Kacie Heinz, Texas McCombs MBA Class of 2026
Age: 29
Hometown: Dripping Springs, TX
Undergraduate Institution and Major: United States Military Academy – Human Geography
Master Institution and Major: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Space operations
Pre-MBA Work Experience: United States Army Officer for over 6 years (Engineer Officer, then Space Operations Officer)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I began transitioning out of the Army in 2024. I was going through the medical retirement process and knew I needed to come up with a game plan for my career pivot. I wanted to take my leadership abilities and grow upon those in an environment that encourages problem-solving and innovation. An MBA seemed like a great transition that would allow me to gain additional skills to thrive in the business sector.
Why did you choose Texas McCombs? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I toured McCombs as a member of the Cohort 5. Cohort 5 is comprised of family and friends of current McCombs students. While learning about the program from an outside perspective, I made the decision that I wanted to also be a part of this great program and legacy. I immediately left the tour and began working on my application. I was drawn in by all the opportunities, such as McCombs+ projects working with real businesses, Board Fellows – supporting non-profits, and the welcoming environment by students and staff. If you are thinking about applying in a later round for the program – do it!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2026?
There are two distinct values I bring to the program that I openly share with the Class of 2026. First, I am a proud Army Veteran. Serving my country aided in my development to always discover a sense of purpose in my profession. I share the lessons I learned with my peers on leading diverse groups in austere environments.
Additionally, I have a mobility disorder called hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). I am a strong advocate for people with disabilities and for the importance of diverse work environments. Forbes contributor Diane Winiarski, wrote an article titled “How People with Disabilities make a Positive Impact in the Workplace.” The article details how companies benefit from hiring people with disabilities “from higher revenue and enhanced productivity to a more positive and supportive environment.” I believe representation is important and I am proud to be able to represent the hEDS community.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I attend a cooking class in every country I visit! I love cooking and I love traveling, so learning about traditional recipes from locals is the best combination.
Post-MBA career interests:
Consulting
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Attend an event on campus! Connecting with other Veterans in the program as well as those in the clubs I was interested in gave me a deeper understanding of the commitment and community.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would begin the application process sooner so I would not be as stressed to make deadlines.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The one part of the application process that caused me a lot of stress was my long- and short-term career goals portion. I knew I wanted to use my MBA to benefit my community, but there are so many career options that exist, I struggled to narrow it down before beginning the MBA program. Since starting my MBA, I have switched my short-term and long-term goals many times after learning about some of the unique careers other graduates have pursued.
What is your initial impression of the Texas McCombs MBA students/culture/community?
I immediately felt welcomed at McCombs, and it was very clear that there was a club and group organization for each student to be an active part of. The openness of each student to share their experiences in the program helped me gain a true understanding of the expectations of the program. Earning an MBA is not a cakewalk, but the teachers and peers help make the experience enjoyable.
What is one thing you have learned about Texas McCombs that has surprised you?
The best surprise about McCombs is how close I am with my study group. McCombs places you into groups of 5 or 6 students from all different backgrounds. Study groups complete homework assignments and prepare projects together. My study group, the Data Darlings (yes, we came up with the name), is such an incredible group of individuals that I know I am going to be close with for many years to come.
What is one thing you are most anxious about in your first year?
I was most anxious about balancing the new workload. Understanding that classes are just half of the MBA experience and networking plus extracurricular activities make up the second half is something that was fairly new to me.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am most excited for all the new people I am going to meet and for some Texas Football!!
