Adam Bowling

Texas Christian University Neeley School of Business

“A lawyer that helps businesses navigate global challenges—and enjoys adventure travel too!” 

Hometown: Marietta, Georgia

Fun Fact About Yourself: During a trip to Australia, I hiked across the top span of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Georgia, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health; Stanford University, Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Prior to beginning my MBA program, I was an Associate Attorney at DLA Piper LLP.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of TCU Neeley’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I was impressed by the emphasis that TCU places on experiential learning opportunities. In particular, the new Horned Frog Investment Network powered by the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Neeley School of Business stood out as an opportunity to leverage TCU’s business expertise in support of active deals. MBA students help source and evaluate investment opportunities, developing critical skills for a career working with corporate transactions. Coming from a legal background, this program provides an ideal platform to experience transactions from a different perspective, broaden my work history and strengthen my professional network.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at TCU Neeley, and why? I really enjoy the variety of case competitions hosted by the TCU Neeley School of Business. I just recently participated in the 8th Annual PepsiCo MBA Invitational Business Case Competition, finishing in Second Place. Each year, TCU Neeley partners with PepsiCo to host this unique competition, in which MBA students are assigned to teams that include students from a mix of different, invited universities. Before classes even began, TCU partnered with Dell Technologies for a case competition featuring our cohort of incoming MBA students. In the final round, my team was able to pitch new marketing strategies to a panel of top leaders at the company’s offices in Austin, Texas. I find case competitions to be a valuable way to take a deeper dive into a variety of industries and different functional areas, practice working with teams to develop new problem-solving strategies, and hone presentation skills. I am already looking forward to my next case competition in November, where I will be part of the team representing TCU.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Near the end of 2020, I joined DLA Piper LLP and was part of the legal team advising a major COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer in its vaccine rollout. It was a great opportunity to integrate my prior legal and public health training, and support a critical project.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I think it’s important to read a major newspaper (like the Wall Street Journal or Washington Post) daily to keep updated on current events and market trends.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into TCU Neeley’s MBA program? Our cohort of MBA students is a tight-knit community, and in addition to the formal curriculum, the program is strongly influenced by what you learn from your peers. Before diving too deeply into particular admissions requirements, I would encourage a potential applicant to consider what unique experience you would contribute to the cohort, which will help you present a compelling application as well. (But also—good luck studying for your standardized exams!)

DON’T MISS MEET THE TCU NEELEY MBA CLASS OF 2024