Drew Maristch

Tell us about your career/educational path.: Right out of high school, I landed a supervisory position in the office services industry. Over the 10 years that followed, I served in various managerial roles but after having been laid off in 2001, I decided it was finally time to finish my degree. After earning an associate’s degree in business administration at Community College of Philadelphia, I continued my undergraduate studies at Temple University’s Fox School of Business before eventually moving to New Jersey and becoming a distance education student at Thomas Edison State University (TESU).
Why did you select TESU to complete your degree?: TESU represented a lower cost alternative to other state schools and a wide array of course offerings.
Why was pursuing your Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree important to you?: After spending 12 years with my previous employer and exhausting all advancement opportunities available, the time had come to secure my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. I was highly motivated to complete my last 36 required credits and managed to do so in just one year! Shortly afterward, I became a licensed real estate professional and accepted a position with Wolf Commercial Real Estate in Marlton, N.J.
What inspired you to become an Alumni Ambassador? What do/did you enjoy most about the program?: Personally, I wish that someone would have opened my eyes sooner to how important a degree really is. There are so many people out there who are just stuck working in dead end or low paying jobs. If I can help just one person take that first step toward a new career earning what they deserve and doing what they love, it is worth it!

What I enjoy most about being an Ambassador are the relationships I’ve been able to build. One of my mentees is really close to completing his/her marketing degree, and I cannot wait to see them accept their diploma.
What inspires you most about what you do?: What inspires me most is helping working adults (and new high school graduates alike) transform their lives for the better.
What else would you like to share about your personal or professional life?: My wife, Marina, just completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from TESU and graduates in June!

I currently serve on the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter Board of Directors.

We enjoy good food, spending time with our family and going on vacation.

Drew Maristch, BSBA ’15