Kingsley Ukaulor

Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame

“I am an authentic, extroverted, and kindhearted individual who enjoys putting smiles on people’s faces.”

Hometown: I call 2 places home: Port Harcourt, and Lagos – all in Nigeria.

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am known as “the life of the party,” and I possess the ability to easily connect with individuals, even when meeting them for the first time. I thrive in spontaneous interactions and can vibe with people effortlessly. Public speaking, whether it’s emceeing or moderating events, is something I thoroughly enjoy. It provides me with the platform to express myself and establish meaningful connections with diverse audiences.

Undergraduate School and Major:

• Undergraduate School: Uptonville Oil & Gas Institute, Nigeria (Petroleum Geosciences)
• Undergraduate School: University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (Petroleum & Gas Engineering)
• Graduate School: University of Notre Dame – Mendoza College of Business (Business Analytics & Strategy)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: General Manager, Business Development at McBrian & Neil

When you think of Notre Dame, what are the first things that come to mind? How have your experiences with the Mendoza program thus far reinforced or upended these early impressions? When I think of Notre Dame, the first things that come to mind are the enduring core values that steadfastly bind the institution together: Excellence, respect, integrity, teamwork, accountability, ethical leadership, spirituality, and cultural fitness (embracing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging). These initial impressions have consistently resonated with my experiences. For instance, during Thanksgiving, one of my professors graciously invited several MBA students to his home to celebrate with his family, embodying the principles of DEI in a practical and heartwarming manner.

Notably, within the MBA community, I have observed a remarkable absence of competition among fellow students and instead I’ve witnessed a great spirit of teamwork. At Mendoza, individuals are genuinely interested and committed to fostering a comfortable MBA process for everyone. As an international student, the unparalleled level of genuine support at Notre Dame has exceeded my expectations. From the admissions team to student services, professors, non-academic staff, and fellow students, my journey has been incredibly enriching due to the meaningful connections I’ve cultivated over time. Without reservation, I can confidently say that “I have found a home far away from home.”

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the Mendoza MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The key part of the Mendoza program that influenced my decision to choose this school was its 2-year MBA program, specifically emphasizing “Business Analytics & Strategy” as both a major and minor. This holds particular significance for me as someone with a Petroleum & Gas Engineering background and a five-year work experience in business development within the oil and gas and consumer finance industries.

My goal for attending this business school is to pivot my career into the consulting/tech industries, through which I can help organizations solve business problems, reduce cost, and maximize profit. Mendoza has significantly provided me an excellent platform for my career transition. Thus far, my experience has solidified my contentment in selecting Mendoza through an extensive curriculum, vast accessible library and educational resources, and a perfect class ratio (with an easy access to professors).  I am delighted to be here.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Mendoza? The activity that I have enjoyed the most at Mendoza so far is the “Leadership Launch,” a four-day intensive leadership program meticulously designed to establish a strong foundation for MBA students embarking on their journey. What captivated me most during the program was the segment where participants brought artifacts and shared the stories behind them. The diversity was striking, ranging from individuals with meaningful pictures and tattoos to my contribution—a video clip capturing my family’s final dinner before I departed for the States. The dinner, filled with tears of joy and deep emotions, underscored the profound commitment of my entire family to this MBA journey. I made it clear that I wasn’t pursuing an MBA alone; my family was undertaking this journey with me, creating unforgettable moments.

Another compelling aspect of the program involved reflecting on three individuals in our lives who embody qualities of “Tender, True, and Strong.” I identified my mom as representing “tenderness”, my siblings, close friends, and benefactors as embodying “truth”, and my dad as symbolizing “strength”. This introspective exercise reinforced my commitment to pursuing a better life through the MBA program and being a source of support for my family and the broader community. The Leadership Launch proved to be an inspirational opportunity to solidify my aspirations and motivations for the transformative journey ahead.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career achievement is successfully realizing my aspiration of attending a prestigious business school in the United States and transitioning into a new professional trajectory (consulting/tech). In 2021, at the zenith of my professional journey, I made the decision to pursue business school in the U.S. After considering multiple admissions offers, I specifically opted for the University of Notre Dame for various reasons (a strong alumni support, the Catholic principle of growing the good in business, funding availability, cultural inclusiveness, and a broad academic curriculum, etc.). Ready for this new phase of my life, I resigned from my job and gave away my personal belongings. Unfortunately, I faced a setback when my application for an F-1 student visa was denied, compelling me to defer my admission to the following year. At this juncture, with no job and limited financial resources, I found myself starting anew.

Undeterred, I persevered and regained my footing, continued operating and sustaining my personal startup (D’Lake Hub), and increased my volunteer services to God through the Catholic Church. In the process, I secured a more substantial job offer, and a few months later, my F-1 student visa was successfully approved. Fast forward to 2023, I find myself in the right place, at the right time, surrounded by the right people, pursuing the right purpose—I am at the University of Notre Dame – Mendoza College of Business, leading and living a fulfilling life.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? My biggest achievement as an MBA student so far is the seamless integration into the Notre Dame community, forging meaningful connections with my peers and others. Additionally, I take pride in offering support and assistance to those in need within the Notre Dame community and beyond. Engaging in on-campus activities, such as attending Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, volunteering, and serving as a hospitality team member and lector, has been incredibly fulfilling.

On a professional note, securing summer internship interview invitations from esteemed companies like Adobe, Amazon, and EY has been both motivating and rewarding. The prospect of potentially receiving a job offer from at least one of these companies has fueled my positive anticipation for the future.

Mendoza is known as a purpose-driven MBA program that asks students to “Grow the good in business.” What is your mission and how has Mendoza been helping you realize it? My mission is to leverage my skills, knowledge, and network to create a positive impact within my local community while simultaneously extending my influence globally. I chose the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business because of its strong dedication to nurturing ethical business leaders committed to societal well-being. I aspire to launch an earlier proposed initiative to support international student applicants, enhancing their competitiveness in business school admissions. And Notre Dame has so far provided me with a great platform to execute this initiative.

In addition, I have a non-profit organization called “Help the Less Privilege Foundation” that I co-founded back in Nigeria in June 2014. This organization focuses on offering financial aid to orphans and provides mentorship and coaching to help them pursue skill development and/or educational advancement. Following the successful completion of my MBA program, I aim to utilize the acquired skills, resources, and networks to further advance the foundation’s vision. By extending similar opportunities to others, I hope to contribute to their personal growth and development.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My best memory as an MBA student so far is the recognition my name received from the majority of the admissions team even before I set foot on campus. This was true specifically on the day I finally presented my first book I published (a year before) in dedication to Maria Stutsman y Marquez – the then Director of Mendoza Admission, as well as Stephanie Brown – the Associate Director of Admissions. Presenting the book in person to them was an emotional and memorable moment. The unique journey that led me to this point and the testimony I carry are what set me apart.

Another memorable part for me is the orientation period. Throughout the two weeks of orientation, from the very first day to its conclusion, my energy levels were consistently at their peak. Living out this long-awaited dream was truly exhilarating. During orientation, I had the privilege of setting the tone by actively participating and sharing my experiences. Every time I spoke, I made it a point to introduce myself as “Kingsley, from Nigeria.” This became my distinctive identity, inspiring other MBA students to adopt a similar style in their introductions. Witnessing the influence on the way people communicated during those initial weeks was a remarkable and memorable experience.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that maintaining authenticity and staying true to oneself is what makes each person special and unique. It’s a reminder not to lose one’s identity amid the experiences and interactions of the journey. Therefore, be “you” because your story is unique and special!

DON’T MISS: MEET NOTRE DAME MENDOZA’S MBA CLASS OF 2025