Reagan Price, a member of the Walton MBA Class of 2026, has distinguished herself through leadership, service, and academic excellence during her time at the University of Arkansas.
Price earned her BBA in Marketing from Baylor University in 2024 before joining the Walton Full-Time MBA program. Over the past two years, she has served as Program Director for the Springdale High School Mentorship Program, Graduate Assistant for the Walton College Department of Marketing, a Benjamin Franklin Lever Tuition Fellow, and a Walton MBA case competition team member and award-winning presenter. She also completed an MBA internship with Mars Petcare on the Walmart account, an experience that helped launch her full-time career. Now preparing to graduate, Price has been selected as the full-time MBA 2026 Graduate Outstanding Program Scholar.
Below, Reagan shares more about her journey, experiences in the program, and advice for future students.
Did you always plan on a career in business administration?
No, I did not. When I started undergrad, I thought I wanted to become a physical therapist, but after my first semester, I realized my heart was not in that path. At the time, changing directions felt monumental, and I worried that switching majors meant I had somehow failed. Over time, I came to understand that it was not failure at all. It was a move toward what better aligned with my strengths, curiosity, and long-term goals.
Business had always been close to me. Growing up, I watched my dad build a successful career in sales, which gave me an early appreciation for the power of relationships, communication, and strong business instincts. Once I made the switch, my academic career and professional aspirations felt far more natural. Looking back, this decision changed the trajectory of my life, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
What made you choose the full-time MBA program?
I chose the Walton full-time MBA program because I wanted to challenge myself personally and professionally. I had spent my entire life in Texas, so moving to Arkansas meant stepping far outside my comfort zone, but I knew I wanted to be in a program that would stretch me, value what I had to offer, and connect me to real career opportunities. What stood out most to me about Walton was its access to major companies and its deep ties to the business community, especially in Northwest Arkansas. I saw it as a place where I could build both capability and momentum. The Walton MBA did not just give me a degree. It opened corporate doors that have directly shaped the start of my career.
What is your current job? How are you applying what you’re learning in the program?
I recently started my full-time role as a Digital & Search Analyst at Mars Petcare, supporting the Walmart account in Northwest Arkansas. I began my journey with Mars as an MBA Strategic Sales intern, so it has been especially meaningful to stay with the company and continue building my career with my team. In my current role, I support the digital side of the business across the entire Petcare portfolio at Walmart, which is an exciting place to be given how important e-commerce and digital acceleration have become at Walmart and across the CPG industry.
What I use most from the Walton MBA is the perspective it gave me on Walmart, retail strategy, and leadership communication. One of the most valuable parts of the program has been learning in an environment so closely connected to Walmart and the broader Northwest Arkansas business community. Through the program, I have had the opportunity to interact directly with Walmart leaders and executives, which has given me far more context on how the customer operates than I could have gained from a textbook alone. That perspective has made me more effective in my role at Mars and has helped me contribute with a stronger understanding of the customer from the start.
What are your favorite moments or memories from the program?
Some of my favorite moments from the program have come from both leadership opportunities and the relationships I built within my cohort. One of the most meaningful experiences has been serving as Program Director for the Springdale High School Mentorship Program. In that role, I have had the opportunity to lead a team of Walton MBA mentors who work with high school seniors in the Business and Information Technology program at Springdale High School. Helping design workshops focused on business topics like résumé development, interview preparation, communication, and leadership has been incredibly rewarding because it allowed me to combine my interests in mentorship, education, and professional development in a way that served the broader Northwest Arkansas community.
I have also loved the friendships that came from this program. Some of my best memories are the moments outside the classroom that brought our cohort together and turned classmates into lifelong friends. Travel is one of my biggest passions, so getting to explore the world with people I met through this program has been especially meaningful.
As you approach graduation, what advice would you give to prospective or current students?
My biggest advice would be to push yourself, especially when something feels uncomfortable. Growth rarely comes from staying where everything feels familiar. Moving from Texas to Arkansas was one of the scariest decisions I have ever made because it meant leaving behind the people, routines, and place I had always known. But that decision gave me so much in return. It helped me build an incredible community, launch my career, and grow into a stronger leader and person. If you are considering the program, or already in it, do not hold back from opportunities that stretch you. Some of the best things that will happen to you here may begin with a decision that feels outside your comfort zone.
How has the program prepared you for future success?
The Walton MBA has strengthened the business foundation I built in undergrad while giving me a managerial perspective on how organizations operate, compete, and lead. It sharpened my ability to think strategically, communicate clearly, and connect ideas across functions, all of which have already been valuable as I begin my career. Just as importantly, the program gave me corporate exposure, meaningful mentorship, and relationships that I know will continue to shape my path long after graduation. I am incredibly proud to soon call myself a Walton MBA alumna, and I can say without hesitation that this program genuinely changed my life.
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Are you interested in building a career in business administration? Click here for more information about the program, including admission information, application deadlines, and how to schedule a time to talk to an enrollment advisor.
