Nicholas Mut-Tracy

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College

“Optimistic, warm, grateful – and guided by a strong sense of justice.”

Hometown: Washington, D.C. is where I was born but New York City is home.

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have lived in seven countries across four continents—discovering other cultures and places is what I enjoy most. It is impossible to pick a favorite, although Honduras impacted me the most, while the Sultanate of Oman blew me away with its distinct customs and beauty.

Undergraduate School and Major: Emory University, Political Science; Columbia University, Master’s in International Affairs

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: National Nuclear Security Administration and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (The Pentagon), Presidential Management Fellow

What has been your first impression of the Tuck MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Tuck story so far. Tuckies strike a wonderful balance between brilliant and easy-going. Students are humble, hard-working, and approachable.

Tuck does an excellent job of filtering for “fit” and creating a cohort of people you can quickly connect with. It may sound cliché, but Tuck MBA students view life as a positive-sum game—everyone can win.  For them, and myself, being a part of another person’s success is as enjoyable as one’s own.

Regarding my best Tuck story (so far), I deeply appreciate all the support that my peers with business backgrounds provide me as I learn new concepts and hone skills. They always offer a helping hand. As a career pivoter, their aid is critical. I look forward to repaying them in school and as an alumnus.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Tuck’s strong general management-focused education is what drew me the most. Its core curriculum is holistic, challenging, and robust. As a student, I am testing my limits daily.

One of the key business school outcomes I wanted to achieve was developing a strong managerial toolkit – especially in quantitative areas. Tuck is the perfect place to do so. Because of this, Tuck students graduate strongly prepared to enter the job market. Employers know this, which is reflected by Tuck’s exceptional job placement across industries.

What excites you the most about coming to live in Hanover? What is the one activity you can’t wait to do? The fall weather and scenery! Hanover and its surrounding areas are stunning year-round and become particularly breathtaking in the October-November period. I look forward to venturing out and discovering quaint New England towns. I am also a huge coffee aficionado, so I cannot wait to discover the best coffee houses the area has to offer.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Dartmouth Tuck? The Center for Business, Government, and Society. Tuck and Dartmouth, via the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Montgomery Fellows program, provides ample public policy programming. Tuck and its parent institution deeply explore the linkages between business and the public sector, acknowledging their synergistic relationship. As someone interested in improving the world through business, the Center is a natural fit.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: There are many! In the past, I headed U.S. government delegations abroad and led national security-related negotiations with foreign government leaders. I had an amazing team backing me.

Some of our greatest accomplishments included negotiating a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Chilean governments and achieving diplomatic milestones with Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil.

Likewise, as the Department of Defense’s policy lead for Colombia, I managed the United States’ defense relationship with a critical partner during a period of geopolitical volatility. In the role, I coordinated closely with the White House’s National Security Council and Department of State. I also met presidents and worked with foreign ministers, ambassadors, and chiefs of defence—all incredibly humbling experiences.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I am interested in strategy and general management-focused roles. I hope to develop and refine skills that will allow me to eventually lead large teams, preferably in a company that adds value to society.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA program? Tuck values human connection. The admissions team wants to get to know you. Meeting them through coffee chats and events is a great way to assess if Tuck is right for you. Also, take advantage of every opportunity to connect with students and alumni in your city and in Hanover!

DON’T MISS: MEET DARTMOUTH TUCK’S MBA CLASS OF 2026