2016 Best MBAs: Lauren A. McGlory, Emory Goizueta

Lauren McGlory

Lauren A. McGlory

 

Emory University, Goizueta Business School         

“Her charisma, organization and management skills, and the respect that she showed and demanded of her peers easily makes her the best student leader that I have worked with in my nearly 12 years at Emory University.”

Age: 28

Hometown: Detroit, Michigan

Education: University of Virginia, BA in Psychology and History

Where did you work before enrolling in business school? Teach for America Corps Member – lead Kindergarten teacher and eventually becoming an administrator (Instructional Coach) at Excel Academy in Washington, DC.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2015? PepsiCo Frito-Lay, Dallas

Where will you be working after graduation? PepsiCo Frito-Lay, Associate Marketing Manager

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Graduate Business School President

Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK)

Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow (full scholarship)

Dean’s List (Spring 2015, Fall 2015)

Inside Goizueta Logistics Chair

Goizueta Marketing Strategy Consultancy Team Lead

Teaching Assistant (Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016)

Marketing Club

GWIB

Black MBA Association

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am the most proud of my work as the Graduate Business Association (GBA) President who serves over 400 business graduate students and oversees a 15-person board. I knew I had to make a lasting mark since I was the first Black female in this role.

When entering the position, I saw that the GBA could be more efficient and valuable to the business school. We just need to revamp the strategy and structure to ensure a solid foundation for future GBA boards. Instead of having one executive vice president in charge of 40+ organizations, I organized the groups under their respective VPs. For example, the Marketing Club would report to the VP of Career Development. This provided more communication between clubs and the GBA which serves as the umbrella organization. Next, I developed how we determine our calendar that the new GBA board used. We begin by collecting feedback from classmates through focus groups and in-depth interviews. We synthesize our findings and develop programs and events for the upcoming year. Lastly, I created a thorough transition between the outgoing and incoming board members that included mentoring discussions, handbook that detailed all decisions and positions, and a retreat activity that highlighted the pressures and pulls of GBA positions. This year ended with an increase in engagement, events, and communication because of these changes.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? When I was a kindergarten teacher, one of my students who had special needs could not even spell her name when 98% of my students entered Kindergarten with the ability to spell their name. I had her in my writing and reading group which consisted of two other children with special needs. Daily, we would work on letter sounds and writing. By the end of the year, this student was able to write a full length story about her day (with periods and question marks!) Nothing can really compare to teaching a child how to express herself.

Favorite MBA Courses? Groups and Teams, Negotiations, Entrepreneurship, Product and Brand, and Multinational Firms

Why did you choose this business school? I wanted a business school that would know my name, had results, and that was in a major city. As a career switcher (moving from Education to Corporate America!), I needed a business school that had results in successfully placing students for internships and full-time positions. Emory is #1 in providing this. I wanted personal attention so I could find the right internship/full-time position. It was simple – Emory fit my needs and wants.

What did you enjoy most about business school? I enjoy that you can take risks and build your confidence. Also, it does not hurt that you have many opportunities to travel the world. I just returned from Israel and Mexico City.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from business school? The biggest lesson I learned is that despite my background as an educator, I had something to offer. I always thought those who are really good at numbers should take the lead. I learned through my core team and other group experiences that people with backgrounds like me can take the lead and successfully deliver.

What was the most surprising thing about business school? I did not know what to really expect, so I was ready for anything!

What was the hardest part of business school? Knowing when to say no. There are always many events or organizations to get involved in, but you have to focus on what is important to yourself.

What’s your best advice to an applicant to your school? For applications: make sure your application gives a 360 degree view of yourself. Think through your stories and make sure you are highlighting stories that are unique and make you stand out.

When selecting between schools: Look at the other students who are visiting the school…can you imagine a class with them? Do you feel that you fit in? Also, pay attention to how students interact with each other. That gives you insight into what your community will be.

I knew I wanted to go to business school when…bad decisions were being made for our students based solely on finances and I needed the business acumen to provide me with the credibility to be heard.”

If I hadn’t gone to business school, I would be…a principal of an elementary charter school.”

What are your long-term professional goals? In 20-25 years, I would like to return to education in a different way – as the dean of a school. But before that, I plan to sharpen my strategy and marketing skills at a Fortune 500 company while continue my fight for quality education through serving on school board.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? May sound cheesy, but my mother. Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, you often get bogged down by negative images and stand against terrible statistics. My mother ALWAYS encouraged me to push for something more. She showed me that persistence and confidence is everything.

Fun fact about yourself: I have an irrational fear of sunflowers…

Favorite book: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (series)

Favorite movie: The Matrix

Favorite musical performer: Haim

Favorite television show: 11.22.63 – with James Franco

Favorite vacation spot: South Beach…feeling the heat! J

Hobbies? Meme Creator, music festival lover, volleyball, softball

What made Lauren such an invaluable addition to the class of 2016?

“Lauren’s impeccable leadership, academic excellence, and service to the community make her second to none for this honor. She has been a phenomenal and idyllic representation of our community and is deserving of this recognition.

I had the opportunity to witness Lauren’s leadership first hand as the advisor to the Graduate Business Association (GBA). Lauren is currently President of the GBA serving over 400 students. Her charisma, organization and management skills, and the respect that she showed and demanded of her peers easily makes her the best student leader that I have worked with in my nearly 12 years at Emory University. Lauren’s vision and the professionalism in which she executed the vision speak to her detail orientation and to her commitment to get the job done! Lauren’s leadership is not only recognized by us at Goiuzueta, but also by the Graduate Business Forum (GBF) which is a global network of student leaders. Lauren’s leadership impacted this group in such a way last year as she represented us in China that she has been asked to be a session lead at the global conference this April in Switzerland to other attendees.

Rigor is one of our Core Values at Goizueta. For many reasons, Lauren is the living embodiment of this Core Value. Her rigorous approach to academic pursuits is consistent with those of her leadership style. In both areas, Lauren demanded the best of herself and of her team. As such, she continues to excel academically and has consistently been part of the Dean’s List which recognizes the top 15 percent of her class. Additionally, Lauren received a fellowship from the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management.

Lauren has served the Goizueta community and positively impacted the Atlanta community during her two years as a student. From meetings with our Dean about the student and academic experience to working with student organizations to serve those in need in Atlanta, Lauren has been and inspires her peers to be a change agent for our community. I am proud to note that her combination of expertise has afforded her with a full-time job opportunity with PepsiCo.” — Corey M. Dortch, PhD, Director, Student Life and Engagement, Emory University, Goizueta Business School         

DON’T MISS: CLASS OF 2016: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST GRADUATING MBAS

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