Nick Hagen   

Kelley School of Business at Indiana University

“Husband, Father, Veteran, and Strategic-minded Operations Professional.”

Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas

Fun fact about yourself: In 2008, I was recognized in the Sondheim Review for my supporting actor role in the musical, “Merrily We Roll Along,” at Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Undergraduate School and Degree: BSB Economics, Oklahoma City University

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Before attending Kelley, I served as a U.S. Army Special Forces Officer, with my final assignment as a Battalion Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, where I was responsible for developing and mentoring over 300 cadets in academic, physical, and military affairs ensuring they were prepared to lead as future Army officers.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? I worked with Direct Supply as a strategy development intern in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Where will you be working after graduation? I’ll be working at Avient as an operations specialist as part of their LDP in Avon Lake, OH.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Hoosier Host Co-Chair
• Veteran’s Club President
• Board Fellow at the Bloomington Creative Glass Center.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Last May, I completed the Dances-With-Dirt Gnaw Bone 50km Ultramarathon in Brown County. The training and preparation took nearly all my spring semester, where I juggled my academics, recruiting, family life, and this ambitious physical event.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I had the privilege of serving our country in Syria as a Green Beret. In the fall of 2017, I was one of two Executive Officers in theatre responsible for creating and maintaining the logistical support systems supporting A-Teams in the Battle of Raqqah and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Knowing that the systems I built allowed our teams to move faster, fight harder, and, most importantly, come home safely is something I carry with me every day. It reinforced my belief that behind every mission is a well-laid foundation of disciplined operations, strategic coordination, and mutual trust which all continue to guide me today.

Why did you choose this business school? Kelley’s Academies were one of the most unique aspects of the program that provided tremendous return on networking and exposure to the business world. As a transitioning veteran, I knew I needed an opportunity to absorb as much of the ‘real-world’ as possible in such a short time, and the Academies provided that opportunity. On top of classes and regular recruiting, the Supply Chain and Digital Enterprises Academy allowed me to apply what I was learning in class and see it in action with companies across the country.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professor has been Eric McDermott. He taught our “Predictive Analytics in Business Strategy” class. I think he did an incredible job distilling such a challenging subject as causal inference with preciseness and specificity. There are things that about correlation and causal effects from that class which I will never forget as a future business leader.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Surprisingly, as a non-finance major, I really loved “Asset Valuation” with Andrew Ellul. Beyond just learning the formulas and function of different asset pricing models, we really dove into the drivers and philosophies of capital markets at large and explored the interconnectedness of market pricing and the greater economy.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? This has been a great year for Hoosier Football, and our MBA Tailgates were the best place to celebrate their record season. I’m a diehard Hoosier Football fan for life now!

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? As a transitioning veteran with a family, I was very concerned about the outcomes of my prospective careers following graduation. But as I met leaders and mentors in the corporate world, the one lesson they imparted on me was to be concerned with what I wanted to do with my time and talents, and the compensation will follow. I could have arbitrarily closed some doors to some great opportunities if all I had been chasing was the benefits, like I had originally intended. Thankfully, I am grateful to have had mentors and peers alike help me find the value that I brought to a team and find opportunities that aligned with those talents.

What is the biggest myth about your school? I always share with prospective applicants that having your MBA does not entitle you to a great career. You can’t simply believe that getting accepted into business school is the endgame. You must show up and put in the work – academically, professionally, and personally – to get the outcome that you want. No one will care about your career as much as you do, and opportunities will not just fall into your lap because you are an MBA student. The best of my peers put in countless hours preparing and refining their stories, defining the value they bring to an organization, and building your network with meaningful connections.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? There’s quite a bit of great outdoor activities just minutes from school and where I live in Bloomington. Whether it’s running the trails throughout the Brown County State Park, or enjoying the views at Monroe Lake, or even just running up & down the B-line that cuts right through Bloomington, there’s always a reason to get out of the house and classroom to get some fresh air!

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? A bit unconventional, but I liked The Founder with Michael Keaton. The Founder is a movie that really captures the ups and downs of running a business. It shows how Ray Kroc turned McDonald’s from a small restaurant into a global giant. It’s all about being persistent, thinking strategically, and catching the right breaks. But it also shows how business can be a tricky thing, where ambition can get in the way of doing what’s right. I learned that while it’s important to be successful and grow, it’s just as important to be honest and do what’s right in the long run.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? For me, it’s been encouraging to see AI help explain more clearly certain challenging concepts. Every student learns in different ways, and the instructors at Kelley go above and beyond to help students better understand ideas and concepts. Sometimes, our creativity comes to an end and it’s difficult to imagine an example where a particular example can be applied and practice. I think to my time understanding the cause and effects of asset and equity pricing. Being presented through AI with a different perspective on the idea helped me internalize the mathematics and really comprehend the intuition.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I really admire my classmate, Benjamin Collinger. He is incredibly smart, but what I appreciate most is how he can communicate any idea and make it easily understandable. There were times in class, such as in our Negotiations class, where he shared such a unique perspective and insight that helped me challenge how I looked at problems and potential solutions. He’s an incredibly considerate individual and I’m glad to have shared time with him while at Kelley.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I hope to sit on the board of a non-profit that supports transitioning veterans and helps families develop their network and professional skills to succeed. The other thing I’d like to do is publish a research paper on analytics and predictive modeling, exploring how data-driven insights can drive better decision-making in business and operations. As I learn my role post-graduation, I want to bridge theory with real-world applications. In the end, I’d like to contribute meaningful insights that not only advance thought but also impact the industry.

What made Nick Hagen such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“As president of the Kelley MBA Veterans Club, Nick provided invaluable leadership, fostering a strong sense of community and support among his fellow veterans. His dedication and ability to bring people together ensured that veterans felt both welcomed and empowered throughout their academic journeys. Further, Nick has sought out additional opportunities to support prospective student veterans, often taking time to speak with them one on one or being sure they are connected to others.

In addition to his role with the Veterans Club, Nick also served as co-chair of the Hoosier Host student ambassadors, playing a key part in representing the program to prospective students, facilitating both on-campus and virtual events. Despite balancing the demands of a rigorous MBA program and family life with his wife and two children, Nick consistently demonstrated an impressive level of commitment, time management, and leadership. His ability to manage multiple responsibilities with grace and determination speaks volumes about his character and work ethic, has set an example for his classmates, and has undoubtedly been an asset to the Kelley School of Business.”

Brad Rosenwinkel
Senior Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Kelley School of Business MBA Program
Indiana University, Bloomington

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