Ayman Elhassan
University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
“A shower thoughts enthusiast with altruistic tendencies and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex.”
Fun fact about yourself: I won the first-ever game of Fortnite that I ever played
Hometown: Woodbury, MN
High School: Math & Science Academy
Major: Management Information Systems
Minor: Marketing
Favorite Business Course:
BA2062: Impact Lab Problem Solving – I used to be the person who jumped straight into “fix-it” mode without a second thought, but this class completely broke that habit. It was my first real introduction to the way a consultant actually thinks. The course dismantled my reactive mindset and rebuilt it into a structured framework that has since changed how I approach every solution. For the final project, we got to create an activity to teach this same thought process to middle schoolers, which brought me back to the word “impact.” It was a refreshing way to end the semester, sharing a mindset with younger students that I really wish I’d been exposed to earlier. I still use these lessons every day, making sure to pause and filter out the noise to figure out exactly what problem we are trying to solve.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
National Association of Black Accountants – President, Vice President, Secretary of Corporate Relations
Carlson Business Career Center – Peer Career Coach
Carlson School of Management – Outreach Ambassador
Emerging Leader of Color – Mentor
Housing & Residential Life – Community Advisor
Black Student Union – Advisor, Community Engagement Officer
Sudanese Student Union – Board Member
Huntley House – Peer Mentor
Tom Burnett Leadership Program – Participant
Where have you interned during your college career?
EY – Technology Consulting Launch Intern (Summer ‘24)
Mighty Doodle – Market Strategy Intern (Fall ‘24)
Kearney – Summer Business Analyst (Summer ‘25)
Where will you be working after graduation? Capital One – Analyst Development Program
Who is your favorite business professor? Amee McDonald – I remember my first conversation with Amee like it was yesterday. Confiding in her that after my first semester, I wanted to push myself to grow past my comfort zone was something she took to heart. Through her undying passion and care for her students’ success, it was the first course where I felt my opinions were heard and my values respected. Amee’s support changed my life. I will remember the kindness she displayed to her students and have taken it upon myself to incorporate that exemplary display of kindness in my everyday life.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Remember to chart your own path. Many business schools are set up like swim lanes. You pick “finance” or “marketing,” and the expectation is for you to swim to the other side in a nice straight line like everyone else and come out as an “Investment Banker” or a “Digital Marketer.” Rather than swimming straight as quickly as possible and only giving consideration to the speed at which you do it, allow yourself the opportunity to explore and consider other sides of the pool. Choose “Open Swim” instead.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Although I was able to expose myself to a variety of opportunities in undergrad, I wish I had talked about my interests earlier and more often than I had. It took some time for me to realize, but if you take a second to look around, there are so many people and possibilities that could propel you in the right direction. The only thing barring you from those opportunities is a lack of awareness. If I could do it over again, I would talk more about my entrepreneurial aspirations or my interest in design, as it may have exposed me to different clubs, competitions, programs, or conferences that may have completely shifted my perspective. You never know who might be listening, so relentlessly speak to what you’re passionate about.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? Starting my college career just as ChatGPT launched, I got to see the massive shift in the academic landscape firsthand. Carlson’s commitment to uplifting AI’s practical usage has been a spectacle. From a departmental perspective, I’ve watched how AI has been leveraged to make learning more conducive to the modern student. In my role as a TA for a course called Design Your Career, I now help students navigate this “new normal.” By using AI to overcome traditional hurdles like resume writing, students and professors alike are able to focus more on high-level strategy and career alignment. I believe the future of any industry lies in its ability to adapt, and I am excited to see how this plays out in my professional career.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? My proudest achievement is playing a role in the transformation of our NABA Chapter from a small, major-specific club into a thriving, diverse community. By expanding our reach beyond just accounting and finance, we successfully scaled our impact across the entire student body. Our efforts were recognized with three major honors: Business School Club of the Year, a Tony Diggs Excellence Award, and the NABA Central Region Chapter of the Year. I am incredibly proud to leave behind a legacy of growth and a community that is now more inclusive than ever. #TREBLE
Which classmate do you most admire? Oscar Lopez-Perez. I’ve known Oscar since my freshman year and have always admired his work ethic, curiosity, and (most of all) his passion for creating and cultivating community. He often spoke about wanting to create a space for others that he didn’t have our freshman year. And living with him our sophomore year, I got to see him do it step by step. Starting an ALPFA chapter at our school took a lot of courage, but truthfully, there was no one else better for the job. Oscar takes so much pride in his consideration of others, and it’s evident in the culture that he has developed with ALPFA over the past 3 years. Now, having passed the torch to his underclassmen, getting to see his vision and passion carried forth by a new generation of leaders has been nothing short of incredible. Ozzy, I’m so proud of the leader you’ve been, the leader you are, and the leader you’ll continue to be in the future.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? It may sound a little unconventional, but I most want to thank my younger sister, Ekseer, for my success. I can recall all I wanted to do after she was born was teach her all the new things I was learning myself: tying my shoes, crawling, or how to read. I have framed much of my identity around being an older brother. It’s the reason why I take so much pride in mentoring others. The same way I strive to chart a path for my younger sister is the same way I want to chart a path for others in my community. My success is tethered to the success of my community, and the person who sits at the heart of my community is my little sister. Love you, Mosquito!
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
- Start a Company/develop a product with my friends in our 20s
- Work internationally; ideally somewhere in Africa
What made Ayman such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“Since stepping on campus, Ayman has been the model of what we would hope for from a student at Minnesota Carlson. Through his time with us, Ayman has served his community and peers with passion, work ethic, and excellence. Ayman has held many roles on campus where he has been able to demonstrate his quality. As the president for the Carlson chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, Ayman led his fellow classmates through career growth, networking, and community building. As a Peer Career Coach, he gave his time to help students meet their goals with his considerable expertise. As an Outreach Ambassador, Ayman has been a part of the introduction of Minnesota Carlson to numerous middle and high school students. Lastly, Ayman also served as an ELOC Mentor where he guided local high schoolers through not only the ins and outs of the various aspects of business, but also helped them navigate the college selection process. Many of the same high schoolers have elected to attend Carlson themselves, an indicator of the community and support he helped create.
I have been privileged to supervise Ayman for his Outreach and ELOC roles and have seen firsthand the dedication and skill he brings to the table. However, what most impresses me is the care and intentionality he has for others. Ayman is always willing to go the extra mile for those who are lucky enough to be working with him. Ayman is a wonderful example of a Carlson student who is ready to lead with his values to make his community a better place. I look forward to seeing what he can accomplish in the future.”
Jeffery Williams
Coordinator for Pathway Initiatives and Community Partnerships
DON’T MISS: 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2026
© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.
