Eric Abeiku Ackom

Washington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School

“A young man building his village through family, friendships, fashion, and photography.”

Hometown: Pennsauken, New Jersey

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a sneaker collector, and my favorite pair is the StrangeLove Nike SB Dunk Low that I won in an Instagram giveaway. It still feels unreal that I got them.

Undergraduate School and Major: Rowan University, Psychology – Pre Med

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Virtua Health, Critical Care Emergency Medical Technician

What has been your favorite part of St. Lous so far? makes St. Louis such a great place to earn an MBA? My favorite part of St. Louis has been discovering the city through photography. The architecture on campus and throughout St. Louis makes every photo walk feel inspiring, and it creates a sense of history and community that I did not expect. There is a calmness here that encourages reflection and a welcoming spirit that makes it easy to feel at home.

St. Louis is a great place to earn an MBA because it offers opportunity while still feeling personal. The city provides access to established industries, emerging ventures, and a tight-knit business community. You can build meaningful relationships with classmates, faculty, and local leaders while still enjoying the culture and beauty of the city.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Washington Olin’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose Olin for its small class size. I wanted a program where professors knew who I was and took an active interest in my development. Establishing that level of connection and mentorship was important to me, especially as I looked for a program that would help me grow as a leader and strengthen my ability to serve others.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Olin? My favorite course has been Introduction to Management and Strategy with Professor Seth Carnahan. At the start of every class, he would ask if anything interesting had happened in our lives that week. The question was never related to the teaching material, yet it set a tone that made the room feel open and grounded. Seth engaged the entire class and created an environment where we felt seen before diving into the coursework. That small ritual encouraged me to reflect on moments that mattered and helped celebrate our cohort.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment has been performing life-saving CPR as an EMT. That experience reinforced my purpose and confirmed the impact I want to continue making in healthcare. Knowing I helped someone regain a chance at life will always stay with me, and it is why I plan to maintain my CPR certification for as long as I can.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far: My biggest achievement so far is being elected Graduate Business Student Association President. Participating in the election process was meaningful, and I am honored that my classmates have placed their trust in my ability to listen, represent them, and serve our community. I am excited to step into the role and work alongside the executive team to support our class in the coming year.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? The Kickball Day is my favorite memory because I loved seeing everyone’s competitive spirit and capturing those moments through my camera. The energy, the food, the laughter, and the dancing made it clear that our class was becoming a true community.

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