Shane Connolly

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

“I’m a passionate husband, dog dad, New York Giants fan, and future father.”

Hometown: Warwick, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: My front teeth are fake—they were knocked out playing lacrosse with my brothers.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Military Academy (Systems Engineering)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Army, Task Force Commander

What excites you most about studying in Washington, DC? My spouse and I were looking for a place to grow personally and professionally in an exciting way. Washington, D.C. checks those boxes. We have been in the nation’s capital for less than a week and we have already taken advantage of several opportunities that D.C. has to offer, including seeing Blink-182 in concert (my favorite band!)

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Georgetown McDonough’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? From afar, a lot of top-notch business schools look the same (competitive admissions, cohort system, world-class academics, modern facilities, connection with industry, etc.) What I liked about the McDonough program was its historical campus, embedded in a city that is steeped with culture. That intersection can only be found on the Georgetown campus, and I’m excited to be a part of it!

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Georgetown McDonough? I’m excited to contribute to the McDonough Military Association. My spouse and I have served in the Active Duty Army since 2016, so I’m excited to connect with fellow veterans and share our unique experiences with the broader McDonough community.

Georgetown McDonough programming focuses heavily on instilling a global mindset. Why is exposure to global diversity so critical to business success? Business is a human endeavor, and connecting with people is critical to making a difference in any industry. Understanding my upbringing, and placing it in the appropriate global context, allowed me to connect with partner force leaders in a joint operating environment to solve operational and logistical problems. These efforts allowed my team to better facilitate Department of Defense strategy while deployed to Iraq.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Georgetown McDonough was the right program for you? Why? My spouse and I looked at three things for our graduate school experience: world-class academics, connection with industry, and a setting that afforded an exciting lifestyle outside of the classroom. After a thorough recruitment process, Georgetown remained on a short list.

Georgetown became our top choice after a campus visit following a nearby wedding—we walked through campus, spoke with alumni, and ended our night at the Tombs. Once I was accepted, we started looking for apartments!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The professional honor of my lifetime has been serving as a Task Force Commander in Iraq. Leading America’s sons and daughters in a combat zone is exceptionally rewarding, and I will always hold a special place in my heart for the soldiers that I served alongside with.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? In 2026, I want to leave Washington, D.C., with three things: