Tristin Marshall

Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

“A visionary leader radiating warmth and joy while building communities with strategy.”

Hometown: Plainfield, NJ

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have lived in five different states across three different time zones within the last decade

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Media and Cinema Studies, African American Studies minor

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Republic Records, Associate Director, Digital Marketing

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. As a first-generation college student, I worried I might not fit in at Tuck. Instead, I’ve been fully embraced for who I am. When challenges arise, I lean on classmates and alumni who always share encouragement and perspective. Recently, I reached out to a T’21 for a coffee chat about recruiting, but it became a judgment-free therapy session about my academic journey. I left feeling supported, encouraged, and armed with wisdom I hope to pass on to future Tuckies.

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? I chose Tuck for its small class size and remote location. I wanted business school to stretch me into the best version of myself, and I knew Hanover would take me far out of my comfort zone. I’ve already lived in or near America’s largest cities, but I wanted my MBA to be a new life experience. Since committing, I’ve been reminded daily that I made the right choice, even on the tough days.

What excites you the most about coming to live in Hanover? What is the one activity you can’t wait to do? I love being outdoors! I joined the pre-term hiking trip in New Hampshire and absolutely loved it. Day hikes with classmates have become a favorite activity, and this winter I’m looking forward to ice climbing.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Dartmouth Tuck? I am excited to take Leadership Out of the Box with Professor Ella Bell Smith, a course many say is transformative. Becoming a stronger leader was one of my biggest reasons for pursuing an MBA, and I believe this will be one of the classes that defines my Tuck experience.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I’m most proud of the way I’ve leaned into fan engagement. In just three years, I’ve won a Clio Music Award for a fan-first digital activation, scaled fan pages to nearly 1M followers in under eight months, and helped drive an album to a #1 Billboard debut through a fan-led campaign. I’ve also transformed online Discord servers into real-life experiences. These wins solidified my passion for building communities, and my last role showed me just how much I love and embody this work.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? Sports or sports-adjacent marketing. I’ve built fan communities in music, and I’m eager to translate that expertise into connecting with sports fans and customers of products that shape sports culture.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Dartmouth Tuck’s MBA program? Show up as your best, brightest, and authentic self in your application, visit, and interview. At Tuck, everyone is valued for who they are. I once doubted my nontraditional background compared to peers in finance or consulting, but it’s been very valuable. My classmates are fascinated by my career journey, and I see now that my unique story enriches our class.

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