Minaise sisters cherish opportunity, experience and accomplishments at Purdue Global

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — In 2022, four sisters — Cynthia, Jessica, MargaretEllen and Mary-McNeil Minaise — embarked on an educational journey together, setting out to be the first in their family to earn college degrees. Two years later, all four sisters are now members of Purdue Global’s Class of 2024.

Four of 12 siblings, the Minaise sisters grew up in western Oregon where they were educated at home, focusing on the arts, history, music and literature, in addition to participating in all aspects of their family’s business, SignCraft Premier Identity Solutions Inc., located in Roseburg, Oregon.

Their parents recommended Purdue Global as the next step in the sisters’ educational journey. As Purdue’s online university for working adults, Purdue Global offered a flexibility that allowed them to study and still work at the same time.

“Purdue Global was recommended because of the academic caliber of the degree we could receive,” Jessica said.

The family recognized Purdue Global’s programs as a perfect fit, especially with a rigorous curriculum tailored to their aspirations.

“We did a lot of research and had a lot of discussions, looking at our options for working adults and what schools had to offer in terms of prestige and the degrees we wanted to pursue, and Purdue Global checked all those boxes,” Mary-McNeil said.

All four sisters began working toward bachelor’s degrees in the School of Business and Information Technology, with Cynthia, Mary-McNeil and MargaretEllen pursuing business degrees, and Jessica looking to obtain a degree in finance, which they accomplished in October 2024.

“It’s been a privilege to be able to do this together and have the support of our family and each other. We were able to take a couple of classes together, too, so discussions became a whole family exchange,” Cynthia said.

“One of the many boons for me was that it was all virtual and online, so I could study and attend classes pretty much anywhere,” MargaretEllen said. “It was an added bonus being able to attend many of the same classes with my three sisters on top of that.”

Mary-McNeil said, “I am very proud of what we have accomplished in earning these degrees. The workload was manageable, and while not always easy, it pushed us and taught us what it takes to excel.”

Jessica said she also valued the challenge and practical application of her studies, now applying what she has learned to her role in the family business by navigating the financial side of the operations.

“One thing pursuing a Bachelor of Science at Purdue Global especially taught me was the art of time management. I wasn’t just doing college, or just working, or just learning to manage life. I was into all of it and had all of it to manage. Purdue Global’s accessibility allowed me to learn how to make it all a cohesive whole,” Jessica said.

Cynthia said the sisters’ support for each other and from their family was instrumental in their success.

“Everyone was incredibly supportive and committed 100% to seeing my sisters and me through the process,” Cynthia said. “I appreciated the resources and flexibility Purdue Global provided for studying while working full time and participating in family life.”

In addition, all four sisters cherished the opportunity to study in London for a week in March 2024, offering them a chance to immerse themselves in another country’s culture, business, lifestyle and more to help them gain knowledge and appreciation for the world outside their own communities.

“The opportunity to take the education abroad trip to London with several other Purdue Global students, faculty and my family is an experience that will influence and inform my understanding for the rest of my life. The memories have left a beautiful impression!” MargaretEllen said.

“Participating in the education abroad trip provided us with exclusive access to information and experiences that we would not have had otherwise,” Cynthia said. “It was an opportunity to see into the city’s culture and industry beyond its outside visibility and truly understand its essence and foundation. The study abroad trip provided a great opportunity to interact firsthand and apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. It was truly enriching.”

The Minaise sisters were also grateful to be able to participate in Purdue Global’s virtual commencement ceremony, reflecting on the meaningful journey they experienced.

“With some more magic from the Purdue Global staff, we were all able to attend the virtual commencement and receive our degrees at the same time, making the moment all the more meaningful,” Mary-McNeil said.

“It was an amazing experience and opportunity to be able to participate virtually, especially being able to share with other classmates and celebrate their achievements,” MargaretEllen said.

As they continue to apply their knowledge to the family business, the Minaise sisters are excited for what the future holds — both professionally and as a family.

“I have already begun applying my newly acquired knowledge to my responsibilities within the family’s company,” MargaretEllen said. “It has been pretty incredible to take the skills and concepts that we learned and apply them in real time. In retrospect I am even more grateful for my professors and their insistence that we think through the process until we can ask good questions and recognize right answers. Golden!”

Cynthia said, “Right now, I look forward to providing help and support to my younger siblings as they pursue their educational, college and career goals, and celebrating all that we are able to achieve together.”

Earning their degrees while balancing full-time jobs, family commitments and the challenges of online learning, the four sisters shared not only the trials but also the triumphs of their educational journey.

“We all agree Purdue Global challenged us and better equipped us for real-world challenges and the hurdles of business management, while also inspiring us to go forth and do,” Jessica said.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.