Meet Indiana Kelley’s MBA Class Of 2019

Kailey Good-Hallahan, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army 

Indiana University, Kelley School of Business 

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Strong personal values with a drive to excel and a dash of quirkiness

Hometown: Muncie, Indiana

Fun Fact About Yourself: During my adoption at age 13, I requested to have my middle name changed from Ann to Anne because I was, and still am, enamored with Anne of Green Gables, a Canadian mini-series based on the book by the same name. To this day, my grandmother still calls me ‘Kailey Ann with an E.’

Undergraduate School and Major: Excelsior College, Business and Management

Employers and Job Titles Since Graduation: United States Army – Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Contracting Noncommissioned Officer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Just eleven years ago, I was a young, uneducated kid entering the military with no idea of what I wanted to be when I grew up. Today, I’m attending Indiana University while remaining on active duty after being selected for Advanced Civil Schooling. The program typically sends only active duty officers to school full-time, resuming their duties upon graduation.  As an enlisted service member, I am one of the few non-officers to enter into the program. My greatest accomplishment is reaching for what many thought of as an unattainable goal as well as setting an example for future soldiers, stressing the importance of education, and preparing ourselves early for life after the military.

Looking back on your experience, what one piece of advice would you give to future business school applicants? Spend enough time on writing your essays. Find a knowledgeable mentor to review and provide feedback on the essays as well. People are made up of more than just their test scores and GPAs, and the essay is your chance to show the potential school why you would be a good fit. Don’t write the same essay (if the questions are similar) for different programs. Take time to look into each program, the surrounding community, and pick out key reasons why the program would want you!

What was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The Kelley School of Business full-time MBA program helps you discover the type of leader you are and how to be more effective in that capacity. Although the military has taught me how to lead, there is a difference between leading due to position and leading because others want to follow you. All while balancing my life as a wife and a mother.