KJ Malone
University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business
“An over-committed, future legal counsel that somehow finds time to binge-watch great TV shows.”
Fun fact about yourself: My first hike was on Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain.
Hometown: Memphis, TN
High School: Middle College High School
Major: Finance
Minor: International Business (concentration)
Favorite Business Course: BLAW 301 – Legal Environment of Business
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Volunteer Basketball Coach – Emerald Academy Middle School boys’ basketball team
- Vice President – Mu Iota chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Peer Mentor – University of Tennessee Success Academy, a mentorship community for minority students
- Lead Peer Consultant – Haslam College of Business Communications Studio, assisting students with resumes, interviews, and LinkedIn profiles
- Student Recruiter and Community Relations Chair – Minority Enhancement 4 UT, an admissions organization aiming to increase minority student enrollment and retention
- Haslam Leadership Scholar – Top university-wide honors program
- Smith Global Leadership Scholar – College of Business honors program
Where have you interned during your college career?
- 2023 – JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Chicago, IL – Corporate Analyst Development Program, Wealth Management Business Resiliency & Controls Intern
- 2022 – BMO Harris Private Bank in Chicago, IL – Wealth Management, Trust & Estate Settlement Intern
- 2022 – Options Group in London, UK – Research Analyst Intern
- 2021 – Kroger in Memphis, TN – Retail Management Intern
Where will you be working after graduation? JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Chicago, IL
Who is your favorite business professor? Melissa Grant is my favorite business professor due to her genuine interest and time investment in my personal and professional development. During the spring semester of my freshman year, I took Professor Grant’s ethical leadership and effective communication course. That same semester, I began working for her in the Haslam College of Business Communications Studio, where we assist students with resumes, LinkedIn, and interview prep. During the three years I’ve known her, I’ve admired her dedication to her students and her ability to make us feel comfortable being authentic at school and work.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? My advice to incoming business students is to get involved in anything that interests them. Business transcends all fields, so nothing is off the table. Some of the most rewarding groups, organizations, and events I have participated in have had nothing to do with my major. Having diverse experiences has helped me learn more about myself and what I want to do after graduation.
What has surprised you most about majoring in business? What surprised me most about majoring in business is that the key to success in business isn’t efficiency, intelligence, or ambition; the key to success is empathy. Intentionally trying to understand and address the feelings and experiences of real people is how great organizations and leaders find solutions, deliver quality service, and impact their teams, industries, and communities.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? One thing I’d do differently is enroll in more courses outside the business school and consider a history or political science double major or minor. This year and in my junior year, I consciously made space in my schedule for classes that interest me. I really enjoyed taking an African Literature class last semester and getting a break from financial theories and business models.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? One of my proudest moments was studying and working abroad for a semester in London, England, through the Smith Global Leadership Scholars Program. I was terrified but excited with this being my first international experience and being away from home for so long. Those few months abroad reshaped my worldview and made me more confident in my identity and talents.
Which classmate do you most admire? Amir Gray is a friend and colleague of mine whom I admire for his tenacity and character. Amir cares about our community and is one of the most impactful leaders on our campus while managing an insanely busy schedule. Amir is a member of the Haslam College of Business Diversity Board, organizes an on-campus bible study with Overcoming Believers Church, owns and operates his own clothing brand, Gray Area Studios, and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He is a senior majoring in supply chain management and is pursuing a career in philanthropy. I’m excited to see what he accomplishes in the future.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? It goes without saying that my parents, Renee and F. Kevin Malone, and my older sister, Dominique Malone, are to thank for my success throughout my life. I’d be remiss if I did not also thank Anthony Prewitt and Aaron Dixon for their unwavering support and mentorship during my years at UT. Aaron is the director of the UT Success Academy, and Anthony is the director of Multicultural Student Life at UT. Both have been invaluable role models for me and countless other Black men at the University of Tennessee.
What made Kevin such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?
“Kevin (KJ) Malone is not just an accomplished Finance Major and International Business student set to graduate this spring; he is an excellent example of leadership and community engagement. KJ has distinguished himself academically through his participation in two honors programs (Haslam Scholars and Greg and Lisa Smith Global Leadership Scholars honors programs). Both programs are highly selective, representing the top 1% of students in the University and the Haslam College of Business. His commitment to service is evident in his mentorship of other students and his active involvement in campus life through the UT Success Academy, Minority Enhancement for UT (ME4UT), and as a Business Communications Studio Peer Consultant.
KJ’s pursuit of excellence extends beyond academic endeavors. KJ has honed his professional skills by completing internships at Options Group in London and BMO Harris Private Bank in Chicago. For these reasons and many more, KJ is an excellent example of what Poets and Quants seek in their Best and Brightest.”
Jennifer Rittenhouse
Department of Management & Entrepreneurship
Assistant Professor of Practice
Director, Smith Global Leaders Scholars Honors Program
Director, Haslam College of Business Fellows Honors Program
“Kevin (KJ) Malone – Smith GLS Scholar, student leader that serves as a peer mentor for the University of TN Success Academy. KJ also represented the Haslam College of Business as part of the Key Bank Case Competition at the Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University.”
Clarence Vaughn
Director, Office of Access & Community Connections
“Kevin is academically strong as both a Haslam Scholar and GLS student as well as shows tremendous professional promise (he’s completed two internships including one in a very competitive industry/organization). He is a lead PCC in the Business Communication Studio as well as a Peer Coach for the UT Success Academy. He has also been involved with ME4UT and the OACC office. Kevin is incredibly thoughtful, humble, and kind.”
Jeannine Berge
Director, Professional & Career Development
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