Community and connection drew former Peace Corps volunteer Catherine Phillips to ASU MBA

Giving back to others is incredibly important to Full-time MBA student Catherine Phillips (MBA '24), who came to the W. P. Carey School of Business after serving in the Peace Corps and spending two years working in third-party logistics. When she decided to pursue a graduate education, she sought out an institution that emphasized values like leadership, community, and connection.

Giving back to others is incredibly important to Full-time MBA student Catherine Phillips (MBA '24), who came to the W. P. Carey School of Business after serving in the Peace Corps and spending two years working in third-party logistics. "I wanted to pivot away from education into supply chain management and sustainability and knew that an MBA would provide the necessary academics, leadership, and networking opportunities to advance my career."

For Phillips, choosing an MBA program required professional and personal reflection. "Professionally, it is important to attend a program that is nationally and internationally recognized as it's an indication of the academic rigor and networking opportunities afforded to you," she says. "From a personal standpoint, it is important to choose a program whose attributes align with your interest."

When she decided to pursue a graduate education, she sought out an institution that emphasized values like leadership, community, and connection.

"As a first-generation Jamaican American, I've always had an appreciation for culture and diversity," she says. "Working abroad has helped to deepen that love and cultural sensitivity, and it taught me about global socioeconomic challenges in areas such as supply chain, technology, and education."

Finding the right business school

After considering her career goals and desired environment, Phillips made her decision. "I had three graduate school options, and I chose W. P. Carey because of its academic rigor, enriching culture, and dedication to thoughtful leadership."

Speaking with students, alumni, and faculty was incredibly helpful. "The student ambassadors who engaged my questions and curiosity were so instrumental in helping me to learn about their respective programs, school culture, networking, and career opportunities," she says.

Those interactions with students sparked a desire in Phillips to want to do the same for future applicants, so she joined the W. P. Carey MBA Ambassadors, a group inviting current MBA students to speak with prospective students and share their thoughts and experiences at W. P. Carey.

"Having served as an ambassador and now acting co-director of the organization, the opportunity to work with prospective students is my way of paying it forward," Phillips says. She enjoys passing along the positive energy and care that was so generously given to her as an applicant.

The W. P. Carey community

The MBA Ambassadors program is just one example of the Where Business is Personal culture at W. P. Carey. For Full-time MBA students, this means being a part of a small cohort with their classmates that sparks connections between students, as well as faculty and staff.

Phillips shared a personal story of how strong the bond is among W. P. Carey Sun Devils.

"In December 2022, I tore my left Achilles tendon, and I spent 2023 repairing and strengthening the ankle," she says. "This school and my cohort supported me throughout the entire process, making concessions for me to attend class, assisting with post-surgery needs, providing transportation… you name it, they did it."

"This is what Where Business is Personal means. We all entered this program together, and we're committed to completing it together as a unit."

By forming these connections, students are also becoming better leaders by sharing experiences with each other, learning to listen, and collaborating to find solutions to real-world problems. By graduation, Full-time MBA students will have the tools they need to become connected leaders who can transform their organizations.

"Collaboration within the MBA program and cross-functionally with other graduate programs teaches us leadership and followership," Phillips says. "It also empowers healthy debates and conversations where preconceived notions and ideals are both affirmed and challenged. Through these experiences, I am being shaped into a thoughtful leader and change agent."