James Cogman

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

Hometown: Accokeek, MD

Undergraduate School and Major:

Undergrad: Claflin University (B.A. Politics and Justice Studies. B.A. Psychology)

Graduate School: Yale University, M.Div.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Bethel United Methodist Church, Lead Pastor

What excites you most about studying in Washington, DC? Being around such amazing minds in every area of business and society.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Georgetown McDonough’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? A key part of my decision to attend Georgetown is their emphasis on cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Georgetown is a place that wants to invest just as much personally as they do professionally.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Georgetown McDonough? I’m excited to take our Leading Teams for Performance and Impact course because everyone has raved about how much the class stretched them to become better leaders and empaths.

Georgetown McDonough programming focuses heavily on instilling a global mindset. Why is exposure to global diversity so critical to business success? I think that global diversity is critical to business success because it forces you to always stay in a position to learn from others which ultimately teaches you more about yourself.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment in my career thus far would be raising funds and overseeing the construction of a basketball court at the church where I used to be Lead Pastor.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I decided to pursue an MBA to transition to a role in real estate or consulting that will allow me to have macro-level impact in DE&I spaces.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? I recently read Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman and would highly recommend it to prospective students as a great read on servant leadership.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Georgetown McDonough’s MBA program?

Two things:

1: Own who you are and don’t let the process change that.

2: Contact current students! We are willing to help in any way possible.

DON’T MISS: MEET GEORGETOWN MCDONOUGH’S MBA CLASS OF 2024