Gavin Livingston, SMU Cox MBA Class of 2026
Age: 30
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Oklahoma State University, Bachelor’s in Agriculture Business, Master’s in International Agriculture
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Prior to starting the SMU Cox MBA program, I worked in strategy, partnerships, and donor development for conservation-focused nonprofit organizations for seven years. Most recently, I was the Curator of Mammals with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, which was a role for strategy, business operations, and international partnerships for the wildlife conservation department. I was very fortunate that my pre-MBA career allowed me to work in some amazing parts of the world and build a network of people passionate about protecting the environment.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I made the decision to attend business school because I was looking to make a career pivot and at the same time grow my leadership and quantitative skills. An MBA program is a powerful tool to help me achieve those objectives. I also knew from friends and family members getting an MBA that it has an incredible ROI for those that take full advantage of their programs.
Why did you choose SMU Cox School of Business? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
When evaluating MBA programs, I considered academic rigor, industries of focus, alumni network, and geography. I knew that I wanted to find a program that had very strong finance and real estate programs and was in the geographic region where I wanted to build my career. I was considering several schools, but as soon as I attended an open house event for Cox, met the admissions team, and talked with current students, I knew this was the right program to help me achieve my goals and contribute to the community.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
I think my value proposition to our MBA class is the different perspective I bring through my unique background. Coming from the conservation non-profit sector gives me a very different lens in which to view the business landscape.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I absolutely love to travel! Each year I make a goal of adding several new countries to my list of places that I have visited. The next country on my list is South Africa.
Post-MBA career interests
Post-MBA I am interested in Private wealth management and multi-family real estate development. Whichever path I ultimately go down with my MBA, I know that I want to be in a client-facing role. I really enjoy meeting as many people as possible and working with them to achieve their objectives.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
One thing I would do again in the application process is to be myself. I tried to let my personality and personal brand lead the direction of my application and essays. Business schools are not looking for generic students; they want MBA candidates who have unique experiences and perspectives on the world. I made sure to present myself authentically and not how I “thought” an MBA applicant should be during the interview process.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
One thing I would do differently is I would have more clearly articulated during the interview process the function I was interested in pursuing with an MBA. I knew during the interviews that real estate was my primary interest, but at the time, I wasn’t sure which sector of real estate or function within that sector. Being able to clearly articulate that part of my path could have been beneficial to sharing my story.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Moving! I have moved quite a few times for work and school in the past and it never gets easier. Every time you move to a new city, it feels like starting over, which can be both exciting and intimidating. I have always been very intentional, though, about finding people with common interests and values to build a community with from the start. Doing that always makes a new city feel like home very quickly.
What is your initial impression of the SMU Cox School of Business students/culture/community?
My initial impression of the SMU Cox culture is just how welcoming everyone has been. Administrators, professors, and 2nd year MBA students have all gone out of their way to help make my start in the MBA program a success. There is a very strong sense of team/community in the MBA program, and I have already developed deep friendships with other members of my cohort. I know that the relationships I am developing from the Cox community will stay with me throughout my personal and professional life.
What is one thing you have learned about SMU Cox School of Business that has surprised you?
The thing that surprised me the most is how supportive the alumni from SMU Cox are of the current MBA students. I have had such positive experiences meeting and interacting with Cox alumni, even before the program started. I have gained not only networking contacts from the alumni I have been able to meet, but mentors as well. The SMU Cox alumni network is supremely strong in Texas and is a very critical component of our success.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
The thing I am most anxious about is re-learning how to be a student again. I have been in the workforce for a while and the basic habits utilized for success in an undergraduate degree will take some time to have that muscle memory come back.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited about the Global Leadership Program that my class will have the opportunity to be part of in the Spring semester. We will get to work on a consulting project with a local company in the region the class is visiting. My group will be going to Latin America, with stops in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile.
