By the time Austin Overacre graduated from Boise State University’s Online Master of Business Administration in Business Analytics in August 2025, he had already set up a pair of businesses to take over and run with his family.
“One business is a private therapy practice my wife, Amanda, runs, while the other is a business with holiday meat and cheese trays,” he said. “It’s something we had been doing as a hobby.
“I was able to mirror the course curriculum with both of them. For example, I did a communications class that included online advertising. I used the business itself for my homework, so that was super helpful.”
A U.S. Army veteran, Overacre also works full time as a project manager at St. Luke’s Health System in Twin Falls, Idaho.
“My director was very supportive of me earning a degree,” he said. “She afforded me time during my work schedule while I was doing my MBA if I needed it. For the most part, I didn’t need it during work hours, but St. Luke’s was very supportive.”
The Department of Veteran’s Affairs’ Veteran Readiness and Employment program connected Overacre with Boise State’s Online MBA program.
“I always wanted to earn a master’s,” he said. “My family has been in the business realm for a while. I had the opportunity, and it wasn’t going to cost me any money, so I took it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’”
Overacre chose Boise State because of its proximity to where he lives, the quality of the program and its reputation for serving military students.
“If I needed to flex and do any kind of in-person classes, I could make it work,” he said. “I have always been a fan of Boise State.
“I did some research and it looked like Boise State is very friendly from a veteran perspective. I already knew that from growing up here, but it was some additional confirmation. The MBA program is also ranked pretty high.”
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Overacre grew up in Kimberly, Idaho, and attended the College of Southern Idaho for one and a half years before he joined the Army. During his 12 years of service, he spent more than four years as a chief instructor and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management studies from the University of Maryland in 2022.
“The Online MBA was an extension of the norm for me because I also got my undergrad online,” he said. “I have never had a formal, in-person education at the college level. The MBA was very manageable. I worked full-time at St. Luke’s, but I was able to do my schoolwork nights and weekends.”
Design Thinking, one of the first courses Overacre took at Boise State, was his favorite in the Online MBA curriculum.
“I was able to take advantage of a training opportunity,” he said. “I went to New York City and got certified in design thinking instruction. It was a cool opportunity. My love for that process started in that class.”
Although he completed the program, the information Overacre learned continues to pay dividends.
“It’s been very applicable,” he said. “I’ve been able to use the assignments — especially the larger projects — and incorporate them into my normal work, which has been helpful. It doesn’t feel like extra work. I am working toward normal daily duties and what I do for projects.
“I learned a lot. There were some challenges and some challenging coursework. At the end of the day, there’s more to follow with the ultimate value and how it pays off with my career. That’s what I was looking for.”
Full nest
In addition to working full-time, earning a master’s degree and launching businesses, the Overacre family added a newborn while he was enrolled. Anna was born 17 months ago, joining siblings Ella (11), William (7) and Jonah (5).
“I spent most of the program with an infant,” he said. “My family and friends were excited and optimistic I was going to be able to handle it with four kids and a full-time job.”
Overacre walked in the December 2025 commencement ceremony to celebrate his big accomplishment. He is the first person on his side of the family to earn a master’s degree, an accomplishment that his wife has also achieved. He looks forward to seeing where the degree helps take his career.
“I’d love to continue in the healthcare sector,” he said. “So far, I have enjoyed it. It’s challenging. I’d like to move up into leadership positions and make it to a higher administrative role.
“I enjoy project management. It gives me the ability to interact with a lot of the senior leaders in the health system. I learn a lot from them, too.”
Overacre, who enjoys fitness, running, lifting weights and camping with the family in his free time, believes earning a degree online is the ideal way for anybody with a busy life.
“With the flexibility the program offers with the online, self-structured approach, instead of having to be at a certain place at a certain time for lectures, you are able to see them in your own time and make your own schedule,” he said. “Some people think of an online MBA and are scared of what that entails. Honestly, it was more enjoyable than my undergrad.”
Learn more about the Online MBA
Earning an Online Master of Business Administration from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.