Meet Northwestern Kellogg’s MBA Class Of 2027

Global Hub Exterior

P&Q: What types of services do you provide to first-year MBAs to ease their transition into business school?

Haydon: “We believe the transition into business school should be both intentional and inspiring, and that starts with CIM, short for “Culture is Made.” CIM is a foundational experience designed to help students understand and shape the culture they’re joining. Through keynote sessions with faculty and alumni, hands-on workshops and peer-led discussions, students reflect on their own leadership journeys and begin building authentic connections with their classmates.

Even before day one, students are equipped with the tools and context they need to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. They engage in thoughtfully designed activities that reflect Kellogg’s values, such as the Culture Box, where students share formative aspects of their identity to better understand the unique experiences of their peers, and Crucible Moments, intimate dinners where classmates reflect on defining moments that have shaped who they are. Alongside collaborative section events, these experiences set the tone for an MBA journey rooted in purpose and self-awareness.

At the same time, we ensure students are prepared to hit the ground running. For example, the Career Management Center offers pre-term career programming, including industry overviews and early recruiting prep for sectors like investment banking and consulting. This blend of personal reflection and professional preparation helps our students feel grounded and ready for recruitment.”

P&Q: What types of support do you provide to international students before and during business school to enable them to better acclimate to your country?

Haydon: “We’re deeply committed to ensuring international students feel welcomed and supported before and during their Kellogg journey. One of the ways we do that is through our American Culture and English (ACE) Program, a free, three-week pre-term experience unique to Kellogg. ACE offers immersive preparation in U.S. academic and cultural norms, from classroom participation to understanding American sports and social customs. The program is designed to help students build confidence and community before classes begin.

Once the academic year starts, our English Language Coach provides one-on-one support year-round to help students strengthen their communication skills and fully engage in the Kellogg experience.

In addition, Culture Camp offers a space for international and domestic students alike to celebrate their identities and deepen their cultural awareness through storytelling, interactive workshops, and peer-led activities. It’s an experience that not only fosters belonging, but also sets the tone for the kind of empathic leadership we value at Kellogg.”

Kellogg students

P&Q: How does your program integrate other disciplines, such as the liberal arts and STEM, across your curriculum to provide students with a more interdisciplinary experience in business school?

Haydon: “We believe the most effective business leaders are those who can think across disciplines, combining analytical rigor with ethics and creative problem-solving. That philosophy is embedded across the Kellogg curriculum.

For example, courses like Moral Complexity in Leadership draw from the liberal arts to explore timeless ethical dilemmas through literature, philosophy and history. In these discussion-based classes, students sharpen their ability to navigate ambiguity, engage in dialogue across differences, and lead with empathy and clarity. These skills are critical in today’s complex business environment.

On the STEM side, we offer rigorous, tech-forward specialty programs like  MMM and MBAi, which pair a Kellogg MBA with a master’s in design innovation or deep coursework in artificial intelligence and data science. These programs give students the tools they need to lead at the intersection of business, engineering and innovation.

We also integrate cross-disciplinary thinking into our broader curriculum through courses like What Every MBA Should Know About Climate, which blends economics, science and public policy to examine one of the most pressing issues of our time.”

Kellogg students in the Global Hub atrium

P&Q: What are two ways that your program is incorporating Artificial Intelligence into your programming? How do they better prepare students for the future world of work?

Haydon: “Whether students pursue a single course or a full degree path, we equip them with the technical fluency and strategic, responsible mindset to lead in an AI-powered future.

Launching in Fall 2025, AI Foundations for Managers offers students a practical, cross-disciplinary introduction to AI and machine learning. What’s unique is that the course is offered through five different departments—marketing, strategy, operations, finance, and management—allowing students to explore how AI intersects with their specific career goals. It also emphasizes responsible leadership through modules on ethics, governance and real-world applications across industries.

For students who want to go even deeper, our MBAi Program (a joint degree with Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering) provides a truly integrated curriculum at the intersection of business, data science and artificial intelligence. From advanced coursework to a client-based capstone and summer internship, students graduate ready to lead cross-functional teams and guide organizations through technology-driven change.”

P&Q: What types of educational and career support do you provide to alumni after graduation? How does it make them more valuable to employers during their careers?

Haydon: “Kellogg’s commitment to career support doesn’t end at graduation; it’s a lifelong partnership. Our Career Management Center (CMC) empowers alumni to navigate career transitions, explore new opportunities, and continue growing long after their MBA journey ends.

Alumni benefit from up to five hours of complimentary one-on-one coaching each year, support that’s available for a lifetime. These personalized sessions cover everything from strategic career planning and industry pivots to interview prep and negotiation. Whether someone is preparing for a leadership role, launching a business, or re-entering the workforce, our coaches help them develop the skills and confidence to move forward.

In addition to coaching, alumni can tap into Kellogg’s exclusive job board, connect with a dedicated research specialist for tailored job search support and access a robust library of career resources—including resume guides, salary benchmarking tools and curated articles. Alumni also benefit from a highly engaged global network and career-focused events that foster new connections and opportunities across industries.”

Click on the links below to access in-depth profiles of the MBA Class of 2027.

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