Vancouver, Canada, native Harleen Toor possesses an intellectual curiosity as large as her homeland.
“I have always been interested in business, because I would have impromptu ideas,” she said. “Even as a healthcare student in college, I would see products and think about who designed it, how they sell it, and what did it take to go to market? Even as a child, I was like that.”
That thirst for knowledge led Toor to graduate from Boise State University’s Online Master of Business Administration in Marketing Leadership in September 2025.
“At one point, I wanted to get my master’s degree,” she said. “There were a lot of options, but my mind kept saying, ‘MBA.’ So, that’s what I did. I chose marketing because I would see billboards and wonder, ‘How do they do this?’ I’ve always been interested in marketing as an essence.”
Toor is a part-time respiratory therapy faculty member at Ohlone College in Fremont, California, where she earned associate degrees in natural sciences (2006) and respiratory care therapy (2008).
“I understand healthcare deeply,” she said. “I’ve done admin work. I’ve done research work. I’ve been published. It’s fun to sell an idea with just a billboard. A really good way to sell things is figuring out how to convince someone this is a product they need.
“Even when you see ads on TV, I have always been curious about that type of thing. My advisor thought I would choose healthcare as an emphasis, but I really wanted to see the business end of it.”
While working full time and raising two daughters, ages 10 and 11, Toor chose Boise State’s online MBA for its flexibility.
“When I checked out the program, one of my co-workers had attended the university,” she said. “I asked him about the culture. He told me about the short classes.
“I was shocked about the model and how convenient they’ve made it for someone to take in content, deliver projects and get the grades in seven weeks. It’s a great model. It was very worth it. I also have an aunt who has a Ph.D. from Boise State. It was a nice way to get back.”
From healthcare to business
After graduating from high school in Canada, Toor moved to the United States more than 24 years ago and became an official citizen. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health informatics systems from the University of Phoenix in 2012.
“When we moved here, my grandpa got really sick,” she said. “He had pneumothorax and was in the ER. I met respiratory therapists there. It was all cardiopulmonary at the time.
“I was curious about how to save a person’s life and how people stay alive with breathing. It was a personal decision to go into respiratory therapy. My great grandpa also had medical issues, so I was very passionate about it. It was fun to learn about.”
Toor, who has worked for Ohlone College for more than six years and at various Bay Area hospitals, is looking to transition into a new role after earning her MBA.
“Old age is not kind, so I have some issues,” she said. “I can’t physically do patient care. I will either open my own business or go into product management.”
Learning that translates to real-world impact
Toor especially enjoyed two courses in the Online MBA curriculum — Marketing Leadership and Strategic Product Management.
“They were so eye-opening,” she said. “In Strategic Product Management, taught by Anne Hamby, we had to compete with another team to build a company and launch a product through digital simulation.
“I told my classmates, ‘We have to win this.’ We were not winning initially. There were certain lessons in the classroom, like you have to invest in research and development.
“Once I understood the whole thing, it took off and we won. Most people don’t understand how much it takes to launch a product. You have to build the product to the needs of the customer, then launch it. It was fun.”
A people-centered approach
Toor put the icing on the cake of earning an MBA by walking the graduation stage at commencement on campus.
“It was so amazing,” she said. “Especially when you are doing it at this age, it was so fun. My husband has been really supportive. My mom and dad, Kamaljit and Gurdial Dhami, also supported us financially. They were so proud of me.”
Although she was working full-time and raising two daughters, Toor said Boise State’s online program was the ideal way for her to earn an advanced degree.
“This program makes it fun,” she said. “You have to be focused on getting your assignments done on time and talking to your professors. One of the most challenging classes was accounting. It’s not my forte. If you talk to the professor and take notes, you can do well.
“That class opened up so much for me. I took accounting in high school, but it was amazing at this level. It was eye-opening to see how these things contribute strategically to the success of business.”
Toor also credits her advisor, James Davis, with helping her navigate the path to success in the program.
“If you really want to learn how to run a business, stay organized and stay in touch with the advisors,” she said. “They are really good people who care about your success. James would meet with me. It wasn’t about grades, but he keeps a topic open and makes you feel like you belong. He put on a personal touch and understood my background.
“I would have discussions about looking into marketing because of this reason. There’s lots of reading. You have to read ahead of time, then do your video lectures. You’ll be more successful in understanding the content and being able to reply to posts. There’s also lots of writing. Start early.”
Although she might be finished with college, Toor will never stop feeding her intellectual curiosity.
“I got such good value from the Online MBA program at Boise State,” she said. “Every time I think of a business idea now, I know what I’m doing.”
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.