Full-time MBA student Kevin Perry won an IMPACT scholarship for his many campus contributions.

Kevin Perry is proof that you don’t need a background in business or technology to excel in Georgia Tech’s full-time MBA program.

“My undergraduate studies were in psychology and art history, so I wanted a program that would provide a counterpoint to the liberal arts background,” says Perry, a 2004 graduate of Dartmouth College.

After graduation, he initially pursued a career in the arts, working as the general manager of Museum of Design Atlanta’s retail store. “I came in with an interest in design but realized that the business side interested me more. I was responsible for day-to-day operations and long-term planning for the store, whose profits were vital to the museum’s operating budget.”

Perry then gained marketing experience as an associate at Dominion Capital Management before enrolling in Georgia Tech’s MBA program in fall 2008. Interning this summer for the health benefits company Humana, he plans to pursue a career in consumer marketing. 

“Through my MBA studies, I’ve discovered an interest in information technology and how it applies to new media and marketing efforts,” he says.

According to Perry, the program’s intentionally small class sizes have afforded him many opportunities to develop his leadership skills. He’s currently serving as philanthropy chair for Graduate Students in Management, and is a key organizer of the annual Reaching Out LGBT MBA Conference that will be held in Atlanta in the fall.

For his various efforts, Perry won one of only eight IMPACT scholarships awarded annually by Georgia Tech to students making positive contributions to the university community.

“In just one year, I have made friendships that I know will last a lifetime and connections that are already helping me to grow my career and achieve my professional goals,” Perry says. “The size of our program really allows me to build a strong network and get extra attention from professors, administrators, or Career Services whenever I need it….

“The value we get out of this program is unbeatable, and it’s nice to have the national rankings recognize that.” 

© 2012 Georgia Institute of Technology