Feature Stories 2024: Steven Giesta '12, '24: Master of Business Administration

From the day Steven Giesta '12, '24, set foot on UMass Dartmouth's campus as an undergraduate student in 2009, he had ambitions of becoming a C.E.O. 

"I wasn't sure if I wanted to lead a small business or a large organization," says Giesta. "All I knew was that education opens doors, so I wanted to meet incredible classmates, learn from top-notch professors, and figure out the rest of the puzzle as I went." 

Today, he's both the C.E.O. of a small business and climbing the corporate ladder at one of the nation's 200 largest companies.

"I wouldn't have been as successful in business without the relationships and background I built at UMass Dartmouth. I'm proud to graduate from this elite business school and to have met so many other ambitious students along the way. I took no shortcuts, and I enjoyed every step of the journey."

Overcoming adversity 

Giesta's journey in higher education wasn't easy. His father passed the year he enrolled at UMassD, and he made a difficult choice to take over the carpet and floor installation company his father had owned for 32 years.

Running a business, supporting a family, and taking a full courseload as a first-generation college student can stretch a person thin, but Giesta says the support he received from the Charlton College of Business helped him make the most of his education.

"The support I got from my professors, advising staff, and the dean was incredible. Everyone was so open to conversation in person and by email, any hour of the day," says Giesta. "Additionally, my wife Jessica and daughter Alexis played a crucial role in my journey, providing unwavering encouragement and understanding that motivated me to stay focused and achieve my goals."

The power of education

The son of a small business owner, Giesta already knew about work ethic, people skills, and the entrepreneurial spirit. Combining that mindset with technical lessons and hard skills in the classroom—and an expanded network of ambitious business students and alumni—helped him take his father's carpet business to new heights and land a job at Whirlpool, a Fortune 200 company in his hometown of Fall River.

"My hiring manager and business mentor, Craig Costa '95, '09, is also a UMassD alumnus, and he encouraged me to get my MBA because of the doors it opens for leadership roles," says Giesta. "The MBA curriculum gives you experience with a little bit of everything—accounting, finance, management, operations, and international business. Working at an international organization with sister plants all over the world, that experience is immensely valuable for understanding how different departments function for the greater good of the business."

Master of Business Administration

Combining the business lessons learned in one of the region's top public business schools and the work ethic learned from his father, Giesta thrived in his graduate program, earning a 3.8 GPA. He's also flourished at Whirlpool Corporation, recently being promoted to Interim Plant Director at the Fall River factory.

"I wouldn't have been as successful in business without the relationships and background I built at UMass Dartmouth," says Giesta. "I'm proud to graduate from this elite business school and to have met so many other ambitious students along the way. I took no shortcuts, and I enjoyed every step of the journey.

"It's never too late to learn more. When I started the MBA program, I was one of the oldest people in my class. Years passed, a pandemic happened, and more adults started going back to school. On graduation day, I was actually one of the younger members of my class.

"If you're thinking about going back to school but aren't sure if it's possible, don't look at the overall course load and requirements. Just take it one course at a time. Graduate school is hard work, but hard work pays off. Participating in the graduation ceremony felt so rewarding because I was looking at an amazing group of peers who are all going to do great things in their lives and in others' lives. There's nothing more rewarding than finishing something you started—especially when it's a difficult task."

"It was great to witness Steven earning his MBA this past spring. His enthusiasm and determination are inspiring," said Charlton College of Business Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, Melissa Pacheco. "As adult learners, many of our CCB Graduate students have multiple priorities. Steven had more than his share, yet, he was able to jump back into his academics and successfully complete his MBA with a high GPA. I am incredibly proud of all that Steven has accomplished and look forward to witnessing his continued success."