Sam McFadden, MBA‘21
One of the hardest parts of leaving my former job to enter the Kelley Full-Time MBA Program was saying goodbye to the people I had spent so much time working with. Over the course of ten years working in a small government office, my coworkers came to feel like a sort of second family. While I had heard that Kelley had a very close-knit and collaborative feel, I wondered whether I would be able to find the same level of connection and support I was leaving behind. Now just a few weeks into my second semester, I can emphatically answer “YES!”
At Kelley, I have found myself surrounded by students, faculty, and staff whose mission is to be their best selves while helping others become their best selves at the same time. For example, during the CORE in the fall, several students organized study tables that were led by fellow students volunteering their time just for the sake of helping each other get through challenging classes. Kelleys also sought to help one another and the community during the Faculty Auction put on by Kelley Women this fall. For this event, students, faculty and staff donated their time and talents to be auctioned off in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington and raised over $25,000 in the process.
As I listened to the debate between the two potential MBAA Slates (student leadership groups) running for student government election, I noticed that within each of their platforms was the idea that Kelleys are best when we work together – that we are a family. I couldn’t be happier that I have found this home, and I will forever be proud to be a member of the Kelley family.