Meet The Texas A&M Mays MBA Class Of 2026

Outside College Station, you’ll hear Texas A&M University described as a “cult.” To an outsider, A&M can seem quirky at first. After all, who greets people with a warm “howdy” outside of Westerns? Where else is football played with a “12th man”? Of course, there is the vernacular – what exactly does “Wildcat” or “Whoop” even mean?

Oh – and who is Miss Rev, by the way?

Yes, A&M reveres its traditions, students and alumni alike. There are Aggie engagement proposals under the Century Tree and the Elephant Walk to mark the end of senior year. And the school has such die-hard football fans that they paid their coach $76 million dollars to go away (and started winning again). Yes, these “little things” add up to make Texas A&M a special place says Katie Steed, a ’22 alum of the Mays Business School. For Roya Parhizkarkalnadani, who earned her MBA at Mays this spring, the A&M experience isn’t only special, it’s just plain “fun” .

“Whether it’s the 12th man, Ring Dunk, or Midnight Yell, every tradition at A&M just speaks to how close-knit the community is,” Parhizkarkalnadani explains. Even after graduation, the Aggie Network remains strong both from a professional and community standpoint.”

CORE VALUES RESONATE

Make no mistake: Aggies take the experience seriously. Look no further Ring Day, a ceremony honoring students who have completed their academic requirements. Here, students receive a ring adorned by an eagle – a symbol of power and promise. The ring also features five stars, which represent each student’s growth in intellect, physicality, spirit, emotion, and integrity. No, the school isn’t some cult grounded in mindless reverence to historical lore. Instead, A&M personifies a pride in identity, a commitment to a moral code that binds students who’ve shared the same profound experiences.

“The Mays Business School, like all of Texas A&M University, is entrenched in the Aggie Tradition,” observes Allison Sadler, a member of the incoming MBA Class of 2026. “From the moment you step on campus, you feel that you are a part of something bigger than yourself. The Aggie Core Values (Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service) align with how I personally strive to live my life and surrounding myself with like-minded individuals was imperative.”

This purpose – particularly Selfless Service – also attracted to David Pham to College Station to pursue his MBA. “Texas A&M University’s purpose is bigger than just the university. The school is committed to working and helping others to have a positive impact, without expectation of recognition or reward. The engagement with the community service projects and collaboration with organizations dedicated to social impact are integral to the Mays MBA experience.”

Not surprisingly, the Class of 2026 is looking forward to The Big Event, an ‘a-Mays-ing’ student-run event where Aggies across the university take a day off to volunteer and give back to their community. That’s not the only way that the Mays students serve the greater good, adds Allyson Hayley, a third generation Aggie who has had 13 extended family members attend the university.

“The Full-Time MBA Program also partners with Camp LIFE (Leadership, Independence, and Friends through Experiences)—an inclusive camp dedicated to children with disabilities and their families.  As a student, it can be easy to get absorbed in the demands of academic life and career pursuits, so I think it is important to take a step back from time to time and appreciate the opportunities we have and make an impact where we can.”

SERVICE THROUGH THE MILITARY AND NON-PROFITS

A West Point grad, Hayley joins the Class of 2026 after serving as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army.   Her Selfless Service moment came two years ago, when she headed overseas to help Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion.

“In February 2022, I abruptly deployed to Germany as a member of the U.S. Army’s Immediate Response Force. As the lead logistical coordinator for a first-of-its-kind mission, my team enabled life-sustaining support for hundreds of Ukrainian Soldiers who trained alongside my organization over an eight-month period.  The experience enlightened my own perspective of what it means to sacrifice and serve, specifically during a time of intense conflict.”

In a similar spirit, Adora Ajuzie worked as a Portfolio Manager for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Here, she received the opportunity to define her position and department expectations. Along the way, she was able to boost her team’s productivity and responsiveness by over 50%.

“Practically, this means that before I left the Foundation, I designed a blueprint for onboarding trainings for new joiners and onboarded multiple new joiners in the process,” she tells P&Q. “My role definition and value-add was institutionalized and used to hire new candidates in similar role for the Nigerian Office. The exciting thing about this is that I made space for other people to have a softer-landing. I created a new system that boosts productivity at the Foundation and reduces the lag time between being a new-comer and a more reliable professional.”

FROM CATTLE ENTERPRENEURS QUIZ SHOW RESEARCHERS

Before business school, David Pham was a Design and Product Engineer, while Joseph F. Cotie runs his own business, Cotie Brothers Cattle – a company he started when he was just 15. Matthew Stouffer, a Project Engineer, was involved in several green energy projects, not to mention the construction of America’s first offshore substation. At the same time, Mohammad Fahad lived out his childhood dream before becoming an Aggie.

“As a quizzer and huge fan of trivia-based TV shows since childhood, it was when I got the chance to join, and later head, the content research team for the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Kaun Banega Crorepati.“

At 26, Allison Sadler became the youngest Operations Superintendent in her refinery’s history. Udit Chakraborti is another wunderkind in the Class of 2026. He was the youngest winner of the PwC COI Industry Champion Award after launching a “revolutionary” CRM application in insurance underwriting. By the same token, Devna Grover made a name for herself at Eli Lilly and Company.

“My greatest career accomplishment to date is working as a process engineer on an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) manufacturing line for a life-saving drug that has positively impacted countless individuals managing diabetes. The role I played in ensuring the production of this crucial medication has made a significant difference in people’s lives, which is the most important aspect of my work to me.”

AN ARRAY OF ABILITIES

As students, the Class of 2026 brings a range of skills to enhance the learning experience. Atul Kumar Kar, a Deloitte consultant, points to his ability to bring people together and foster relationships. Matthew Stouffer blends an “analytical mind” and a “creative spirit” to develop “out-of-the-box” solutions. For Mohammad Fahad, versatility is his calling card.

“I come from a set of professional experiences vastly different from most of my classmates – including but not limited to multiple industries, unconventional roles, extensive freelancing, and early-stage startup experience. This diverse set of skills and experiences will give me different perspectives on problem-solving, which will hopefully help create a more holistic approach in group settings and general class discussions.”

When talent and experience aren’t enough, classmates can turn to Joseph Cotie, who has a penchant for rallying people to never quit. He will find a kindred soul in Riley Hix, a Civil Engineering Officer in the U.S. Navy.

“I am leave no-one behind type of person. My favorite part of leadership is helping those who struggle figure out success,” he explains. “If you are on my team, we are getting to the finish line even if I have to help you limp there.”

A CLASS PROFILE

Outside of class, Mohammad Fahad is a “specialty coffee nerd” who regularly samples flavors from across the globe. Devna Grover holds a certification in wine tasting, while Udit Chakraborti earned his first black belt when he was 12. And Matthew Stouffer’s passion is restoring vintage cars.

“One of my first cars was an old BMW,” he tells P&Q. “During a trip to Germany a few years ago, I made it a priority to visit the BMW headquarters in Munich.”

Overall, the full-time cohort includes 36 students, who bring average GMATs and GREs of 672 and 314 respectively to College Station (along with a 3.34 undergraduate GPA). 31% of the class hails from overseas, with 25% being women. The largest segment of the Class of 2026 – 61% — hold undergraduate degrees in Engineering-related fields, with Business (14%), Science (11%), and Social Science (8%) also represented. Consulting and Technology professionals each account for an 8% share of class, with 5.5% shares divided up between Retail, Petroleum and Energy, Non-Profit, Manufacturing, Hospitality, and Government.

Historically, the largest percentages of Mays MBA graduates found work in the Technology Consulting, and Finance sectors. In the most recent employment report for the Class of 2023, the largest consumers of Mays talent included Dell, Infosys, Deloitte, USAA, and ExxonMobil.

SMALL SIZE AND LOTS OF SUPPORT

According to first-years and alumni, Mays boasts a bevy of benefits. “Texas A&M has seemingly endless opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures, including Aggies in Business and the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship. Being a small business owner and looking to explore my horizons made this a huge selling point for me!”

Class size is another asset say students. Here, everyone must participate in order for the class to succeed. Even more, the size translates a more “personalized approach” – all while students are able to tap into a network of nearly 300,000 Mays grads from the past 25 years alone, says Mohammad Fahad. His classmate, Udit Chakraborti, echoes his sentiments.

“[The] small cohort size allow(s) for personalized attention from faculty, program staff, and career management. This supportive environment was crucial for my development because the focused support from professors helped me grasp key concepts quickly. At the same time, the career management team provided invaluable assistance with my application materials and job search strategy, ensuring I was well-prepared for the job season.”

Go to next page for profiles of 12 first-year MBAs and an interview with the MBA Director.