New season and beginnings: Welcoming the Class of 2027

Autumn’s changing leaves marks more than a seasonal shift in Evanston — they signal the start of a new school year. At Kellogg, that brings fresh ideas and energy to campus, along with the arrival of the Class of 2027. From diverse backgrounds and industries, these students bring curiosity, ambition and a shared excitement for what’s ahead. 

Hear from some members of the newest class as they share thoughts on everything from what brings them to Kellogg and pre-term experiences to communities and projects that they’re eager to build. 

A self-proclaimed espresso aficionado, Alfred Jackson ’27 Two-Year MBA Program is looking forward to sharing his love of java, great music and classic cars with his Kellogg peers. But aside from connecting over personal passions, Jackson is eager to deepen his finance experience, having spent the last seven years in early-stage venture capital and startup ecosystems. He looked to Kellogg knowing he needed a rigorous finance curriculum taught by professors with real-world experience in the private equity and venture capital industries. 

The Heizer Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital, along with the Black Management Association (BMA), played a significant role in his decision to attend Kellogg. “I’m especially excited about Kellogg’s Advanced Private Equity Experience (APEX), which supports students with private equity or related experience who are committed to building careers in the field after graduation,” shares Jackson. “My long-term goal is to establish my own private equity firm that invests in industries crucial to enhancing the quality of life for everyday people.” 

For Amalia Roth ’27 Two-Year MBA Program it was the kind, genuine and supportive interactions with the Kellogg community that encouraged her to pack her bags from California and call Evanston home for the next two years. “Speaking with Kellogg students and alumni throughout the application process confirmed the school was the right fit for me,” says Roth. “Every interaction was positive, and their generosity and sincerity reaffirmed the strength of the Kellogg community.”  

As a thoughtful, driven leader passionate about healthcare innovation, Roth is also excited to make a home away from home and explore all that Chicago has to offer. “The city has access to career and networking opportunities across industries, a great food scene and an array of arts and culture,” she shares.

Creating positive, significant and sustainable impact in the world fuels Anna Muñoz Morales ’27 Two-Year MBA Program when taking on projects. Leading with purpose, Morales knew it wasn’t just about finding a business school with a prestigious reputation but also about culture fit — feeling personally aligned. Before deciding on Kellogg after experiencing the school’s community for herself during Day at Kellogg, she spent time in introspection to guide her in the process. 

“My advice is to spend time reflecting on what’s truly driving you to pursue an MBA,” advises Morales. “Identifying my most authentic ‘why’ grounded me throughout the process and gave me confidence when writing essays and preparing for interviews.”  

Driven to make meaningful impact, Ellie Bentley ’27 Two-Year MBA Program is always up for a challenge — and Kellogg is the right place for it. The school’s rigorous and continuously evolving and growing academic curriculum fosters a culture of critical thinking, innovation and collaboration. “From my conversations with Kellogg students, professors and alumni, it’s clear the school prioritizes community and collaboration,” says, Bentley. “I’m excited to contribute to its team-driven culture by championing inclusiveness and active listening as foundations for sound decision-making.” 

Students aren’t just moving across the country; they’re coming from around the world. Ignacio Martos Jimenez ’27 Two-Year MBA Program is from the same town in Spain as Picasso: Malaga. Seeking to continue his career path within entrepreneurship and tech, Jimenez prioritized programs that combined strong quantitative training with applied, real-world learning.  

“The school’s curriculum stood out for its breadth of opportunities to both focus and expand, as well its strong emphasis on experiential learning” he shares. “Courses like Venture Lab allow me to apply theory directly to practice, while programs such as Global Initiatives in Management (GIM) offer the global exposure and cross-cultural perspective essential for a consultant navigating diverse industries.  

Just like his classmate Jimenez, Jeremy Levin ’27 Two-Year MBA Program is passionate about tech and startups. While he sees Kellogg as an environment that can help him continue pushing boundaries for innovation, Levin also witnessed firsthand how Kellogg fosters an engaged, globally connected community where people go out of their way to support one another.  

"I remember when I connected with a current Kellogg student who was studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. Despite the significant time difference, he took the time to chat with me and share his experience in immersing himself into a new culture while staying connected to the Kellogg community,” he says. “That type of generosity and global experience made a lasting impression on me and made me extremely excited to start the program.” 

Submarine veteran, husband and dad are some of the hats Maloney Foster ’27 JD-MBA Program wears, and now he’s adding business and law student into the mix. The dual-degree program will enable Foster to earn a Juris Doctor degree and MBA in only three years.  

Seeking to transfer his military experience into the energy sector, Foster is excited about joining the Kellogg Energy and Sustainability Club. “One of the primary reasons I joined the submarine force was to work in nuclear energy,” he shares. "I hope to build on that experience to find purpose-driven work in energy. The Energy and Sustainability Club is an excellent platform to translate my military nuclear power experience to the civilian energy industry.” 

A dedication to lifelong learning is an invisible thread that connects the Kellogg community all around the world. It’s what compelled Isabel Botero ’27 MMM Program, to leave her hometown of Bogotá, Colombia and enroll in the school’s immersive dual-degree program. 

“I’m excited for the MMM Program’s hands-on learning opportunities — especially the dedicated studio space and classes like Research, Design, Build and Business Innovation Lab — which will help me build a strong foundation in design thinking and develop impactful digital solutions to address complex challenges, particularly in education,” says Botero. “Socially, I’m looking forward to ‘small group dinners’ where I can connect with new people on a deeper level.” 

A curious, creative thinker, Maria Felix-Padilla ’27 One-Year MBA Program loves collaborating with others to solve complex problems. Having sharpened her critical thinking as a consultant at Bain & Company and during her undergrad at the University of Pennsylvania, Felix-Padilla knows she thrives when challenged to quickly absorb and apply knowledge. 

“The One-Year MBA Program at Kellogg was the single most important factor in my decision, as its accelerated pace and immersive structure perfectly match my appetite for steep learning curves,” Padilla shares. “The program’s format allows me to build on my existing business foundation without repeating coursework, freeing me to focus immediately on advanced electives and experiential learning.” 

With a hunger for data and tech, Saahithi Budharaju ’27 MBAi Program, wanted an MBA program where he could dive into AI from day one — both through learning and hands-on application. “During Day at Kellogg, I was curious to learn how the curriculum keeps up with a field that changes so rapidly. One student shared how a professor pivoted away from the original syllabus overnight to address the release of a groundbreaking large language model,” says Budharaju. “This level of responsiveness made it clear to me that Kellogg isn’t just keeping pace with change but also making sure students are prepared to lead it.”  

Sabarinath Sunil ’27 Two-Year MBA is an engineer turned product manager with an entrepreneurial instinct. Sunil is more than 8,000 miles away from home as he attends Kellogg, but the school’s International Student Experience team has helped ease the distance. 

“The team has been incredible, and they’ve put in so much thought and effort to ensure a smooth transition for international students, conducting webinars on everything from transportation in Chicago to health and safety in the U.S.,” he shares. “The pre-term three-week American Culture and English Program (ACE) gave me the chance to meet fellow international students early on and gain insight into the nuances of American culture in a supportive, low-pressure environment.” 

Shannen Lawson ’27 Two-Year MBA Program lives by one motto: always be ready to turn chaos into opportunity. This mentality is what piqued her interest in the school’s Growth & Scaling Pathway. “I’ve always been comfortable in planning mode — breaking down problems and mapping strategy — but I’m eager to strengthen my execution skills,” she says. "The Growth & Scaling pathway feels like the ideal way to build that muscle, especially in fast-paced, high-growth environments.”  

“I also love how engaged faculty are in the startup and investing world and how connected Kellogg is to Chicago’s broader VC and PE ecosystem,” says Lawson. “It feels like the kind of place where I can learn by doing and grow as both a builder and leader.” 

Invigorated and full of bold ideas, the Kellogg Class of 2027 carries a shared commitment to growth. Whether driven by purpose, passion or curiosity, these students are ready to make their mark — on campus, in their communities and around the world. 

Read next: Campus connections: How MBA students are cultivating community