me who believed in me and helped me grow.”

Even after graduating, Mike continues to be a shining example of what’s possible for online learners. With a clear goal in mind, you can continue learning and growing professionally without putting the rest of your life on hold.

Congratulations, Mike! All of us at UC Online are cheering you on. 

Have you been debating going back to school but fear the time commitment? At the University of Cincinnati, our online bachelor’s and master’s programs are designed with working adults and non-traditional learners in mind. Our online Master of Business Administration is globally ranked and can be combined with a variety of graduate certificates based on your career goals.

You don’t have to have everything figured out. Just start by connecting with your Enrollment Services Advisor. Our team is here to help you explore what’s best for you!