Keaton May, Indiana Kelley MBA Class of 2028
Age: 28
Hometown: Rensselaer, Indiana
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Purdue University, B.S. in Family & Consumer Sciences Education, with a concentration in Early Childhood
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, William Henry Harrison High School, Industry: Education, August 2021–October 2025.
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
For several years, I was focused on building my career in education, and I genuinely loved many parts of being a teacher. Over time, though, I became increasingly interested in the broader world of business, particularly problem-solving, strategy and working with people in different industries. The timing of my decision was also very personal. An unexpected opportunity came up in my life that gave me the chance to step back and reconsider what I wanted my future to look like. Instead of immediately moving into another role in education, I decided to use that moment of change to take a risk and pursue something I had been thinking about for a while. An MBA felt like the right next step because it would let me build on the abilities and skills I developed as an educator while opening the door to an entirely new career. I knew that making such a significant transition would be challenging, but I also knew that I might not get another moment when I had the freedom and motivation to make such a big change.
Why did you choose Indiana Kelley? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Kelley stood out to me because it felt like a place where I could genuinely see myself growing. I visited Bloomington in November, and at the end of that visit I remember thinking, “I can do this. This is where I want to be.” That feeling was strong enough that I went home and started studying for the GMAT with Kelley as my goal. The people were a huge part of that decision. I was looking for a community that was ambitious but also supportive and where I could come in with a nontraditional background and still feel like I belonged. Kelley also offered the academic flexibility to explore my interests in strategy, leadership, consulting and global business. The opportunity to pursue the Kelley Merit Fellowship was another meaningful part of my decision. More than anything, though, Kelley felt like a place where I could build the future I was working toward while still being myself.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I think I bring the perspective of someone who has spent years learning how to make a room full of very different people work together. Teaching taught me how to communicate with different audiences, adjust quickly when something is not working and make people feel seen and included. It also taught me patience, preparation and how to stay calm when plans change. Those skills have translated surprisingly well into business school. I also bring a genuine enthusiasm for people. I enjoy getting to know people with completely different backgrounds and learning what motivates them. I hope I can contribute not only in the classroom but also by helping create a community where people feel comfortable being themselves and taking risks.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I love running, and I have a tendency to turn it into a much bigger challenge than I originally intended. I ran my first half marathon in 2024 and finished in 3:01. I ran my second half marathon in 2025 and finished in 1:51, which became a personal record I was really proud of. After taking some time away from serious training, I decided I wanted another goal to work toward, so I am currently training for a hilly half marathon in Brown County this November. I like that running gives me something completely separate from school and career goals to work on. There is something very satisfying about watching months of small, consistent efforts eventually turn into a faster race.
Post-MBA career interests:
I am most interested in consulting, particularly work involving strategy, problem-solving and helping organizations navigate change. I am also interested in opportunities with an international or global component. My background in education has made me especially interested in work that involves people as much as it involves analysis. I want to continue developing my business skills during my MBA while exploring where my strengths in communication, relationship-building and problem-solving can have the greatest impact.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely visit the schools I was seriously considering. Visiting Kelley completely changed the way I thought about the process. It was one thing to read about a program online and another to actually walk around campus, meet people and imagine myself as a student there. That visit gave me a feeling I could not have gotten from a ranking or a website. I left Bloomington knowing that it was the right fit for me.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have trusted myself earlier in the process. I spent a lot of time worrying about whether I looked like a traditional MBA applicant because my background was in education. Looking back, I think I would have been better served by focusing earlier on what I actually brought to the table rather than trying to figure out whether I fit a particular MBA profile. A nontraditional background can be a strength when you can clearly explain how your experiences have prepared you for what you want to do next.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
The GMAT. I understand why it is part of the process, but standardized testing was probably the part of the application process I found least enjoyable. What helped me get through it was having a very specific reason for doing it. Once I had visited Kelley and decided that this was where I wanted to be, studying for the GMAT stopped feeling like an abstract hurdle and started feeling like one step toward a goal I genuinely cared about.
What is your initial impression of the Indiana Kelley students/culture/community?
My biggest impression has been how willing people are to help each other. Business school can obviously be competitive, but I have been struck by how often people share advice, introduce one another to people in their networks or simply make an effort to include someone. I also appreciate how many different backgrounds are represented within the class. Coming from education, I was initially unsure how my experience would translate into an MBA environment. Instead, I have found that people are genuinely interested in what others have done before Kelley. There is a real sense that everyone is here to grow, but that growth does not have to come at someone else’s expense.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I am planning to get involved with the Consulting Club, Movement Club, Out At Kelley and several activities within the MBA Association. Kelley’s MBAA provides opportunities to get involved across the program, and I am excited to explore more of those opportunities as I get settled in. I am especially interested in Consulting Club because I want to strengthen my case interview skills and prepare for consulting recruiting and internship opportunities. Movement Club is a natural fit because staying active has always been an important part of my life, and I like having opportunities to connect with other people who enjoy an active lifestyle. I am also looking forward to Out At Kelley because of its focus on building an inclusive community and supporting LGBTQ+ students and allies while creating opportunities for social connection, networking and professional development. More broadly, I want to take advantage of the many other opportunities Kelley offers to meet people outside of my immediate classes and career interests. I came to business school wanting to build a community, not just a résumé.
What is one thing you have learned about Indiana Kelley that has surprised you?
I have been surprised by how quickly Kelley has started to feel like a community rather than simply a school. Coming from a completely different professional background, I expected there to be a bigger adjustment period. Instead, I have found that people are very willing to bring you into conversations and help you find your place. I have also been pleasantly surprised by how much of the MBA experience happens outside the classroom. Some of the most valuable learning has come from working with classmates, hearing their perspectives and figuring out how to solve problems together.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I am excited about experiencing the parts of being a student that I did not really get to experience during my undergraduate years. I am looking forward to football games, getting involved in clubs, going to events with classmates and simply having the chance to enjoy being part of a campus community. Most of all, though, I am excited about the friendships I will build and getting to watch my classmates pursue goals that are important to them. One of the best parts of business school is that everyone arrives with a different story and a different idea of where they want to go. I am excited to see my classmates succeed, take new opportunities and even travel around the world for the careers they have dreamed about. I hope that by the end of my first year, I will have not only grown professionally but also have a group of friends and memories that I will carry with me long after the MBA is over.
