Meet the MBA Class of 2026: Guy King, Cornell University (Johnson)

Guy King

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

“A people-first leader dedicated to driving impact in underserved and underrepresented communities through my work.”

Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi

Fun Fact About Yourself: I come from a family of four generations of HBCU graduates, specifically from Jackson State University. HBCUs are rooted in legacy and history, and I’m proud I was able to continue our tradition and build on our legacy by being the first person in my family to pursue an MBA at an Ivy League institution.

Undergraduate School and Major: Jackson State University, Mass Communications

Graduate School and Major: Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Journalism

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: DRW Holdings, External Communications Manager

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Cornell’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Cornell Johnson’s tight-knit community, smaller class size, notable alumni, and regional location were all factors in my decision to attend the institution. During my campus visit, three current Cornell Johnson MBA students – in particular, Calvin Brown, Seth Petty Jr. and Salvador Ernesto Pineda – took hours of their time during finals week to showcase why Cornell Johnson was so special, which gave me a firsthand look into how Cornell Johnson shows up for one another. This was also an example of empathetic leadership, aligning with Cornell Johnson’s unique approach to equipping its students with the necessary leadership skills to drive impact and systematic change not only for our communities but for the world. Through the Roy H. Park Leadership Fellowship Program, and the many other leadership programs unique to Cornell Johnson, I will be challenged by my peers to create the space needed to truly grow as a leader.

What excites you the most about living in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region? I consider myself an amateur wine connoisseur. The Finger Lakes region is home to so many wineries, while also allowing me to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking. Ithaca is beautiful with waterfalls, parks, and nature. It’s the ideal place to pursue an MBA with its small-town charm fostering an environment for me to connect with my classmates and build meaningful, deep, long-lasting relationships.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Cornell? I’m very excited about the Strategic Product and Marketing Immersion (SPMI) during the spring semester of my first year. Several Cornell Johnson second-year SPMI students spoke so highly about Professor Shreya Kankanhalli; she equips students with the necessary real-world experiential learning exposure to solve business challenges top companies are facing ahead of us going into our summer internships. Also, I can’t wait to work with individuals in my Roy H. Park Leadership Fellows cohort and our Cornell Johnson Class of 2026 to unlock insights about my leadership style as we go on a journey together to grow our leadership capabilities.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Johnson was the right program for you? Why? When I was accepted into Cornell Johnson, I immediately started reaching out to Cornell Johnson alums working in brand management and marketing. So many alums responded to me, taking hours of their time to discuss my professional goals, background, and what I’m looking for from both short-term and long-term perspectives, which I found invaluable. I also connected with several current Cornell Johnson MBA students pursuing brand management and marketing; they informed me of the vast resources available to them at Cornell Johnson. I quickly knew Cornell Johnson’s tight-knit, supportive community and support system made Johnson the best place for me.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: During my public relations career, my biggest accomplishment has been blending my passion for connecting with others through storytelling. My purpose was to drive impact in underserved and underrepresented communities. This included developing and executing public relations strategies on behalf of Citi closing the racial wealth gap; and  garnering local and national stories highlighting the impact the PepsiCo Foundation and the National Urban League are making through the Black Restaurant Accelerator Program.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? Cornell University’s founding principle is a quote from Ezra Cornell: “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” For me, what will make a successful experience is building deep, meaningful relationships with my classmates from various walks of life and backgrounds while leaving an impact on members of the Cornell Johnson community.

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

Introspection: Comparison is the thief of joy — yet inevitable in the MBA application process. Understanding who you are, what you want, and where you want to go are three important factors to keep at the forefront. These will ensure you stay the course and remain confident in what you bring to the table.

Authenticity: Be you. It’s important to apply to the schools where you can tell your story and where the community sees you for you. Don’t try to be someone you think the program wants to see. Be you because you want your program to feel like home. Remember, in the end, we all land where we’re supposed to be.

Community: It’s important to engage with the admissions committee, but it’s even more important to engage with current students. Get a sense of the community, how they show up for each other and most importantly how they show up to support you through the process.

DON’T MISS: MEET CORNELL JOHNSON’S MBA CLASS OF 2026