Ace Bonkowski, MSU Broad MBA Class of 2026
Age: 23
Hometown: East Lansing, MI | Frankfurt, Germany
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Dual Bachelor of Arts, Digital Media, DHBW Mannheim, Germany
Pre-MBA Work Experience (role, company, years): Art Director, 01/2024-07/2024, Serviceplan Group (Top Marketing Agency in Europe); Founder, Art Director & Program Manager 11/2021-07/2024, Ace Bonkowski Freelancer; Digital Media Professional, 08/2020-12/2023, Fraunhofer SIT (Leading Research Institute in Cybersecurity in Europe)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
While still in undergraduate school, I knew I wanted to pursue an MBA. Freelancing, start-ups, and the corporate world quickly showed me that great results need a well-thought-through strategy. Seeing the bigger picture has always been my strength. Impacting such strategies to create value for all parties in the business world needs qualifications. That‘s the reason why I am here – to do the right things and to do them greatly.
Why did you choose MSU Broad? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I appreciated how much effort MSU Broad into preparing prospective students for the application process. By attending multiple Q&A sessions, I got the guidance I needed to submit a successful application. Such a supportive, considerate community was a high priority for me.
Additionally, MSU Broad offered me generous scholarships & fellowships to financially aid my degree. Since I come from a first-generation student background, my educational opportunities are closely tied to financial restrictions – a concern MSU alleviated.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I think my background and the sheer range of my experiences equipped me with a unique blend of discipline and grace for others. Growing up in a very explosive family dynamic, most of my life was pretty rocky.
Raising myself on my own, I started working at 13, spent Christmas with other families, and even slept in my car for some time because I had no place to go. Additionally to my upbringing, being the only queer person caused me to feel very lonely for so long. There was just no blueprint for what I wanted to achieve and who I wanted to become.
I remember spending months after months in hospitals, being insulted in public for my queerness and the rough patches of getting clean. Overcoming all of that, combined with working with a variety of people, from individuals in Indian slums and hospices to artists and even C-level executives in multinational companies, changed me quite a bit.
I firmly believe that regardless of the cards we are dealt, greatness is truly earned. Taking responsibility to be better each day for ourselves and the people in our lives enables us to build a wonderful life – irrespective of our starting position. And, through those hardships, I feel more connected with people. We all go through it from time to time and are uniquely shaped by our past experiences. Being authentically curious about other people‘s perspectives and resonating with their hardships allows me to build bridges, regardless of background.
And, if there is just a single person who feels more encouraged to try and less out of place by my story, this world is a little brighter.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love gardening. Taking care of something and watching it flourish over time makes me incredibly happy. Currently, my roommate and I are redoing my house‘s severely overgrown backyard to plant some grass, fruit, and veggies for next year.
Post-MBA career interests:
With several years of experience in Marketing, Customer Experience, and Art Direction, I aim to continue this path by diving into Brand or Product Management. I believe that consciousness, commitment, and curiosity enable us to create truly excellent products and experiences that matter beyond time – the reason I want to transition into the luxury industry.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
It might be my marketing background shining through: Tell your STORY! People hire other people and not their resumes. Since you spend all these months researching schools, preparing applications, and studying for tests, there has to be something deeper that carries you through that. Make that stand out in your essays! There might be 5,000 people who scored similarly on the GMAT, but your motivation is uniquely yours.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
In retrospect, I‘m pretty happy with how I managed this period of my life. However, I’d have started earlier to study for the GMAT. My lack of math background paired with nervousness didn‘t yield the test results I was hoping for. This was a key lesson for me that led me to stay ahead in my finance and accounting classes now that I‘m at Broad.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Honestly, I would not have skipped anything. I firmly believe that the value of our achievements is directly proportionate to the amount we devote ourselves to them. Cutting corners, dodging responsibility, and playing tricks make the things that should matter shallow – at least, that is true for me.
However, that doesn’t mean I enjoyed every second of the application process. Studying for the GMAT and preparing my application while completing my Bachelor‘s thesis led to 70-hour work weeks. But pushing through formed my devotion to this program.
What is your initial impression of the MSU Broad students/culture/community?
I am blessed with a wonderful class that brings so much diversity, experience, and talent. As usual, you bond closer with some than others, but I feel very appreciated here.
What is one thing you have learned about MSU Broad that has surprised you?
I knew that Broad puts a lot of emphasis on community. However, I did not expect such a wide range of social activities, student resource groups, and cross-college events. There are so many opportunities to connect, you are just not able to attend them all.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The mathematical and financial parts of the curriculum! I don‘t necessarily feel anxious, but I am very aware I need to invest a little more resources on those. My last substantial math class took place 7 years ago and my professional background does not necessarily intersect much with that. Accordingly, you will find me practicing over and over and over again.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Probably all of it! Studying in the US has been a childhood dream of mine. However, the rough patches life throws at you sometimes combined with the financial aspect of this endeavor made it seem unachievable. With this wish coming true, I look forward to all the professional, academic, and personal development I‘m about to dive into.
