Mia McGraw
University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
“Short in height (5’0”), but big on talking, impact, and passion.”
Fun fact about yourself: I am diagnosed with cold urticaria, an allergy to the cold, so I cannot leave anywhere without my EpiPen in the winter!
Hometown: Cottage Grove, MN
High School: Park High School
Major: Human Resources and Industrial Relations
Minor: Managing People in Organizations
Favorite Business Course: My favorite business course is IBUS 3033W: Business Communication in a Global Context. I completed my study abroad requirement through a two-week study abroad experience in Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo, Japan in May. While we were abroad, we had the opportunity to plan parts of our own experience and also found out what business looks like in different countries. Some highlights were that we met Carlson alumni in Tokyo, interacted with students from Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, and connected with business professionals in both countries. We presented our final project on our last day in Tokyo, where my team updated our case on an American beauty company entering the Korean market. After visiting Olive Young in Seoul, we were able to revise our case deck as a team based on our first-hand experience.
This class and experience were deeply personal and will be something I never forget. It was my first time returning to South Korea since being adopted from the country to the USA at seven months old. The trip was incredibly meaningful to me as a Korean adoptee, and I cannot wait to go back.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
Student Body President – Carlson Business Board – Undergraduate Student Government (2025–2026)
Carlson Ambassador Co-Lead (2025–2026)
Carlson Crew TA (2023–2026)
Vice President of Operations – Carlson Business Board – Undergraduate Student Government (2023–2025)
Carlson Ambassador (2024–2025)
Business Scenarios in Excel TA (2024–2025)
Leading Self & Teams TA (2023–2025)
Representative to the Student Senate Consultative Committee – Undergraduate Student Government, Student Senate, University Senate (2024)
Carlson Student Senator – Carlson Business Board – Undergraduate Student Government, Undergraduate Student Government, Student Senate, University Senate (2022–2023)
Campbell Centennial Scholar
Where have you interned during your college career?
Procter & Gamble – Baby Care HR Intern, Cape Girardeau, MO (2025)
Holmes Murphy & Associates – Employee Benefits Intern, Minneapolis, MN (2025)
Where will you be working after graduation? I am currently participating in Carlson’s HRIR Integrated Degree Program, where I am a full-time undergraduate HRIR student and a first-year master’s student. After earning my BSB this spring, I will return to Procter & Gamble as an HR intern before coming back to the Carlson School of Management in the fall to complete my master’s degree by December 2026.
Who is your favorite business professor? If I had to choose one favorite business professor from my college career, it would be Chris Winchester. Chris was my instructor during the first semester of my freshman year in Leading Self & Teams (BA 1011), and his impact has stayed with me ever since. He raised the bar for what I expected from a professor and consistently held us to high standards that pushed us to be our best. We were genuinely excited to come to class every day, and the experience of taking his course is something I will never forget.
Beyond the classroom, Chris has been an incredible mentor. He encouraged me to pursue a path that felt true to me. Without his guidance, I am not sure I would have realized as quickly that HR was the right career path for me. Through Chris, I discovered that I could combine my passions for DEI and creating impact through HR. I am extremely grateful to have had Chris as both an instructor and mentor so early in my college career. I will always value our relationship and strive to make others feel even a fraction of the support and importance that he made me feel.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I have gained from studying business is how broad and versatile it is. Coming into business school, my perspective of what business was – and what it meant to be a business student – was very narrow. However, from my time at Carlson, I have learned that there is truly a path for everyone within business, as aspects of business exist in almost everything. This perspective has helped me understand my own interests and strengths and has reinforced that business is for everyone. Business offers an immense number of opportunities to create impact in ways that align with who you are, your passions, and what you care about. Do not be afraid to be authentic in whatever you do.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the importance of being intentional when building relationships with other students, faculty, staff, and business professionals. Taking the time to genuinely learn who someone is beyond their role and understand their interests can lead to some of the best relationships. I have found that intentional relationships open doors to opportunities that help you grow as both a student and an individual. Once you find your footing in your own journey, make an effort to give back by sharing resources, offering guidance, and helping others find their path. I have learned that something that may seem simple to you can be extremely meaningful to someone just beginning their journey in business.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? Carlson has integrated AI through incorporating it into coursework for idea generation and teaching students how to write effective prompts to get high-quality responses. We have been learning it as a tool to use responsibly and strategically. As an HRIR major, I have used AI in classes to prepare us for our future careers by understanding that it will be a resource, while also understanding how important humanization and our value add is to it. One insight I have gained from AI is that it is not perfect by any means. It is necessary to fact-check the responses given without believing them to be completely true.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of becoming a Carlson Student Senator during the start of my freshman year. Without applying for this position, I would not be where I am today with my involvement in Carlson. This single position allowed me to be in Carlson Business Board, the University of Minnesota’s Undergraduate Student Government, Student Senate, and University Senate. It was a crazy time for me in my first semester, but it forced me to experience all the different sides of leadership. More importantly, it helped me figure out what I wanted to prioritize in my schedule for future years!
Which classmate do you most admire? The one classmate I admire the most is Greta Shortreed. Although she is a year younger than me and we have never technically taken a class together, I have so much admiration for Greta. I was Greta’s Carlson Crew TA her first semester of college alongside 15 other students who I am extremely grateful for. From the moment I met Greta, it was clear that she has deep care for others, puts her energy and all into everything she is involved in, and lights up the room by being herself. It is rare to find an individual who shows up and shows out every single time you interact with them, but Greta does that and more. I admire her intentionality, passion to give back to others, and confidence. Whether it be the only one wearing a wig on our Halloween campus tours or working on an initiative for Carlson Business Board, Greta is someone who I inspire to be. I am so grateful to have gotten to know someone as authentic, goofy, funny, charismatic, and passionate as Greta.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my parents for all of my successes. They have always given me the love and support I need in everything I do. As I have grown older, I have realized how much they have empowered me by giving me opportunities and independence in exploring what I want to do and to pursue goals that matter to me. I do not think any of us expected how often I would still call them to talk about random updates, ask questions I probably should know the answers to, or talk about nothing. These phone calls have been some of my fondest memories because we are spending time together. Without their constant support, I would not feel confident to take risks or take opportunities that seem infeasible. They have always pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I am incredibly grateful to have parents like them. Thank you for always listening, supporting, offering advice, and letting me vent when I need it.
Thank you, Mom & Dad!
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1. Create a workplace environment where people feel valued, included, and excited to be a part of the community.
2. Have a scholarship funded by me for students to be able to accomplish their dreams.
What made Mia such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“Mia McGraw is an outstanding student leader who wholeheartedly represents the best of the Carlson School of Management and the University of Minnesota. She is not only a talented HRIR student with a contagious passion for Human Resources, but also a driven leader dedicated to supporting her peers. From helping prospective students envision themselves at Minnesota Carlson, to welcoming new students as a Carlson Crew Leader, to supporting students academically as a TA for multiple classes, and to advocating for the collective student voice as Business Board President, Mia’s dedication to setting others up for success is evident in everything she does. She is always willing to share her story and experiences with others and help them find their place on campus.
One of the first things that stood out to me when I met Mia was her unwavering commitment to ‘leaving the place better than she found it.’ Her work in student government has broken down silos and helped form natural and beneficial pathways for connections between faculty, students, and staff. For example, Mia served as a liaison between students and administration during a major building construction project, ensuring students were informed about the project while simultaneously advocating for their accessibility and learning needs. As a result of her advocacy work in all settings, students across the school are more aware of the resources and opportunities available to them from day one. Mia is a role model who consistently elevates those around her. Her blend of academic excellence, advocacy, and genuine care for her community makes her a standout choice for this honor.”
Sarah Wojnicki Smith
Leadership Lab Program Director
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