Full-time MBA student Mel Collins praises W. P. Carey's commitment to community and inclusivity

Full-time MBA student Mel Collins (MBA '25) brought a unique combination of experience and education to the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Collins earned her undergraduate degree from the well-renowned Berklee College of Music and earned her master's degree in the United Kingdom. Collins decided an MBA was the best next step as she looked to move into a technology-focused career, which brought her to ASU and W. P. Carey.

Full-time MBA student Mel Collins (MBA '25) brought a unique combination of experience and education to the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Collins earned her undergraduate degree from the well-renowned Berklee College of Music, and after working in music and film, moved to the United Kingdom to earn her master's degree.

"It was during my creative master's degree that I noticed an institution-wide gap in collaboration opportunities for creative students," she says. "I developed a love for helping people become efficient and connected through technology, and after leaving the UK, wanted to continue to build on my new interest and skills."

Collins decided an MBA was the best next step as she looked to move into a technology-focused career. This brought her to ASU and W. P. Carey, where she is now a Full-time MBA student with concentrations in information management and artificial intelligence.

Helping future students find their fit

One of the deciding factors for Collins choosing W. P. Carey was her experience with the school's MBA Ambassadors. "Their outgoing personalities and candid conversations allowed me to understand some of the most important aspects of the program and made me feel as though I could fit here at ASU," she says.

This positive experience led Collins to become an MBA Ambassador and co-director of the program, so she could help future W. P. Carey MBA students find where they belong. She is also involved as a mentor with the Inclusive Achievement of Mastery (I AM) Mentor Program at ASU, providing one-on-one peer support to students with disabilities registered with SAILS.

"I want to be a representative of the many types of diversity I embody," she says. "I have often been ‘the first' or ‘the only,' and I hope that by raising my hand and being visible to others, they won't have to feel alone in navigating the program or, in general, the world the way I have."

Prior to starting her MBA, Collins joined the Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) MBA Professional Development program, a fellowship for people of color that provides one-on-one coaching, networking opportunities, and personalized career guidance. Collins described her experience in the program so far as "exciting" and "a lot of fun."

"I am incredibly happy that I found MLT's Professional Development program," she says. "Visible diversity is really important to me, as well as having a network of people who can relate to part of your experience, particularly in the world of MBA."

Becoming a connected leader

The Full-time MBA program at W. P. Carey aims to create leaders who are connected to the world around them and understand how to work with people from different cultural backgrounds and work experience. As someone who placed great emphasis on inclusivity and community when choosing her MBA program, Collins acknowledges how the W. P. Carey community aligns with those values.

"The W. P. Carey MBA community is a microcosm of the real world," she says. "It has been beneficial to learn about others, their backgrounds, the way different people work, and to have opportunities for leadership and growth. I have some incredible professors who make an effort to connect both in the classroom and outside — providing guidance not only on coursework, but leadership, team dynamics, career, and personal and professional growth."

One way Full-time MBA students receive personalized guidance and advice is through the Executive Connections mentorship program, which pairs students with experienced executives from a variety of industries.

"I've been able to develop relationships with not only my mentor, but others as well due to their willingness to mentor any student who is interested," says Collins. "I make a point to speak with as many current and past leaders as I can in order to gain insight into their journeys, which I then apply to my own. What I appreciate most is my mentors' candor, sincerity, and willingness to help me navigate the personal and professional aspects of the MBA, because business is personal."

This summer, Collins will embark on an IT strategy leadership development program before completing her MBA in 2025. She encourages anyone considering ASU's Full-time MBA program to take advantage of all the resources and opportunities available to students to make the most out of their time here. "The support is there to help you make the most of your education and career outcomes."