The Power of Two
By Rachel Carlson
Amanda Armstrong, MBA ’22
Divisional Leader of Marketing
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Sean Armstrong, MBA ’24
Senior Vice President, Operations of Higher Education
American Dining Creations
Argyle, Texas
By Rachel Carlson
Leadership is often measured by personal achievement. For Sean and Amanda Armstrong, it has been measured by the opportunities they’ve created for one another.
That philosophy shaped one of the biggest decisions they would make together.
Long before they enrolled in Baylor’s Executive MBA program, now known as the MBA in Dallas for Executives and Professionals, Sean and Amanda Armstrong met by chance in the Atlanta airport.
At the time, both were early in their careers and working for Aramark. Amanda grew up in Boston and earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where she double majored in Marketing and Management while also playing soccer. Sean, originally from the Philadelphia area, studied sports marketing at Saint Joseph’s University and interned with the Philadelphia Flyers before ultimately finding his way into the hospitality industry.
Their first meeting happened while traveling for a team conference.
“We were colleagues at the time and just kind of hit it off,” Sean said. “We were both from the Northeast, both marketers and had the same extroverted nature. We started joking about the Boston–Philadelphia rivalry, and it just felt natural right off the bat.”
After meeting in Atlanta, the two stayed in touch and began dating. They later married and eventually relocated to Texas as their careers continued to grow.
Amanda was the first to consider pursuing an MBA. At the time she was serving as senior director of Marketing for Compass Group. Like many professionals during the early days of COVID, she suddenly found herself traveling less and thinking more about what the next step in her career might look like.
Having just moved to Texas, the Armstrongs were still building their community. As she looked for ways to grow professionally and connect with others, Amanda began researching MBA programs and quickly fell in love with Baylor’s Executive MBA in Dallas.
“I looked around at several programs, but Baylor really stood out,” she said. “The way the curriculum was structured – meeting once a month and having those immersive experiences in Waco, Washington, D.C. and internationally – made it feel manageable with my professional life.”
Just three days after attending orientation at Baylor, Amanda received the news that she was pregnant with their first child.
“It was definitely an adventure the whole time,” she said.
Throughout the program, Sean watched Amanda balance coursework, work responsibilities and new motherhood. After seeing her experience firsthand, Sean decided to enroll in the program as well.
“We thought it would be smart for one of us to focus on the program while the other focused on home life,” Sean said. “That way one person could really go all in on the experience.”
The plan worked. While Amanda was studying, Sean took the lead on many of the day-to-day responsibilities at home.
“I can remember bath time with our son while Amanda was locked away working on group projects,” he said. “Those weeks could be challenging, but you knew she was in there working toward something important.”
When Sean began the program after Amanda graduated, the couple reversed roles. Amanda took on more of the responsibilities at home while Sean focused on coursework and class weekends. Throughout their time in the program, communication became the key to making everything work.
“It was really just constant communication,” Sean said. “Amanda would say, ‘I’ve got midterms coming up,’ or ‘I’ve got a big group project,’ and we’d adjust accordingly.”
Their family continued to grow during those years.
“We were a family of two that became a family of three during my MBA,” Amanda said. “Then we became a family of four during his.”
Balancing newborn schedules with coursework wasn’t always easy, but they leaned on each other along with their strong support system.
“We really had a village,” Amanda said. “Friends, family, people from our cohort – everyone stepped in to help.”
Both say the experience was shaped as much by their classmates as by the coursework itself. Prior to Baylor, most of their professional network had been rooted in the hospitality and food service industry. The MBA program introduced them to professionals from healthcare, finance, logistics and nonprofit organizations.
“That was one of the biggest things that surprised me,” Sean said. “You’re sitting in a classroom with people from completely different industries and hearing how they approach problems. It really changes the way you think.”
Amanda experienced something similar.
“It helped me find my voice a little bit more,” she said. “You realize everyone brings their own expertise to the table. I could lean on others for finance or supply chain knowledge, and they would lean on me for marketing.”
Today, Amanda serves as divisional leader of marketing for Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, overseeing a team of field marketers across several states. She credits the program with strengthening her leadership style and encouraging greater self-awareness.
“The program really pushed me to look at myself as a leader,” she said. “Understanding situational leadership and how you tailor your approach for different people has been huge for me.”
She said the experience also reshaped the way she thinks about professional growth.
“Early in your career you say yes to everything because you think that’s how you move forward,” Amanda said. “The program helped me understand what I should say yes to and what I shouldn’t.”
Sean saw the impact in his own career as well. After graduating, he began exploring new opportunities and connected with Baylor’s Career Center.
“After I graduated, I was hungry for growth,” Sean said. “I wanted more responsibility and career advancement, and it felt like the right time for a change. I didn’t expect the level of support that I got. The Career Center helped refine my résumé and connect me with people across the Baylor network.”
Those connections ultimately led him to his current role as senior vice president of Operations of Higher Education with American Dining Creations, one of the nation’s largest privately-owned hospitality and culinary service providers specializing in customized dining, catering and vending solutions for colleges, universities and corporate offices. Sean earned this promotion after quickly establishing a track record of success in business development and client retention, generating meaningful growth within his first 18 months with the organization.
“Because of what I learned at Baylor, I don’t think I would have had the success I’ve had so far in my current role,” Sean said. “It really changed the way I think strategically.”
While the professional benefits have been significant, the Armstrongs say the relationships they built during the program may be the most meaningful outcome.
“The cohort experience is incredible,” Amanda said. “You’re together through all the stress, all the tests and projects. Those people really become like family.”
Sean remembers the way the program supported students and their families throughout the experience.
“When our daughter Charlotte was about to be born, I walked into class and there was a little baggie waiting for me with a handwritten note and a Baylor onesie welcoming her to the Baylor Bear family,” Sean said. “I remember thinking, ‘Who does that?’ That’s pretty incredible. Those are the kinds of moments I’ll take with me forever.”
Their advice to other professionals considering an MBA while balancing work and family is simple. “Just jump in,” Amanda said. “Take it one step at a time. It is absolutely doable.”
