Malcolm Wilson

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign – Gies College of Business iMBA

“Data Driven, and people-oriented. I love solving problems, building relationships, and helping make ideas happen.”

Age: 35

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Fun fact about yourself: I enjoy building Lego sets and find it rewarding to see the final product come together piece-by-piece.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Governors State University Bachelors of Arts in Communications

Where are you currently working? YES Prep Public Schools

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of my proudest moments in my career was leading a team of educators through a major academic turnaround. We were facing real challenges with student engagement and performance, but by using data to adjust our teaching strategies and collaborating as a team, we were able to see significant improvement in outcomes.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose this program because it gave me the flexibility to keep working full time while earning a respected degree. The curriculum has a strong focus on business analytics and leadership, which were two areas I knew would be essential for the kind of impact I wanted to make in the next chapter of my career.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part of the program was the connection I made with classmates. We came from different industries, time zones, and walks of life. However, we showed up for each other in group projects, late night team chats, and weekend meetings.

How did your online experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? The online MBA required a different kind of discipline. As an undergraduate student, you’re in a physical space with constant reminders to stay on task. With the online format, I had to prioritize juggling work, school, and life. I believe that it made earning my MBA more rewarding.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Treat it like a team sport, not a solo mission. Everyone you come across within your groups all have a common goal: get the best grade and connect with their fellow classmates. The connections you build are just as valuable as the coursework.

How has your online education helped you in your current job? It made me more strategic in how I approach problems. I now analyze challenges with a mix of data and big picture thinking.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? Not at the moment.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? I was working full-time and had personal responsibilities I couldn’t put on hold, including preparing for fatherhood. An online MBA program gave me the flexibility I needed without putting my life or career on pause.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? I used AI tools in both analytics and leadership courses. It wasn’t just about learning the tech; it was more about understanding how to use it responsibly. Especially using R programming, it was crucial to understand the next steps to get the data you are actually looking for.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 15-20

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term professional goal is to lead strategy and analytics at a mission-driven company, ideally where business, technology, and impact intersect. I want to keep growing in roles where I can help teams make smarter decisions that in return help the business.

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