Kimberly Philips, Ann Shanley

Kimberly Newman Philips, 23, and Ann Shanley, 26, graduates of the University of Nevada, Reno's masters in business administration program, were among the first nationwide to pass a new MBA exam from the International Certification Institute.

Philips, who also earned a degree in finance at UNR in 2001, and Shanley, who also earned a business administration degree in 1998, were among 304 people representing more than 160 schools who attempted the exam in May.