Bryant M. Adams

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“I’m an epicurious globetrotter who thrives on building relationships and constantly stimulating the mind, body and soul.”

Hometown: New Market, Alabama

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am firm believer one should order entrees as appetizers and never finish a meal without dessert!

Undergraduate School and Major:

Alabama A&M University, Electrical Engineering

Go Bulldogs!

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Army, Captain

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Kenan-Flagler’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? UNC Kenan-Flagler offers an Analytical Skills Workshop over the summer before first-year classes start. I am coming from a non-business background, so having an opportunity to familiarize myself with subjects such as accounting and finance prior to the core curriculum starting was extremely important for me. Furthermore, the program’s STEM designation directly lends itself to my interest in data analytics.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Kenan-Flagler? I’m excited to participate in the Pride Club and Black Student Association. My focus is to create a space for queer Black youth to see themselves in a top MBA program.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment to date was commanding an Arctic Airborne Reconnaissance Troop in Alaska. I led my unit through multiple artic airborne operations as well as a rigorous pre-deployment training cycle. Through it all, I was able to serve my country openly gay with supportive senior leaders, peers and teammates.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? Aside from making an obvious career change from the military to civilian life, I also am prioritizing my family and mental health. I am from the Southeast United States, where my family still resides. Therefore, I have been spending more time with them. Lastly, I am making a more concerted effort to meditate daily and finding solace in some of the remaining stillness of life brought about by quarantine.

What is the most important quality of a leader…and why is it so important to success? I believe the best leaders are self-aware and able to utilize their team to fill the gaps in their own shortcomings. Thus, creating a team environment where everyone is heard and has a seat at the table to make decisions.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? Intellectual curiosity and career change. After graduating, I want to be a human capital consultant.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Michigan Ross and Carnegie-Mellon Tepper

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Kenan-Flagler’s MBA program? Start the process of fully actualizing who you are and your values as early as possible. Understand your brand and what you will bring to the program that is unique. Go deep and sit with those thoughts because that’s what admissions wants to witness.

DON’T MISS: MEET UNC’S KENAN-FLAGLER MBA CLASS OF 2023