Walton MBA takes pride in the diverse set of backgrounds our students bring to the program. Devon Palumbo’s story is unique and has impacted her time in the program. Devon, Walton MBA Class of 2021, graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. In 2017 as an undergraduate at the U of A, she traveled to India through the study abroad program led by Vikas Anand, executive director for MBA Programs and Graduate Innovation. Following the program, she decided to stay in India to work as an intern for Sumagli Seva Ashram, a girls’ orphanage, examining how non-profits operate in emerging countries.
Devon said her time abroad “changed the entire trajectory of what I wanted to do with my life.” She decided to travel to South America for seven months where she contracted with families and small business learning agricultural skills, small business knowledge and participating in cultural exchanges. While in South America, Devon became interested in applying for the Walton MBA program. When she returned to the United States, she contacted Anand.
She applied. He cancer went into remission in March 2019, and she began the MBA program in August 2019.
During her time in the Walton MBA Program, Devon has shared her story and taken advantage of all the opportunities offered by the Walton MBA. Devon got an internship with Unilever through the MBA Internship program and through connections in Northwest Arkansas.
“I don’t think a lot of other MBA programs can give you those connections,” Devon said. “The global immersion is such an important part of this program; my time abroad has been at least as valuable if not possibly more than my time in school.” The Walton MBA program provides each student with the opportunity to find an internship in Northwest Arkansas during the MBA interview week and requires one of three global immersions opportunities for all students.
Devon values the importance of the global immersion requirement because she learned business and life skills that she believes “cannot be learned unless you actually go abroad.”
Devon also has participated and competed in the supply chain case study. The Walton MBA program takes pride in students like Devon who brings to the program her diverse backgrounds and passion for global immersion.
