"True growth comes from pushing beyond the classroom, applying your knowledge, and gaining diverse experiences that will prepare us for the future." — Madison Kuntz
Madison Kuntz didn’t plan to attend the University of Arkansas. She was set on Michigan—until a last-minute campus tour changed everything. Now a graduate with a B.S. in finance and a minor in data analytics, Kuntz is preparing to start her career at International Paper after serving as the 2025 undergraduate commencement speaker for the Sam M. Walton College of Business.
Throughout her time at the Walton College, she has championed the idea that emotional intelligence is just as critical as technical skill in business. We sat down with her during her final weeks on campus to talk about bold choices, global perspectives, and the lessons that shaped her into a thoughtful, strategic leader.
“Choosing Arkansas was my first big challenge. I was committed to Michigan until March of my senior year of high school when I toured Walton on a whim and fell in love. I told myself, "Don't worry about making the right decision—make a decision and then make it right." That became my philosophy. I didn't know anyone here, but I committed fully to making Arkansas work for me.
Later, being selected as commencement speaker pushed me again. I'd actually spoken that goal aloud as a freshman, and by senior year, people were holding me to it! Looking back, both experiences taught me that sometimes you have to be willing to take calculated risks when you discover something that aligns with your values and goals.”
“Dr. Molly Rapert's Global Consumers class challenged me to think on a global scale—questioning cultural traditions, trade dynamics, and consumer behavior. It really shifted my mindset from a micro to a macro perspective.
Also, International Finance with Dr. Dobrina Jandik combined practical finance skills with a global outlook. Both classes built on the technical foundation I had from earlier finance courses, but pushed me to ask broader, more strategic questions. They taught me that being a well-rounded business professional means understanding not just the numbers, but the human and cultural contexts behind them.”
“I read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman in my sophomore year, and one quote stuck with me: ‘CEOs are hired for their intellect and business expertise but fired for their lack of emotional intelligence.’ That line changed everything. I became fascinated with understanding how psychology intersects with business performance.
For my honors thesis, I developed my own emotional intelligence assessment. After two years of work and research funding from both Walton and the Honors College, I've proven that emotional intelligence is a determinant of success in sales.”
“It's become part of my personal brand, honestly. In interviews and competitions, it helps me stand out because while many candidates have similar technical backgrounds, few can speak about emotional intelligence as both a researcher and practitioner.
During the Walton Sales Competition, for example, I didn't use slides or scripts—I focused on genuinely connecting with people. That authentic approach, grounded in emotional intelligence principles, helped me win and actually led to a job offer from the sponsor, International Paper. It's taught me that in business, technical skills get you in the room, but emotional intelligence helps you succeed once you're there.”
“I had this fantastic professor, Jana Gastineau—we call her Miss G—who emphasized the importance of telling stories with data. That concept really resonated with me. Numbers are powerful, but they're meaningless unless you can translate them into insights that drive decisions.
Then I had a data-heavy internship with Colgate, where I saw firsthand how essential analytics are in real business decision-making. This semester, I worked on a project with Collier & Associates using five years of real estate data. We got to present our insights directly to their team, which was an incredible real-world application of everything I'd learned. It reinforced that in today's business environment, you need to be fluent in both finance fundamentals and data storytelling.”
“Dr. Rapert has been an incredible mentor throughout my journey—from study abroad guidance to thesis support. But she's also shown me the value of paying it forward. I've mentored younger students through my sorority and organizations like Beta Alpha Psi and Order of Omega.
Walton creates this culture where mentorship isn't just encouraged—it's expected. You realize that your success is connected to lifting others up, too. The relationships I've built mentoring others have been just as valuable as the ones with my own mentors. It's taught me that leadership isn't about individual achievement; it's about creating opportunities for others to succeed.”
“I went to everything—every career fair, block party, networking event I could fit into my schedule. Walton teaches you to practice early and often so you're confident when it really counts. I also took advantage of Resume Rescue and the Business Communication Lab for everything from resumes to cover letters.
Those resources made a tangible difference in my outcomes. But more importantly, they taught me that professional development isn't something you do senior year—it's a continuous process. The confidence I built through those early networking experiences carried forward into interviews and competitions throughout my time here.”
“Study abroad, for sure. It taught me adaptability, especially as someone who's very Type A, and how to work with people from different backgrounds in a completely new environment. The CIMBA program in Italy felt like a mini Fayetteville abroad, and the connections we built made it unforgettable.
Involvement is another big one. Balancing a full schedule helped me learn time management, accountability, and how to bring ideas to life. I rebuilt the campus presence of Order of Omega from the ground up this year, which was both challenging and rewarding.
And finally—learning to fail fast. That was a big fear coming into college, but Walton taught me that failure is part of growth. Ask questions, take risks, and keep moving forward. That mindset shift—seeing setbacks as data points rather than dead ends—is something I'll carry throughout my career.”
“That the willingness to take calculated risks and bet on yourself is often the difference between a good outcome and a transformative one. My whole Arkansas experience started with a last-minute decision to visit campus despite being committed elsewhere. Since then, every major opportunity—from research projects to competitions to this speaking role—came from saying yes to something that felt slightly outside my comfort zone.
We're graduating into a world that's changing rapidly, and the students who will thrive are those who combine technical competence with emotional intelligence, global awareness, and the courage to make bold moves when they see the right opportunity. Walton has prepared us not just with knowledge, but with the confidence to use it in ways that create value for others.”¬