Running her course
In seven years as a Rambler, Mimi Reimers (BS '21, MBA '22, MS ’24) became a 12-time all-conference runner, including four conference championships and five runner-up finishes. While representing the Ramblers in cross country and track, Reimers spent her undergraduate years studying biology and neuroscience and a fifth year earning an MBA. She returned for a master's in marketing after finishing her NCAA eligibility. Now working as a senior specialist in strategic intelligence and innovation marketing for Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc., a calling found in Quinlan’s graduate programs drives her: helping consumers enjoy more nutritious foods.
Prepared for her future
Reimers leaves Quinlan with tools to be a difference maker in the food industry. Through the MBA and master's in marketing programs, she blends her scientific foundation with consumer understanding. However, Reimers says the true value of her education goes beyond what's taught in textbooks.
"My Quinlan degrees felt like the missing link to put lessons into practice. I spent four years learning how the world works on a scientific level but struggled to apply it. Alongside the business fundamentals, professors challenged us to ask questions and juxtapose the role of business and academics in preparing us for our goals," Reimers said.
She points to classes taught by Clifford Shultz, Eve Geroulis, and Paul Petricca, who inspire students to learn beyond their textbooks.
"Every day I leave class motivated, now I get to put that to action," Reimers said. "From being a student-athlete to my coursework, my seven years at Loyola empower me with high aspirations for my career."
Reimers is dedicated to making meaningful contributions to her company. Now, that means bridging the gap between science and consumer understanding while becoming an effective communicator within a strong workplace culture. Her Loyola journey ignited her commitment to a larger purpose: catalyzing change on a global scale.
Seizing opportunity
Reimers' journey at Quinlan started during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Among the pandemic’s dramatic changes, my season abruptly ended,"Reimers said. "As I grappled with my plans for the future, I discovered an interest in consumer behavior."
Reimers seized the opportunity to pivot her education and pursue the MBA program at the Quinlan School of Business. Despite the subject shift, Reimers embraced her scientific foundation.
"I didn't have any business knowledge, but my classmates immediately encouraged me to share my ideas," Reimers said.
As she progressed through courses and built connections with classmates, she knew she was in the right place. Learning from her classmates proved as valuable as the coursework.
"Everything was new. I was truly just having fun learning."
Joy in learning
In 2022, Reimers started as an intern at Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition while pursuing her master's in marketing. The Quinlan graduate experience immersed her in a community bound by that same thirst for knowledge.
"Returning to Loyola after finishing my athletic eligibility shifted my identity again. The passion I had for my internship added purpose to my curiosity. My peers were as energized by learning as I was," Reimers said.
The type of learning felt different from her undergraduate courses, too.
"It was collaborative," Reimers said. "We went beyond theory and learned from real-world contexts, thinking analytically, and approaching challenges strategically. That aspect of my education is still one of my favorite parts of my job today."
Empowered by her education, Reimers translates lessons from the classroom immediately into practice.
"It shows the curriculum prepares us for the world and reflects the commitment to challenge us to be the next generation of leaders," Reimers said.
