MBA Pride Journeys

As June unfolds, Broad College’s MBA community comes together to celebrate Pride Month and the spirit of Spartan Pride. This annual observance is more than a calendar event, it’s a chance for LGBTQ+ students, alumni, and allies to connect, reflect, and recommit to building an inclusive campus where every Spartan can bring their whole selves to the table.

Kara Tripi, director of admissions and enrollment for the full-time MBA program and a key advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the program, notes that Pride Month holds heightened meaning this year. “Pride Month holds heightened importance amidst current political adversity toward the LGBTQIA+ community,” she shared. “It offers vital visibility and fosters connection for our MBA students, while still serving as a protest for equal rights.”

The MBA program actively partners with organizations like Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA), the MSU Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, and the Gender Affirmation Project to support LGBTQ+ students year-round. “Additionally, our MBA student resource group, Spartan Pride, hosted several impactful events this academic year,” Tripi added, “including a Queer Entrepreneurship panel that featured local queer business owners sharing their experiences with our MBA students.” These events have helped foster a sense of belonging and empowerment within the MBA community.

Spartan Pride is the premier LGBTQ+ business organization at Michigan State University, rooted in the Spartan commitment to more than just academic achievement. It reflects a broader mission: to develop leaders who are equipped to build strong, resilient teams in any environment.

Spartan Pride embodies this spirit through visibility and action. Over the past year, the organization has hosted a variety of engaging events, including a pumpkin carving social, a panel featuring queer entrepreneurs from the city, and relaxed coffee hours designed to build community. They also recently celebrated a milestone by printing their first batch of branded merchandise.

Read more from two MBA candidates about their experiences in Spartan Pride.

Nick Korpics MBA Class of 2026

For Nick, a veteran turned MBA candidate, Spartan Pride has been a lifeline of camaraderie and understanding. Drawing on leadership skills honed in the military, he has found in Pride Month a safe space to share both his professional ambitions and his personal journey. 

“Before I was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy after years of service as a supply corps officer, I began searching for a way to translate the leadership and resilience I had developed into a new environment. I spent years managing logistics operations aboard warships and medical facilities around the world. It was a fast-paced environment and full of excitement, but the most rewarding part of my service was mentoring sailors. A large part of that involved helping them discover what they’re capable of in the face of self-doubt. It didn’t matter what they were struggling with, whether it be a lack of confidence, a difficult past, or quietly navigating their identity. My goal was always to help them build competence and confidence in their profession. In my experience guiding others, leadership has involved showing people they’re stronger than their circumstances while creating the structure and support to build self-esteem.”

“I wanted to translate those ambitions of leading and empowering others from the Navy into my private sector career, and I quickly found that the struggle extends beyond the defense sector. While out at sea, I became isolated from the events unfolding back home. It was jarring to return to civilian life and find that, despite the progress made over the past decade, living authentically as a queer individual in the United States has become increasingly challenging. Hence, the principle remains the same: to develop ourselves and each other to our maximum potential in the face of adversity and stigmatization.”

Ace Bonkowski, first-year MBA student and former Spartan Pride president

Ace, a first-year MBA student and former Spartan Pride president, has redefined what authentic leadership looks like in the MBA program. As someone who navigates uncertainty every day, Ace credits Spartan Pride events, like the pumpkin-carving social and peer-run mentorship circles, with giving them confidence to speak up, innovate, and build networks.

“Pride is about showing up—fully, honestly, and without apology. It’s about owning who you are and creating space for others to do the same. That, to me, is also what leadership is: not just guiding others, but setting them up to advocate for themselves and have agency.”

“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what “normal” means. I’ve come to believe it’s merely whatever is real. If something exists in the world, then it is normal. We all bring something meaningful to this shared space: our stories, identities, appearances, abilities, and relationships. And when you stay true to your version of normal, you lead by example. You give others permission to show up more authentically too.”

“This Pride Month may feel heavier than those before. The world feels uncertain. Some of us are navigating fear, pushback, or just plain fatigue. But the heart of Pride hasn’t changed. It’s still about courage, community, and the power of being seen. So please, take care of yourself. Do the things that bring you back to center, whether that’s hanging with friends, creating something, being in nature, or just resting. Talk to people who see you. Log off when you need to. You don’t need to have all the answers to be a leader.”

Throughout the month, the MBA Program will host a lineup of activities: an LGBTQ+ career panel, a volunteer day with local advocacy groups, and a showcase of Pride-themed case studies illustrating how supply chains, finance, and marketing benefit from diverse perspectives.

Looking ahead, Spartan Pride plans to expand its reach by launching a speaker series this fall and partnering with the Office of Student Affairs on year-round inclusivity training. As Broad’s MBA community continues to grow more diverse, these initiatives ensure that every student, regardless of background or identity, has resources, mentors, and events that celebrate their strengths.

Learn more about Spartan Pride and similar programs at Broad, visit the MBA program webpage.