In this Fridays from the Frontline, Kelvin White, MBA ’27, shares his path from Army life to an MBA at Notre Dame Mendoza. He discusses the factors he weighed in his decision-making process, the support he found in the program, and how Mendoza became another base for his leadership. Read on for his story.
Grounded in Purpose – A Veteran’s Journey to Mendoza
By Kelvin White, Notre Dame Mendoza MBA, Class of 2027
Choosing Notre Dame was not just an academic decision for me. It was a family decision, a values decision, and a timing decision made during a season of real uncertainty.
My transition out of the Army was more abrupt than I expected. After nearly a decade in uniform, including time in special operations, I found myself at a crossroads sooner than planned. At the same time, my wife and I were focused on what mattered most, keeping our family together and creating stability for our children. That reality shaped every option I considered. I knew I wanted to pursue business school, but I also knew that how I did it mattered just as much as where I went.
During that process, I reached out to a mentor and former 75th Ranger Regiment Alum, LTC Will Kobbe, who serves as the Professor of Military Science at Notre Dame. One conversation turned into several. That connection ultimately led to an opportunity for my wife, Emilie, to return to Notre Dame, the ROTC program she originally commissioned from in 2017. It was clear that this decision was deeper than just pursuing my MBA. It was about joining a community that had already impacted our lives.
When I arrived on campus, the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs was my first touchpoint. OMVA gave me the lay of the land, shared available resources, and checked in with me as I navigated both school and family logistics. That foundation mattered, especially during the early days of transition. But what has most shaped my experience has been how quickly support turns into opportunity inside Mendoza.
Our MBA Veterans Club is advised by Senior Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Nicholas Berente. His approach is simple and decisive, creating pathways and moving forward. He has been intentional about positioning veterans to pilot experiential learning opportunities through ETA programs and personally, opening doors that pay real dividends. He is the type of leader who takes action, creates space and builds meaningful connections. Dean Berente sent a warm introduction on my behalf, small feat to some, but opening that door allowed me to earn an internship at NIKE, Inc. It came from leadership that actively connects students to opportunity and challenges them to step into it.
Because of that mindset, veterans are not waiting for permission to contribute. We are building programs, launching initiatives, and creating momentum for ourselves and better yet, for those coming behind us. The culture is driven by people who care, who act.
I wanted to be in a place where character is tangible, not just in slogans. In an uncertain moment, I chose Mendoza with purpose and family as my priorities. In the military, we learn that plans matter, but action matters more. From my experience, Notre Dame does more than talk about values and leadership. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, and I am committed to growing the good in business!
