Standing Tall for Commitment

When Marcelo Antonio Vieira Carnevalle (DBA ’25), an alumnus from Brookfield, Ill., was looking for a doctoral program, he wanted to find a university that could challenge him academically and professionally. At Concordia University Chicago, he found both, along with a community of supporters who encouraged him to complete his doctorate in business administration.

"What initially drew me to Concordia-Chicago was its strong balance between academic rigor and practical leadership development. As a practitioner, I was looking for a doctoral program that connected research with real-world experience, and CUC provided exactly that environment.”

“What encouraged me to stay was the supportive community and the commitment of the faculty to their students’ success. During challenging moments in my personal journey, the encouragement and faith-based culture at CUC made a meaningful difference and helped me remain committed to completing my doctorate."

"When I began my journey at Concordia-Chicago, I carried a dream that had been with me for many years. I wanted to earn a doctoral degree not only to further develop my career as a business leader but to better support the organization where I work and the people who are part of it. At the same time, I hoped that one day I could teach at the undergraduate and master’s levels, sharing the perspective of someone who has spent many years in the industry.”

“There was also another dream in the back of my mind: one day, I hoped to publish an academic article. At the time, that goal felt very far away.”

“My doctoral journey was both challenging and transformative. Coming from a practitioner background, I had to start from the ground up to learn the foundations of academic research. The process of designing a study, collecting data, and developing rigorous analysis required discipline, patience, and a completely new way of thinking.”

“The support I received from the CUC community was something I will never forget. The encouragement from faculty and the strong sense of faith in the University’s culture gave me the strength to continue when it would have been easy to stop. That support reminded me that education is not only about knowledge but also about community, compassion, and purpose.”

“Looking back, I feel very grateful for my journey. My first academic article, “Strategies of Manufacturing Leaders for Sustainable Supply Chain Resilience: The Role of Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional Engagement,” was accepted for review, something that once felt like a distant dream. I also received an opportunity to serve as a part-time faculty member, which allows me to begin contributing to the academic world while continuing my career.” 

“CUC helped shape not only my academic development but also my character. It strengthened my resilience, humility, and commitment to lifelong learning. Most importantly, it prepared me to bridge the worlds of business practice and academia—a path I hope to continue pursuing in the years ahead."