Skip to main content
  • Call Now
  • Request Info
  • Menu

Search form

  • JWU Main Site
  • jwuLink
  • Apply Now
  • Hide nav
  • Request Info
  • 1.855.598.1881

JWU College of Professional Studies

  • Academics
    Academics
    Academics Home Academic Calendar Online Catalog and Student Handbook On-Campus Programs
    • On Campus
    • Online
    • Business
      • BA - Communication
      • BS – Accounting
      • BS – Advertising & Marketing Communications
      • Doctor of Business Administration
      • BS – Business Studies
      • BS – Digital Marketing & Social Media
      • BS – Fashion Merchandising & Retailing
      • BS – Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship
      • BS - Marketing
      • BSBA – Business Administration
      • BSBA – Entrepreneurship
      • BSBA – Human Resource Management
      • BSBA – International Business
      • BSBA – Management
      • BSBA – Operations & Supply Chain Management
      • BSBA – Enterprise Risk Management
      • MS – Global Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development
      • MS - Finance
      • BSBA - Leadership Studies
      • AS – Business Administration
      • BS – Finance
      • Graduate Micro Certificate - Operations & Supply Chain Management
      • MS – Operations & Project Management
      • Undergraduate Micro Certificate - Business Communication
      • Undergraduate Micro Certificate - Communication for Change
      • Undergraduate Micro Certificate - Foundational Operations & Supply Chain Management
      • Undergraduate Micro Certificate - Technical Writing & Editing
      • Undergraduate Micro-Certificate - Accounting
    • Nonprofit Management
      • Graduate Certificate - Nonprofit Management
      • MS – Nonprofit Management
      • MPA – Nonprofit Management
      • MBA - Nonprofit Managment
    • Criminal Justice
      • MS – Criminal Justice
      • MPA – Criminal Justice
    • Political Science
      • BS - Political Science
    • Culinary Management
      • BS – Baking & Pastry Arts & Food Service Management
      • MS – Food Safety
      • BS – Culinary Arts & Food Service Management
      • Professional Certificate - Professional Craft Brewing
      • BS – Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship
      • BS – Food Industry Compliance Management
      • Bever<u>a</u>ge Service Manag<u>e</u>ment
    • Psychology
      • BS – Psychology
      • MBA – Organizational Psychology
      • MS – Organizational Psychology
    • Health Science
      • BS – Healthcare Administration
      • BS – Public Health
      • MS - Nutrition
      • Graduate Micro Certificate - Sports Nutrition
      • Undergraduate Micro Certificate - Public Health
    • Public Administration
      • MPA – General
      • MPA – Criminal Justice
      • MPA – Nonprofit Management
      • MPA – Homeland Security
      • MPA – Human Resource Management
    • Hospitality
      • BS – Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship
      • BS – Food Industry Compliance Management
      • BS – Hospitality Management
      • BS – Hotel & Lodging Management
      • BS – Sports, Entertainment, Event – Management
      • BS – Tourism & Hospitality Management
      • MBA – Hospitality
      • MS - Hospitality Management
      • MS – Global Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development
      • Graduate Certificate - Hospitality
      • Undergraduate Micro Certificate - Food Compliance
      • Undergraduate Micro Certificate - Quality Assurance in Hospitality
    • Sociology
      • BA - Sociology
    • HR Management
      • BSBA - Human Resource Management
      • MBA - Human Resource Management
      • MS – Human Resource Management
    • Sport Administration
      • BS – Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management
      • MBA – Sport Leadership
    • Liberal Studies
      • BS – Liberal Studies
    • Technology
      • BS – Computer Science
      • BS – Digital Marketing & Social Media
      • MBA – Information Security/Assurance
      • MS - Data Analytics
      • MS – Instructional Design & Technology
    • MBA
      • MBA - Event Leadership
      • MBA-Executive Communication
      • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
      • MBA – Finance
      • MBA – Hospitality
      • MBA – International Beverage Management
      • MBA – Human Resource Management
      • MBA – Information Security/Assurance
      • MBA – Organizational Psychology
      • MBA — Marketing
      • MBA – Operations & Supply Chain Management
      • MBA – Organizational Leadership
      • MBA – Nonprofit Management
      • MBA – Sport Leadership
      • MBA – General (One Year)
      • MBA – Global Fashion Merchandising Management
      • MBA – Project Management
  • Admissions
    Admissions
    JWU Admissions
    • Admissions Home
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Apply Online
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Transfer Students
    • Doctoral Admissions
    • On-Campus Admissions
    • International Admissions
    • Career Coach
    • Returning Students
    • Tuition and Fees
    • JWU Military
  • Financial Aid
    Financial Aid
    JWU Financial Aid
    • Financial Aid Home
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Scholarships and Grants
    • Military Benefits
  • Student Services
    Student Services
    JWU Student Services
    • Student Services Home
    • Academic Calendar
    • Career Resources
    • Academic Resources
    • Commencement
    • Technical Resources
  • Corporate Partnerships
    Corporate Partnerships
  • Blog
    Blog
  • About
    About
    About JWU
    • About JWU Professional Home
    • Read Student Testimonials
    • Tour an Online Classroom
    • Two JWU Grads, One MBA Journey
    • Learn from Experienced Faculty
    • Meet Our Team
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Discover the JWU Difference
    • Online Student Consumer Information
    • Priorities Survey for Online Learners
  • Apply Now
    Apply Now
  • jwuLink
    jwuLink
  • JWU Main Site
    JWU Main Site

You are here

JWU Professional > Blog > From the Online Classroom to the Stanley Cup
Career Catalyst

Welcome to Career Catalyst, our blog featuring helpful continuing education and career-related articles written by our faculty and staff. From study and motivation tips to career planning and interview techniques, we cover it all. Make sure to check back regularly, because we’re always posting new articles designed to help you get more out of your education and career.

Follow Us
  • RSS
  • Facebook
  • Google Plus
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • PinInterest

From the Online Classroom to the Stanley Cup

search_icon

Search

mail_icon

Subscribe

 

From the Online Classroom to the Stanley Cup

May 10th, 2021
by Annie Shalvey

The world has changed a lot over the past two years. From a global pandemic and stay-at-home orders to canceled events, people are just now finally getting back into the swing of “normal life.” For Roanna Valdellon, the last two years have been a mixed bag of chaos and excitement. Valdellon, who currently works in human resources in the sports industry, started her MBA program at Johnson & Wales University in 2019.

Since then, it has been a whirlwind.

“These past 17 months have been quite the adventure,” Valdellon said. “I got engaged a month after I started my first class. And working full-time in human resources and studying organizational psychology during a global pandemic provided me with both the challenge and opportunity that I anticipated pursuing an MBA — and it went above and beyond expectations!” 

It was a Sign

Valdellon earned her associate’s degree in hotel management from Johnson & Wales University in 2003. She then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2005 from Baltimore International College (now called Stratford University). In 2019, Valdellon enrolled in the online MBA – Organizational Psychology program at JWU thanks to the university’s partnership with Delaware North. At the time, she was working in human resources for Amalie Arena, home of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. When she saw the announcement about the tuition benefits the partnership promised her, she decided it was time to apply.

“I saw it as a sign to finally commit,” she said. “And when I transferred full-time roles from Delaware North to Vinik Sports Group, I negotiated my position to remain with DN as a part-time trainer so I could continue in the discount program.”

In 2019, Valdellon joined Vinik as a Human Resources Business Partner and continued supporting Amalie Arena and the Lighting’s HR initiatives. In her position, where she averages about 60 hours per week, she is responsible for the facilities and operations divisions, supporting the whole employee life cycle within the organization. After work, she would switch her work laptop for her personal laptop to get her schoolwork done. If the Lightning were playing, she’d tune in from her couch while finishing homework. 

Becoming a Champion (And a Graduate)

In 2020, Valdellon realized a goal she never imagined possible: the Lightning won the Stanley Cup and she became a Stanley Cup champion. 

“Every single event that we execute at Amalie Arena and the Yuengling Center is really remarkable,” she explained. “For the Lightning to put our world-class organization in the international spotlight for excellence makes all the hard work absolutely worth it.”

Completing the final course of her MBA program—much like winning a Stanley Cup—is an accomplishment, and Roanna couldn’t help but think about everyone that has helped her get here.

“My advisor, Harry Ryan, has been great. I was very impulsive with enrolling so I did not entirely grasp registrations and course loads,” she said. “Harry was fantastic and patient—even though he’s a Bruins fan!” In addition to her faculty members and JWU support team, Roanna said her family and friends have been the driving factor behind her success. “My fiancé is amazing in supporting me and I don’t think I could be successful without him.”

For someone who is considering going back to school, Roanna has a great piece of advice: “Choose a track that you have a genuine interest in. Don’t just check the box. So much of what I learned applies to what I practice.”

Now a graduate with an MBA with a concentration in Organizational Psychology, Roanna said she is the first in her family to earn an advanced degree. And her diploma is more than just a piece of paper—it’s proof of her expertise in the industry.

“It’s completely gratifying,” she said. “And it personally validates me as a professional. ‘Imposter syndrome’ is trending, but it has also been a reality for me throughout my career. I look forward to continuing the legendary streak the

 Tampa Bay Lightning has established for us as an organization to positively impact our team, community, and industry.”

Want to learn more about earning your degree with Johnson & Wales University? For more information, complete the Request Info form, or call 855-JWU-1881.

May 10th, 2021
by Annie Shalvey
Annie Shalvey's picture
by Annie Shalvey
Annie joined the JWU College of Online Education in September 2016 as a communications coordinator. A native Rhode Islander, she received her BA in English from Providence College. Before joining Team JWU, Annie worked as a digital news producer and social media gal at a local TV station. She enjoys rainy days, suspense novels, concerts, and writing blogs for Career Catalyst. Annie is currently pursuing her MBA at Johnson & Wales.
Featured Blogs

Choosing the MBA That’s Right for You: One-Year vs. Two-Year Programs

June 30th, 2022 – If you're considering going back to school to earn your Master of Business Administration (MBA), good for... Read More

22 Productivity Tips for College Students

June 30th, 2022 – Your time as a college student is likely one of the most important, exciting, and challenging chapters of... Read More

How College Students Can Improve Their Emotional Intelligence

June 30th, 2022 – Having high emotional intelligence (EI), also known as emotional quotient or EQ, can help college... Read More

10 Supply Chain Management Careers You Should Consider

June 30th, 2022 – Since the pandemic, supply chain issues have been in the news repeatedly. Something most of us took for... Read More

How to Practice Authentic Leadership

June 30th, 2022 – Authentic leadership is a management style in which leaders are genuine, self-aware, and transparent.... Read More

Older Stories
Annie Shalvey's picture
AuthorAnnie Shalvey
Annie joined the JWU College of Online Education in September 2016 as a communications coordinator. A native Rhode Islander, she received her BA in English from Providence College. Before joining Team JWU, Annie worked as a digital news producer and social media gal at a local TV station. She enjoys rainy days, suspense novels, concerts, and writing blogs for Career Catalyst. Annie is currently pursuing her MBA at Johnson & Wales.
  • Now accepting applications
  • Apply now
  • Admissions

Career Coach

Continue to Career Coach

You are now leaving Johnson & Wales’ (JWU) site and going to a site not operated by us. We are not responsible for the content or availability of any site other than our own.The information provided on the site is provided by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). EMSI has indicated to us the information provided is fair and reasonable. We do not make any representations or warranties, nor do we accept liability or responsibility, as to the accuracy or use of the information.  Additional links may also be provided, including those relating to employment opportunities. 

You are responsible for performing due diligence, such as ensuring the listings are for actual jobs and that your private and personal information are protected, when using or relying on information from any site.

 

Johnson & Wales University
115 Cedar St.
Providence, RI 02903
855.598.1881

© 2022 Johnson & Wales University
Privacy Policy  Nondiscrimination Policy

 

  • Contact Us
  • Accreditation & Approvals
  • Online Student Consumer Information
  • Catalogs
  • Handbooks
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
Back to top