Beyond the Degree: Real-World ROI from Seattle U’s MLS Alumni

MLS Alumni Background

Anne Bayerkohler, a director of cybersecurity, standards, and innovation, completed her MLS  with a focus in compliance and risk management in 2021. In 1998, she began working in payment cybersecurity for some of the largest service providers, and she has since worked with the PCI Security Standards Council, which develops data security standards for safe payment processing. Sensing a shift in her industry, Anne decided she wanted to better understand the legal side of cybersecurity. She chose Seattle University based on recommendations from SU professors. Anne believes pursuing an MLS from Seattle U is one of the best career decisions she has made.

Danielle Schafer-Gardner works in privacy and data ethics. Her background is in marketing project management and adtech. Like Anne, Danielle saw changes beginning in her industry, particularly with the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation. She decided to better align her career with the regulatory aspects and technical mechanisms of the industry. While at SU, Anne focused on data privacy and cybersecurity. In her career, she has transitioned to privacy program management and sits on a data ethics team.

Academic Experience at Seattle U

Kelli encouraged the program alums to speak about the academic experiences at Seattle U that best prepared them for the roles they currently hold.

Discussing the curriculum, Danielle emphasized how legal courses, such as contract law and legal writing, changed the way she thinks; learning alongside a cohort of students with a diverse set of skills and professional backgrounds broadened her perspective. The experience allowed her to see how different people in different industries evaluate cybersecurity frameworks.

Anne further detailed the benefits of courses such as legal writing. She learned to be more objective—a trait that has helped her in her career. Though she brings passion to her work, she recognizes that leadership in an organization wants to hear objective, actionable data.

Seattle U’s integration of integrity and ethics throughout the entire program—“Compliance with a conscience”—was particularly helpful to Anne when, as compliance director for a fast growing start-up, she implemented an anonymous reporting hotline.

Career Transformation

Moving the conversation to career outcomes, Kelli mentioned that prospective students often want to know what career outcomes they can expect with an MLS from Seattle University. She explained that a JD is not for everyone and mostly prepares students for litigation. MLS students, like JD students, learn to read, understand, and synthesize the law, but an MLS degree allows graduates to take the law into their careers.

Anne saw a “huge salary bump” after completing the MLS program. At the time she pursued an MLS, she worked in audit compliance as a compliance director, and once she gained a legal background through the MLS program, she requested—and received—compensation that reflected her knowledge and experience. According to Anne, she realized a return on her educational investment in about a year and half. She also mentioned that the company she worked for offered tuition reimbursement, something she believes prospective students should explore with their current employer.

Building on Anne’s points about legal knowledge and ROI, Kelli explained that a JD is about four times the cost of an MLS. She reminded prospective students that though an MLS is “very much law school” and just as rigorous as a JD, the length of the program is a little shorter, and the ROI can be higher.

Danielle, post-MLS, sits on a data ethics team, of which many of the members are attorneys. The original job listing for the role requested applicants with a Bachelor’s in a relevant field, such as law or business, and with a JD or equivalent combination of education. Her MLS, combined with her background, perfectly positioned her for this role.

Danielle explains that as the field of data ethics continues to grow, the MLS provides that foundational understanding needed for individuals to make the most impact in this area. While certifications are one route people choose, the MLS provides a broader education and, thus, does not lock a graduate into one career path.

Journey from Compliance Professional to Strategic Leader

Kelli asked the panel an essential question about the impact of their MLS education: Is there anything they realize they do better in their professional roles because of the SU program?

According to Anne, everything she does is better because the MLS program was so comprehensive and exposed her to multiple verticals of thought. She studied and learned from people working in healthcare, banking, and other industries. With an MLS, she does not feel limited to careers in cybersecurity, and she is still taking what she learned at SU to continue to learn.

Kelli described hearing from many alumni about the foundational curriculum. The program teaches students to research, synthesize, and communicate about the law. The law will change; what is really essential is knowing how to research and to take the lessons from the program and continue to grow.

Danielle and Kelli agreed that a benefit of the program is being able to speak the same legal language as in-house counsel and other colleagues who are lawyers. Danielle further described how the MLS program prepared her to connect with the chief information and security officer at her new organization.

Advice for Prospective Students

Kelli asked: If you could give yourself some advice, what do you wish you had known before starting the program?

For Anne, the Capstone intimidated her, but everything she learned culminated into a beautiful package at the end. Students should not be afraid of the Capstone. Anne also wished she had not taken so long to start an MLS. Everyone in her cohort is doing better professionally than when they started.

Danielle emphasized the importance of being bold and curious. She encouraged students to network, leveraging the .edu email address to connect with people in their current industry or the industry they’re aiming for.

Following up on Danielle’s comments about networking, Anne explained that though she was not in the same cohort as Danielle, they are in the same network because of Seattle U and feel comfortable reaching out to one another.

According to Kelli, Seattle U helps students and alumni stay connected, including through online groups that share job listings and similar career information.

Upcoming Dates for Spring 2026

Kelli wrapped up the conversation by announcing important dates for the Spring 2026 term. Applications are considered through early December 2025, but scholarship applications are due by November 3, 2025. Courses begin January 20, 2026.

Compliance with a Conscience

As a final note, Danielle reiterated that SU creates a very supportive network. She believes that the program’s motto—“Compliance with a conscience”—is truly lived at Seattle University.