Laura Kiepura, IU Kelley MBA Class of 2026
Age: 35
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Georgia State University, Anthropology major
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 10+ years in youth development, including roles in outdoor education and summer camp leadership with YMCA of the North and Camp Fire, as well as middle school math education at Woodbury Leadership Academy and high school outreach through University of Colorado Boulder Upward Bound program.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I genuinely enjoy working with young adults, empowering them to develop leadership skills and gain confidence in their unique talents. I have always believed in leading by example, and I realized that the best way for me to continue developing my own talents was to explore new opportunities for growth.
Why did you choose Indiana Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I thrive in community-based settings, and I was drawn to Kelley because of the many ways Kelley fosters a warm and collaborative community, including Me, Inc., established core teams, and the small-town culture of Bloomington. I like that the class size is big enough to invite a diversity of perspectives but small enough to allow for building meaningful peer relationships.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
After ten years of working with kids, I like to say that “I have made peace with my awkward.” I am enthusiastically willing to be the first person to reach out, to address situations of peer conflict, to volunteer to receive feedback, and to be openly excited about life. I hope that my willingness to be vulnerable in these ways sends a signal to my peers empowering them to feel confident being their authentic selves, too.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My nickname is “Sparkles,” because I am easily delighted by life’s simple pleasures.
Post-MBA career interests:
I am seeking leadership development programs and general management roles, though I am also keen to explore operations and change management opportunities.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely repeat the process of visiting MBA programs in person where possible, or speaking to recent alumni and students virtually when an in-person visit is not an option. My experience at Kelley’s Diversity Insights and Preview Weekend gave me a tremendous sense of confidence that I could succeed and be happy at business school, and this gave me the final courage I needed to commit to getting my MBA.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have done more research earlier. I started thinking about getting my MBA years before I began reaching out to schools. I thought that I would not be eligible to apply because I did not have a traditional business background. However, once I finally started attending events, I learned that the leadership skills I gained working in youth development were valued and valuable to MBA programs.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I wish I could go back and skip the anxiety I felt about submitting my resume. I got a bit lost in the pressure to perform for a while. Working with friends and mentors helped me to see my resume as an avenue for storytelling. This focus empowered me to communicate with better clarity and confidence.
What is your initial impression of the Indiana Kelley students/culture/community?
Kelley students are consistently willing to help each other. Very few students are from the Bloomington area, which means that coming to Kelley was a major transition for all of us. I think knowing we are all going through this transition together makes it easier for us to ask for and offer support to each other. Kelley intentionally fosters this bonding by bringing us together for the Me, Inc. program, which occurs 2.5 weeks before the official start of term. During Me, Inc., Kelley guided us through personal and team introspection, encouraging us to take ownership of our MBA experience and to recognize the many ways we can lift each other up and achieve success together.
What is one thing you have learned about Indiana Kelley that has surprised you?
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Kelley has the largest business school alumni network in the world!
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I am anxious about managing my time effectively. The MBA program is so much more than classwork. MBA program success involves building relationships with companies and alumni, along with taking the time to work out and understand the values that will guide you in navigating your future career path. Balancing the needs of assignments, networking, and introspection is an ever-present challenge.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am super excited about the collaborative learning environment here. As a career educator, I can honestly say that the core class professors at Kelley are some of the best I have ever seen. Kelley uses an integrated core model for the first 1.5 semesters of class, meaning that all first-year students have the same classes at the same time until after spring break. This was designed to create a shared first year experience and encourage students to work together cooperatively. The professors have carefully crafted the material so that it builds from one class to the next, and the intentional way they engage with us creates an awesome learning experience.
