11/24/2025
Alumni Spotlight
Meet Dawson Richman: Finding Friends, and Opportunity Through UVU’s MBA Program
For Dawson Richman, pursuing an MBA wasn’t just about earning another credential, it was about stretching himself. He wanted to grow mentally, professionally, and personally. He knew the program would challenge him in ways he hadn’t experienced before, and he saw it as a strategic step toward creating a better future for himself and his family.
Before joining the MBA program, Dawson was working at a small company with limited pay and almost no upward mobility, an unsustainable path, especially with his first child on the way. Through a connection he made in the program, he landed a new role that came with a 33% salary increase, stronger benefits, and meaningful career growth. As Dawson puts it, it wasn’t just a career upgrade, it was a life upgrade.
One of the most meaningful parts of the journey for him has been the people. Dawson often jokes that one of the greatest miracles in the Bible is Jesus having 12 close friends in His 30s, because building deep friendships as an adult is tough. Yet during the MBA, he found himself surrounded by driven, supportive classmates who became real friends. They studied together, pushed each other, and built bonds that continue long after the final group project.
His advice to anyone considering an MBA? Do it. Even though the program is demanding, Dawson believes the growth, opportunities, and relationships make it one of the best investments he’s ever made in himself.
