CPaCE News

As a professional dancer and teacher, Nicolea Pettis used to feel that she was living a double life, with her artistic and business pursuits occupying separate worlds. It wasn’t until she enrolled in CSULB’s Hybrid Saturday Master of Business Administration (SMBA) program in 2022 that she learned how to bridge the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship.

“I chose to enroll at CSULB after an in-depth search of California's top business schools,” she explained. “I wanted to remain local and was pleased to discover CSULB's highly regarded business programs—which was a perfect fit, given that I live in Long Beach.”

Trained in ballet, hip-hop, African, and contemporary dance styles, Nicolea specializes in Brazilian forms, winning the competitive titles of Samba Queen USA as well as a 2020 International Samba Congress championship. Her weekly routine requires handling multiple roles: preparing and teaching dance classes, rehearsing for performances, managing her finances, and promoting herself through social media. Although she finds this work fulfilling, Nicolea is planning to expand her career further in the entertainment industry.

The SMBA program's flexible schedule allowed Nicolea to pursue an advanced degree on weekends while maintaining her professional responsibilities during the week. The comprehensive curriculum covered everything Nicolea needed to pursue her career goals, from finance, marketing, and start-up development to sustainability and disruptive technology. 

An on-site class visit to Noble Rotisserie brought the coursework to life through an opportunity to engage with the restaurant's owners, who shared their insights on how to identify and meet needs in the market. A unique seven-day study abroad trip to Munich also offered a first-hand look at global trends and practices at various businesses throughout the cosmopolitan German city.

“The trip to Munich was a fantastic experience that has added immense value to my MBA journey,” Nicolea said. “It helped solidify my understanding of the business world and opened my mind to new opportunities for the future.”

Since graduating in 2024, Nicolea continues to teach and perform while pursuing new opportunities in both the sports and entertainment industries. With the skills she gained through SMBA classes, Nicolea now uplifts her passion for the arts with a sharper ability to manage the business side of her career, leading to recent gigs as a dance instructor at universities and performing arts high schools across Southern California.

“I applied business principles to formally incorporate my dance company and implement new marketing strategies, which have led to a significant increase in my income,” she explained.

“The SMBA program has been transformative,” Nicolea continued. “It broadened my perspective on how I could leverage my business skills in creative spaces, and it empowered me to approach my career with a more strategic and holistic vision.”

Learn more about the Hybrid Saturday MBA program at CSULB.