Through high-stakes, applied problem solving at the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business, Toma Tomonari’s graduate experience mirrored the pace and complexity of modern business.
At the McMillon Innovation Studio, Tomonari mentored undergraduate teams and partnered with global companies, guiding research, prototyping, and solution development from early insight to executive-level presentations. Originally from Japan, Tomonari came to the University of Arkansas to study computer science as an undergraduate. After three years working in a startup role, he returned to pursue his master’s degree at the Walton College, completing the program in summer 2026.
“From my undergraduate experience through the master’s program, McMillon and the Walton College put me in an environment where I was constantly pushed and supported when it mattered most,” Tomonari said. “I was surrounded by people building real things, and it raised my standard. I was able to step into a product role right after graduation because I had already done the work.”
That mindset began during his undergraduate years, when a project through McMillon led to a $10,000 win at the Arkansas Governor’s Cup and opened the door to Ox, a regional startup building AI-driven solutions for warehouse operations. There, he worked directly with users to shape software grounded in operational needs.
“I left my undergraduate experience ready. Now, as a master’s graduate, I’m ready to push further, take on bigger challenges, and build what comes next,” Tomonari said.