Entrepreneur Lenz Bayas’s career has been anything but boring.
Bayas worked toward Boise State University’s online Master of Science in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning (OPWL) — his second master’s degree — while balancing his time between two countries. He graduated in May 2023.
“I had pursued a master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University, which gave me a foundation in international development, public policy and planning,” Bayas said.
“I wanted to complement that foundation with a different way of examining how organizations and projects perform, including the factors that help or hinder their ability to translate plans into results.”
Bayas now owns and operates LKB Consulting in Haiti, his home country. The independent practice focuses on strengthening project execution and implementation, with an emphasis on public-sector, humanitarian and development initiatives.
The OPWL program helped Bayas pursue entrepreneurship while building on his first master’s degree.
“I chose Boise State because the OPWL program allowed me to build beyond my previous training while expanding my understanding of the broader factors that influence organizational and human performance,” he said.
A lifelong commitment to learning and growth
Bayas began his higher education journey by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and philosophy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
He also earned an online graduate certificate in instructional technology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, before graduating with his first master’s degree at Tufts.
“The online format worked well with my schedule because it provided the flexibility to manage my studies while spending time in both Haiti and the United States,” he said. “I was already familiar with the format.”
Bayas began his professional career as a quality assurance project manager in international development in Haiti after completing his first master’s degree. He has worked in consulting since 2014.
“I later continued my career in the United States, where my professional experience broadened across different organizational and professional settings,” he said. “I have since returned to Haiti, where I now operate an independent consulting practice focused primarily on strengthening project execution and implementation in development contexts.”
Bayas enrolled at Boise State because the OPWL curriculum matched what he wanted in a master’s degree program.
“I don’t have a single favorite course, per se,” he said. “Rather, I appreciated the courses in their totality and how they collectively provided a broader perspective on organizational and human performance.
“What I learned in the program informs how I work, particularly how I examine organizational and project performance in development contexts.”
Bayas believes he got good value and strong return on investment from his second master’s degree program.
“I certainly got what I was looking for from the program, particularly the broader perspective it provided on organizational and human performance,” he said.
Building a solid career foundation with OPWL learning
Bayas, who enjoys playing chess in his free time, celebrated his accomplishment by walking the graduation stage at Boise State’s 2023 commencement ceremony.
“Other members of my immediate family have earned college degrees,” he said. “They weren’t surprised. My wife supported my decision [to earn a second master’s degree].”
With the OPWL degree under his belt, Bayas hopes to continue being an entrepreneur while expanding the depth of his current business.
“My long-term goal is to build a specialized practice providing strategic advisory support to organizations and projects in Haiti and beyond,” he said.
Bayas believes his Boise State degree has created new perspectives to apply to his career.
“The degree has strengthened the analytical foundation I bring to my professional work as well as helped me better understand the conditions that influence performance,” he said. “I hope to continue applying that perspective as I take on increasingly strategic work with organizations and projects, particularly in development contexts.”
Bayas has some advice for potential students considering the OPWL program.
“I would encourage them to approach the program with an open mind and consider the many ways they can apply what they learn to their own work and professional goals,” he said. “For online learning, being present and engaged matters, regardless of where you happen to be joining from.”
Learn more about the Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning program
Earning an online Master of Science in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning 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.