Graham McPhail, Florida Warrington MBA Class of 2028
Age: 29
Hometown: High Point, NC
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Florida, Marketing
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Retail Leadership and Technology, 7 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I decided I was ready to take the next step in my career. After seven years of development both personally and professionally, attending business school felt like the natural progression. I had accumulated a wide range of experience and reached a point where I knew my skills were ready to be applied in a bigger arena. Earning my MBA was the way to get there.
Why did you choose Florida Warrington? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Two things: becoming a double Gator and the people of the Warrington community. Returning to the University of Florida for my MBA was always my dream. As I evaluated programs, Warrington kept checking every box, from the return on investment to the extensive alumni network. The Gator Nation truly is everywhere, and that is not something you find at every program. Every student and alum I spoke with had the same energy about the University of Florida, and that consistency made the choice clear.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
My emotional intelligence and ability to bring people together. I have a knack for reading a room, understanding what each person brings to the table, and helping a group find its rhythm. In a cohort as diverse and talented as ours, I want to be the person who fosters those connections and makes sure we are all looking out for one another.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I have won several hula hooping competitions throughout my life. Poolside or not, I am an incredible hula hooper.
Post-MBA career interests:
Transition into Strategy, where I can leverage my experience leading teams and improving operations to help organizations solve complex problems.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Without question, I would connect with current students again. They were my most valuable resources and biggest cheerleaders throughout the process. Hearing directly from people who were already living the experience gave me a perspective I simply couldn’t get from a website, and their insight helped me feel confident that the University of Florida was the right fit for me.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Apply early. If you are sitting on the fence wondering whether the MBA is the right move, it probably is. And if you already know the program you want, try your best to apply during Round 1. The earlier you commit to the process, the more opportunity you give yourself to make the most of it.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Honestly, I wouldn’t skip any of it, because the process is part of what prepares you for what comes next. But if I had to answer, it would be the wait after the interview. There’s nothing quite like replaying every answer in your head and wondering what you should have said differently. What got me through it was my family, my friends, and my dog Olive, who has no idea what an MBA is, but we’re working on that.
What is your initial impression of the Florida Warrington students/culture/community?
I have a bit of an unfair advantage here, having completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Florida as well, so this was less of a first impression and more of a confirmation of what I already believed. What’s always struck me about the Gator Nation is how quickly we rally around each other. Whether it’s a professional development event or a community service project, the instinct is to show up. That hasn’t changed between undergrad and the MBA program. If anything, it feels more intentional now.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
The first organization that comes to mind is the MBA Association (MBAA), a student-run organization that connects students, alumni, and the broader community. There’s something meaningful about giving back to a program while you’re still a part of it, and I want to help make the experience even more fulfilling for the students who follow us.
What is one thing you have learned about Florida Warrington that has surprised you?
How much power there is in a smaller cohort. A tight cohort creates a level of trust and collaboration that’s hard to replicate. You actually know the people you’re working with every day, and that changes how you learn and how you lead. Working closely with classmates from such diverse backgrounds is already sharpening my perspective in ways I didn’t expect.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
The people. I’m genuinely excited to be in a room with classmates who come from such different backgrounds and industries. Every conversation is an opportunity to see things from a perspective I may not have considered. And beyond the classroom, I’m excited to see how this cohort challenges each other, supports each other, and builds connections that last well past our time at the University of Florida.
