Meet The Kenan-Flagler MBA Class of 2017

Far removed from the hustle of New York and the bustle of Silicon Valley, Chapel Hill is just 20 minutes away from the famed Research Triangle Park, home to nearly 200 high tech firms. And this strategic locale (the school is also only a 140 mile drive to banking hub Charlotte) is just one more reason why Kenan-Flagler is among the MBA world’s best-kept secrets.

Leadership development, however, remains the school’s calling card. It is the foundation of Kenan-Flagler’s curriculum – and the lens used by faculty and students to approach business issues. Think of Kenan-Flagler as a coaching culture. During every course, students practice leadership skills, providing feedback to peers and evaluating their own weaknesses. Even more, the school employs 23 executive coaches (one for every twelve full-MBAs), who work with the 56 student teams at established touch points throughout every quarter. Kenan-Flagler even offers a unique leadership immersion capstone course, which includes Apprentice-style team competitions, along with an app that acts as a portal for the program’s leadership content and coursework.

For students like Dipanshu Singh, who has already designed tools, managed teams, and trained clients in the telecom industry, this approach was the perfect complement to his engineering and global business background. “I chose UNC because I believe that the MBA program with its strong focus on experiential learning and a world-class leadership program, will provide me the perfect environment to become a well-rounded professional.”

Kenan-Flagler, like many smaller full-time MBA programs, also sets itself apart by its tight-knit community. And this starts even before the first quarter. Each July, the school holds a three-week analytical skills workshop (ASW), a paid refresher training on quant topics, career development, and applications like Excel and PowerPoint. This summer, 180 of 276 members of the Class of 2017 attended. Along with helping the class to jell sooner, the course also made it easier for students absorb institutional values, says Angela Cai, a Charlotte native who is pursuing a joint MD/MBA. “After only three weeks on campus, I already feel like my classmates and I, as well as the administrators and students, are building a community in which we all want to succeed and work together.”

Indeed, the Class of 2017 has already been struck by the program’s “verve” as Bo Stump, who previously worked in the motion pictures industry, calls it. Stephanie Graham, a Wellesley grad and political consultant, describes this “verve” as a “supportive, diverse, and open community.” For Brett McFarland, a financial analyst, the school’s “southern hospitality” has been a big comfort, particularly after re-locating from faraway Houston.

Looking ahead, Kenan-Flagler’s 2017 Class may not fully see the path, but they know their ultimate destination.  “My main goal is to achieve the “transformation” that is stressed during orientation week,” says Stump. “I want to grow into a better leader, student, professional and, ultimately, a better person.”

At the same time, Cai has already embraced the ethos of a true leader: Don’t be afraid and make a difference. “Ultimately, I want to graduate knowing that I left a positive legacy to UNC Kenan-Flagler and the UNC School of Medicine community and grew by chasing opportunities that made me uncomfortable and challenged my weaknesses.”

To read profiles of incoming Kenan-Flagler students – along with their advice on tackling GMAT, applications, and interviews – click on the student links below.

Angela Cai / Charlotte, NC 

Stephanie Graham / Tyngsboro, MA

Brett McFarland / Houston, TX 

Dipanshu Singh / Kolkata, India 

Bo Stump / Charlotte, NC 

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