Meet Notre Dame Mendoza’s MBA Class Of 2023

P&Q: Last year, you launched a Frontlines in America program where MBAs work with underserved populations. Talk to us about what is involved in these projects and some of your Frontlines projects will be this year?   

Sweeney: “This year, Frontlines in America partnered with three outstanding organizations: Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, Coalfield Development in West Virginia, and the Gary Comer Youth Center in Chicago. Each of these organizations serves vulnerable populations including former gang-members, recovering addicts, and at-risk youth.

Each partner works with the Meyer Business on the Frontlines team to develop a scope of work that leverages the business skills of our MBA students and addresses a critical need for the partner organization. For example, Coalfield Development serves as an incubator and investor in social enterprises serving Appalachia while providing employment, education, and personal development opportunities for team members. They asked the Frontlines in America team to examine the commercial viability of developing a tourism ecosystem in Mingo County, WV to help drive economic activity while showcasing the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. Through intensive research and collaborative problem solving virtually and in-person in the community, the team provided a set of pragmatic recommendations around support, strategy, and partnerships for Coalfield that are already being implemented to help develop the ecosystem and drive employment.”

P&Q: What have your employers told you are the two biggest strengths of your graduates and how does your programming bolster these differentiators?

Sweeney: “Employers look to hire Mendoza graduates for a wide variety of characteristics and skills but two that often stick out are the ability to build relationships and business problem solving skills. Building relationships goes hand-in-hand with an intentionally small, close-knit community. This emphasis naturally attracts students that are eager to get to know everyone in the program. Likewise, the strong focus on the powerful alumni network gives students the opportunity to develop relationships in industry and gain experience building connections while in the program.

Business problem-solving skills are developed initially through a core problem-solving class and then reinforced through a range of experiential learning opportunities that require students to draw on practical problem-solving to address critical issues in real time. This layered approach helps students learn fundamentals and then exercise their problem-solving muscles throughout the program.”

P&Q: What are your two most popular courses among MBAs? What makes it so unique and so attractive to MBAs?

Sweeney: “Courses that encourage practical application and real-world client service are always attractive but add in a trip to Napa Valley and the opportunity to partner with an elite brand and it’s no wonder that students love Wendy Angst’s Innovation & Design Thinking course. This experiential learning course employs the principles of design thinking as it partners with Chappellet Winery to provide strategic insights and new ideas. Through the experience, students learn about the complexities of one of the most competitive consumer industries while considering the strategic considerations of a successful multi-generational business.

Another popular course is Seed Investor Practicum. Through this dual-track course, students spend time analyzing case studies and learning from a seasoned practitioner while simultaneously partnering with angel investor groups or VCs on live projects that examine investment opportunities, perform due diligence, or participate in ongoing company reviews. Students spend a focus week in person collaborating with the investors to kick off the course, followed by seven weeks in the dual track. This direct engagement provides an inside view to how investors make critical seed decisions.”

5 REASONS TO CONSIDER THE MENDOZA MBA

1) Business On The Frontlines: “The key part of the Mendoza MBA that led to my decision to attend Notre Dame was the Meyer Business on the Frontlines Program (BOTFL). In the program, students are given the opportunity to leverage their business acumen to address real issues in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. I realize how much of a privilege it is to pursue an MBA; the opportunity to make a tangible difference while I furthered my education was of utmost importance to me. BOTFL serves as a direct medium for students to go beyond the classroom and “grow the good in business” through their studies and travel.”
 Dan Chapman (’23)

2) Culture: “The first things that come to mind for most people are the campus, football games, Rudy, and of course a top-notch educational experience. But it is the Community that leaves the biggest impression and truly drives this school to create a “home away from home” atmosphere. The energy, the positivity, and the openness of everyone in the cohort is electric. Everyone is curious and everyone is willing to help no matter what the topic, venture, or class. It is truly exciting and something that I value most when someone asks, “Are you enjoying being back in school”?”
Christian Montgomery (’23)

3) The Mission: “There is a stigma attached to the business industry – one that is tied to ruthlessness, a singular desire to make money, and general greed. As a person who consistently works against this stereotype, it was more than refreshing to find a business school with a motto such a Mendoza’s “Grow the Good in Business.” That mission was the main draw to attend Notre Dame. I wanted to join the crusade to create a new understanding of what many think of as the “business world.” I believe that there is so much good that can be accomplished via the many businesses that populate the globe. I believe it is possible to employ our creative potential in such a way that brings value to both shareholders and the global communities we serve. At Mendoza, it is made clear in each and every class that our goal is to become the catalyst for good in our respective industries through integrity, kindness, honesty, and hard work. The accompanying phrase – Tender, Strong, and True – is also ingrained into our curriculum. These words act as a guide for how each student should live and work while attending and after graduating from Notre Dame.”
Tanique Philogene (’23)

4) Leadership Launch: “The Leadership Launch stands out to me so far at Mendoza. This is a 4-day intensive leadership program designed to create a strong foundation for your journey at Mendoza. My most memorable experience was when we were asked to bring a value artifact and tell a story around it. My colleagues brought artifacts ranging from picture frames to a cello. This helped me better appreciate the diversity of our journey and it reinforced the fact that we all bring something to the table though we are from different backgrounds with varying experiences.”
Funmi Owopetu (’23)

5) Intramural Football: “My favorite activity so far at Mendoza has been competing alongside my classmates in Notre Dame’s intramural flag football league. After a devastating double overtime semi-final loss – with a chance to play inside Notre Dame Stadium on the line – we are counting down the days till next season.”
Dan Chapman (’23)

ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS

“As part of the admissions process, you will have to put together a 4-slide deck about yourself. Have fun with it! It is not meant to be a professional pitch. This is your chance to show the admissions committee who you are outside of your resume and your essays. Play up your other interests, show off your personality, and include some fun photos.”
Katie Kern (’23)

“My advice to future applicants is simple: consider what you have done to try and improve not only yourself but also the world around you. Mendoza is looking for bright people who wish to make a positive impact on the world. I advise you to highlight how you have evolved, or made an impact in your career. Remember that an act as simple as mentoring a colleague, leading a project, or serving your community can have a great impact.”
Tanique Philogene (’23)

“I told compelling stories, both in my essays and during my interviews, that were consistent with my personal brand and aligned with Mendoza’s mission of growing the good in business. Each story included a problem that I faced, how I tackled the problem, the action I took to resolve the problem, and the end result. Within the framework, every story’s overarching theme consisted of my three foundational values, including courage, perseverance, and service to a greater good. Having a clear structure helped me feel confident in my application process and gave me an edge at Mendoza.”
Molly Lawrence (’21)

CLASS PROFILE

The Class of 2023 features 143 students who bring a 670 average GMAT to South Bend. Women make up 35% of the class, with international students and underrepresented minorities accounting for 35% and 7% of first-year students respectively. Overall, 23 countries are represented in the class (including the United States).

MBA Student	Hometown	Undergrad Alma Mater	Last Employer
Temitayo Ade-Oshifogun	London, UK	University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	Daplabs
Raghav Agarwal	Mumbai, India	The Institute Chartered Accountants of India	Validus Wealth Private Limited
Napoleón Astorga Solano	Managua, Nicaragua	Universidad Americana	Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI)
Dan Chapman	Toronto, Ontario	University of Western Ontario	CBRE Limited
Annie Crider	Jefferson City, MO	University of Notre Dame	Diocese of Jefferson City
Kyle Fiebernitz	Bancroft, MI	Grand Valley State University	U.S. Navy
Katie Kern	Barrington, IL	University of Wisconsin	Willis Towers Watson
Natalie Kvochak	Aliso Viejo, CA	Villanova University	NV5
Christian Montgomery	Redding, CA	University of Oregon	adidas
Funmi Owopetu	Osun State, Nigeria	University of Ibadan	Innovation, De-risking, Enterprise, and Acceleration (IDEA) Center
Tanique Philogene	Silver Spring, MD	Loyola University of Maryland	Morgan Stanley
Chloe Yang	Taiyuan, China	McGill University	IG Wealth Management, Power Corporation of Canada