Kellogg World Alumni Magazine
Cultural lessons
Outgoing KSA president Brian Van Wagener '12 and incoming president Jenna Giordano '13 reflect on Kellogg's unique culture — and the role it's played in their educational experience

 

How would you describe Kellogg's culture?

JG: One aspect that's unique to Kellogg is that the students here have high ambition and low ego. And they're highly engaged — so students get more out of each other and their experiences. They make great captains and coaches.

 

What role has culture played in your education here?

BVW: When I first got to Kellogg and saw the results of our 360 reviews, I learned that I had some strengths around strategy and analytical thinking but big gaps around skills like relationship building and persuasion. Central to being good at both of those are all the qualities that make Kellogg students so unique, and so I've learned an incredible amount from my classmates, being immersed in this experience.

 

How can KSA support Kellogg's culture?

BVW: Kellogg attracts humble and ambitious people, and we've tried to bring that flavor to the way we approach leadership in KSA. We take our roles seriously, but try not to take ourselves too seriously. And we've tried to foster a culture of partnership between students and the administration.
JG: In the next year, KSA will look for opportunities to continue to strengthen our relationship across programs. We want to give students opportunities to shape the culture while partnering with the administration. You don't want the culture to stagnate; it's one of the ways that Kellogg stands apart.