The MBA Class of 2026 at the University of California, Irvine, Paul Merage School of Business exemplifies an impressive blend of global diversity, professional accomplishments, and personal aspirations.
Forty-six students make up the new class in California. Forty percent are women and 54 percent are international students. During their undergraduate studies, the Merage students earned an average GPA of 3.43. A fifth had majored in engineering and the same in administration. Nearly 16 percent had studied information and computer science followed by roughly 13 percent earning degrees in the social sciences. Prior to matriculating, UCI Merage students accumulated an average of six years of work experience. When it came time to take the GMAT, they landed an average score of 654. Those who opted to take the GRE reported an average score of 323.
As we look beyond the class profile in this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students, we meet a handful of students with backgrounds spanning fintech, investment banking, consumer marketing, project management, and military leadership. Students like Adedayo Adeniyi, Kalyani Madhu, Manali Chavan, Penélope Soto Leyva, and Steven Yang bring a wealth of unique perspectives to the UCI Merage classroom. Each member of the cohort is driven by a shared commitment to innovation, personal growth, and community impact, qualities that are enriched by UCI Merage’s supportive culture, small class size, and emphasis on digital transformation.
Whether drawn to UCI Merage by its commitment to digital leadership, the personalized support offered to international students and veterans, or the school’s close-knit, collaborative environment, these students have found a home where they can push boundaries and grow. Adedayo seeks to blend his fintech expertise with Merage’s Digital Leadership specialization, while Kalyani, transitioning from a tech background, finds support in the Women in Business initiative. For others, like Steven and Penélope, Merage’s veteran and international student support structures offer the resources needed to successfully pivot their careers.
These Merage MBAs are not only ambitious in their professional pursuits but are also deeply committed to making a positive impact—whether through sustainable business practices, community-building, or innovative problem-solving. As they embark on their journey at Merage, they look forward to growing alongside a cohort that shares their drive for lifelong learning and meaningful change. Read on for their stories.
