“Davenport University helped fuel my future by providing the skills, experience and professional connections needed to launch my marketing career. Through hands-on coursework, internships and mentorship from professors, I was able to apply what I learned in real-world settings and build a strong professional network.” – Hannah Kragt, ‘24, GRCC transfer student, military spouse

 

Two years ago, Hannah Kragt graduated from Davenport University with a bachelor’s in marketing and imagined where her degree would take her. At the time, moving out of the country wasn’t on her radar, but she’s now living, working and raising a family in Okinawa, Japan.

Trying new things is nothing new to Kragt. She began her education at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), where she completed her general education requirements. While a career in business felt like the right fit for her, she hadn’t decided on a particular path. After exploring her options, she became intrigued by Davenport’s business programs and the ability to complete her prerequisite courses at GRCC and finish her education at Davenport. 

“The process of transferring to Davenport was straightforward and seamless,” she said. “My GRCC credits transferred smoothly, the pathway was clearly established and the partnership between the two institutions made it easy to stay on track academically.” 

Her decision to transfer to Davenport played an important role in setting herself up for long-term success both personally and professionally. “I took advantage of Davenport’s online class option and appreciated that many of my classes were offered in the evenings,” she said. “This flexibility was incredibly valuable, as I balanced my coursework while working two jobs and completing two internships. Davenport’s scheduling options allowed me to create a manageable routine that accommodated both my academic responsibilities and professional commitments.” That flexibility, she said, enabled her to gain meaningful real-world experience while earning her degree.

Also of great value to Kragt was Davenport’s marketing curriculum, which she found highly specialized and career-focused compared to many other colleges she had researched. “Most of my coursework focused on business and marketing, which allowed me to develop practical skills that directly aligned with my career goals and future opportunities in the industry,” she said. “My classes were taught by professors who infused their real-life experience into each class. It was a great learning environment,” she said. 

One of Kragt’s favorite professors at Davenport was D.J. Willard, whose experience as the senior director of strategic marketing for Priority Health helps shape his marketing lesson plans and his students’ minds. 

“Professor Willard emphasized that the marketing industry is constantly evolving and that successful marketers must be willing to adapt to changes in real time,” Kragt said. “He challenged us to stay informed about emerging trends and platform updates shaping the digital landscape. He also encouraged us to think strategically, collaborate with peers and apply classroom concepts to real-world experiences. This approach to learning helped me prepare for my internship at Broadway Grand Rapids, where I assisted the marketing team in enhancing social media presence through short-form video content and digital engagement strategies.

“I was able to apply what I learned in class to my internship projects, creating content that was timely, relevant and aligned with industry best practices,” she said.

Willard remembers Kragt well. “Hannah had a unique ability to think beyond the classroom, imagining how course concepts could be applied in the real world,” said Willard. “She was never afraid to ask questions, and her approach allowed her to develop valuable critical thinking skills that make her so adaptable as a marketing professional.” 

For Kragt, another key takeaway from Willard’s classes was the importance of relationship-building and maintaining professional connections. “Professor Willard reinforced the value of building a strong professional network, a lesson that has had a lasting impact on my career,” she said. 

Just as Willard predicted, relationship building proved advantageous, leading to Kragt landing a job at Grand Rapids’ WOOD TV as a digital marketing specialist before she received her diploma. “While I was at Broadway Grand Rapids, I worked regularly with an account executive from WOOD TV8, and that experience was beneficial when I applied for a position with the station as a digital marketing coordinator,” said Kragt. 

Kragt spent one year at WOOD TV8, where she collaborated with businesses and worked closely with sales account executives to manage marketing campaigns. 

Her personal and professional life then took a substantial turn when she boarded a plane for Okinawa, Japan, to be with her husband, who is stationed there with the Marine Corps. 

In true fashion, she got a job long before she arrived in Japan. “Thanks to the combination of my professional experience and education, I secured a position with Mediatti Broadband Communications two months before arriving in Okinawa,” she said. 

She currently serves as the marketing manager for Mediatti, the exclusive provider of internet and cable TV services to the island’s Marine, Navy, Army and Air Force bases. She oversees a wide range of marketing initiatives that drive sales and revenue, strengthen partnerships with community organizations and serve as a bridge between the company and the military community. “I am the only one in my department, so I have the unique opportunity to work in multiple areas of marketing, from content creation and digital advertising to branding, communications and community engagement,” she said. 

It’s a dynamic role that Kragt finds extremely rewarding. “I enjoy serving this unique community of service members and their families and helping them stay connected to their loved ones back home,” she said. “Military members and their families make significant sacrifices, and it is rewarding to be part of a company whose mission is centered on supporting them,” she said. “Building relationships within the community and creating marketing initiatives that provide value to our customers is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work.” 

According to Kragt, her education at Davenport played a significant role in preparing her for a career in marketing and gave her the confidence to pursue the opportunities that have shaped her career. 

“Davenport provided me with a strong foundation and prepared me to become a well-rounded marketer capable of adapting to a variety of responsibilities,” she said. “The broad skillset I developed at Davenport has been invaluable in helping me succeed and contribute to my organization’s goals.”

To learn how you can Fuel Your Future at Davenport, click here.