Kaan Ardic ’26

I was born to Turkish immigrant parents, grew up in Houston, Texas, and studied engineering. After some time in tech consulting and manufacturing engineering, I became curious about the strategic decisions driving our work: why are we doing what we’re doing?

I chose to get an MBA at SOM for a few reasons. I wanted to be on the East Coast, a region of the U.S. I hadn’t experienced. The community feel on campus was unparalleled. And I wanted to bridge my technical problem-solving skills with a broader business perspective. SOM’s integrated core curriculum has really helped me see the bigger picture.

At SOM, exposure to diverse perspectives has widened my worldview. Within my learning team, we have a teacher, a consultant, a sustainability-focused professional—and me, a manufacturing engineer. Everyone brings different strengths to the table.

One of my favorite classes has been Leading Small and Medium Enterprises with A.J. Wasserstein. He really takes the time to familiarize himself with his students’ backgrounds. When we’re covering cases, he’ll call on the people with relevant experience. Before each class, we complete a survey that shapes our discussion. It’s definitely the most I’ve prepared for a class, and that process encourages excellent conversation.

Community is very important to me, so I’ve naturally found myself in several community-building roles at SOM. As the Red Cohort representative, I plan group activities like bowling, pumpkin carving, and gingerbread house-making. Our cohort also hosts themed small-group dinners, which we call Scarlet Supper Clubs. These are really popular and a great way to get to know people in a more intimate setting. I’m also an Orientation Leader and Global Network Week leader. We are a community that pays it forward, and I love that there are opportunities to give back and help others.

I’m also a member of the SOM honor committee, where we evaluate possible cases of dishonesty. The MBA program aims to develop the future leaders of the world, and at the core of good leadership is integrity, honesty, and trust. I wanted to be part of a group that ensures these values are instilled into our class.

Winter Formal during first year was by far one of my favorite memories at SOM. It made me realize how many friends I had made here in such a short time. Saying hello to everyone, dancing together—I realized just how ingrained I was in this community.