Neris Archambault

Neris Archambault, jersey number 3 (ice hockey) and number 18 (lacrosse), is a graduate student-athlete obtaining her Master of Business Administration at Norwich University Online.

You've recently played your 100th game with Norwich, which is amazing. What does that mean to you as an athlete and a Norwich student?

I didn't even realize it was my hundredth game until my coaches brought it up to me. Thinking back, it's pretty cool. It's just a culmination of all the hard work I've put into this program and team, and it's an honor. Not many people get that opportunity.

As team captain, you lead on and off the ice. How does Norwich's online program help you balance your academics with the responsibilities of leading the team?

There was a lot of talk about leadership in the first class of my MBA program. The coursework has given me a deeper understanding of leadership and its principles like decision-making and team dynamics. For example, we have discussions on organizational structure and motivational strategies that help me recognize different leadership styles and different personalities and how to bring out the best in each of my teammates. My classmates are from all over [the world], so working with them has improved my ability to collaborate and better understand different perspectives and skills. Those things are essential when leading a team of players from all over the world. The coursework has set me up to bring out the best in my teammates.

Would you say that, as a captain, your degree closely aligns with things you apply daily?

I would. My roommate is in the leadership program as well. Her major is leadership, so she goes even more in-depth. She brings some cool stuff to the table and our captain’s meetings that she learns in class, which is great. It's easier to do the coursework when it applies to real-life things you've dealt with or are currently dealing with.

What drew you to Norwich's online program?

The alumni connection. Norwich has always been a very familiar place. Both my parents went here, and my uncle went here. As a fun fact, my dad just got inducted into the Norwich Hall of Fame [for football], which is pretty cool. My uncle is in the Hall of Fame as well. He and my father were teammates and co-captains. My grandfather is also a Norwich alumnus. Growing up, I've always been here for alumni weekend. When I committed to Norwich, it felt right. As I had an extra year of [sports] eligibility from COVID, I always assumed I would be coming back here for a fifth year. I cannot stress how great the alumni connections are. Two years ago, I received a finance internship from just a Norwich alumni connection.

The connection and networking opportunities at Norwich are tremendous. I'm currently finding a job and reaching out to several alumni from all over to help me find a job for next year.

Knowing that you were planning on a fifth year, how did you select an MBA as the graduate degree you wanted to pursue?

It was a mix of the fact that I had a lot of undergrad credits in business management and that my dad got his MBA. I saw how useful it had been for him. It made the most sense to continue with an MBA rather than study something completely different.

Do you see yourself doing something that would require your MBA in the future?

My goal is to enter pharmaceutical or medical device sales in Boston. Higher education will help me secure better positions, and it certainly won't hurt!

How has the online platform at Norwich allowed you to stay engaged with your coursework while managing travel, training, and games?

Everyone in my grad program has a whole separate job in the professional world. Norwich is very understanding of that and very lenient regarding real-life impacts. We are not required to meet three days a week at specific times like I would on campus. Online gives you all your work for this week and everything you need to know to complete it weekly. That makes it easier to use my schedule. I also think hockey has helped me with time management.

I've always been a student-athlete, even in high school. Having sports commitments helps me do my work because if I have too much time, then that's when it won’t get done. I tell myself, "I have practice here, film here, and then a team meal after. If I don't get my homework done by X, then it won't get done." Having a full schedule helps me break it down.

As a dual sport athlete (ice hockey and lacrosse), have you ever felt overwhelmed adding a graduate program on top of that?

Good for you if you haven't been overwhelmed and are in college! My hockey and lacrosse coaches are very accepting and understanding that we're here for school first. Whether that means I have to miss an obligation for sports to meet with a professor (which has happened) or take extra time to meet with one of my coaches to help me lay out my schedule, they have always been more than willing to help me.

What has been the most significant advantage of earning your degree online?

I started the program this past fall, and I'm trying to find a job next year. My grad program is about a year and a half, so while looking for a job and potentially getting one, I can finish my MBA simultaneously. If it were in person, I'd have to decide between finding a job next year or completing the MBA first. I like that I can knock out both at the same time.

You mentioned earlier that Norwich has been part of your family for generations, including your parents, uncle, and grandfather. What does it mean to you to carry on that legacy?

It's an honor. My grandfather still comes up for games wearing all this Norwich gear (that still fits them from college), which is awesome. Making my parents proud, as well as all the other alumni, is an honor within itself.

How does your experience stack up compared to the stories your family has shared with you?

Since COVID happened while I was a student, I had a unique experience to share with them. Many things changed or were different from what they had gone through. I told my dad about how we had to stay in our rooms for quite a long time during freshman year [for quarantine]. He said it was the same as being confined to quarters when he was in the Corps of Cadets, and it was considered the biggest punishment back in the day. He gave me kudos for being able to handle it for so long. Norwich handled COVID well compared to other schools.

What would you say to someone who's never heard of Norwich's online programs?

Norwich designed online programs for those professionals working in the real world and student-athletes like me who need flexibility while earning their degrees. It's structured to allow students to engage within the boundaries of their own schedule. Even though it's online, the program maintains a strong faculty presence. My experience has been that most professors are available 24/7, and they always give helpful feedback and guidance.

For an online degree, why Norwich and not somewhere else?

I’ll go back to the alumni connection. It's just strong. Norwich has a strong reputation for leadership development, especially with its military side. They have a long history of producing strategic and disciplined leaders. I knew this program would push me in ways that would benefit me, my career, and my development as a team captain.

Do you have a five- or ten-year goal?

I know for sure that I want to live in Boston. I'm from Massachusetts, where my parents live now. In the long term, I'd like to grow into another leadership role, whether in sales, business development, or even opening my own business. I've really enjoyed leading as a team captain; I think doing the same in the "real" world would be amazing.

What advice would you give other student-athletes who are considering adding an online graduate degree from Norwich onto their plate?

100% do it. It’s about balancing the grad program with athletics. If you stay disciplined and organized, it's 100% doable. Prioritize your schedule, plan ahead, and productively use any downtime like travel or recovery days. Ultimately, you will have yet another thing to be proud of.

Do your jersey numbers have any significance to you?

I was always number three in high school for hockey, so that number continued into college. For lacrosse, 18 was available, so I went with 18.