The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management prides itself on being made up of a diverse range of professionals from across the graduate business education and corporate landscapes. Our Board of Trustees is no exception, with representatives from each of our 20 member schools as well as alumni and leaders from some of our corporate partner companies.

Through this monthly series, we encourage you to go behind the scenes with us to get to know members of our Board of Trustees, beyond just their professional titles, as they respond to a series of fun, thought-provoking questions. 

Kellee Scott, Director, MBA.PM Admissions, University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

What is your favorite quote, and why?

Growing up, my grandmother always said, “It’s nice to be nice. You never know what others are going through.” I try to be mindful of her words daily. While I may not be perfect in this (we all have our days!), a kind word or gesture can uplift someone’s day and be a mutual blessing. 

After recent worldwide events, we need “niceness” more than ever. Compliment a stranger. Offer assistance to someone in need. Straighten your car in a crowded parking lot space (I know, right?!). Opportunities abound both big and small, and they are endless. Although my day brightens when I receive a smile or a heartfelt “thank you,” it’s not about the acknowledgement. It’s about doing what you can to reduce the stress and share the care in an increasingly complicated world. 

What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

Backpacking the east coast of Australia with a classmate for almost a month after finishing my MBA at USC Marshall. We had a plane ticket to Sydney, a return ticket out of Cairns and no travel plans in between, except a hotel reservation at a nice property in Cairns as a reward at the end. Along the way, we stayed in hostels (never again for me, if I can help it), saw wildlife (kangaroos, koalas, exotic birds, etc.) outside the window of the McCafferty bus as we traveled between cities, cuddled a koala at the zoo and saw the most unique and amazing marine life in the Great Barrier Reef. Experiencing the beaches along the Gold Coast was awesome, too! We met some of the warmest and nicest people along the way — although no one successfully convinced me to try some of the exotic meats. Overall, it was an experience I’ll never forget.

What is the best movie of all time?

This is hard because there are so many great movies, so I’ll give you my favorite genre: any classic movie (usually in black and white) where the dialogue is full of sharp wit and the life lessons are timeless. Double Indemnity, All About Eve, Auntie Mame and everything Hitchcock comes to mind — and who can forget The Shawshank Redemption? It was the very first DVD I ever bought.

Stephen Sweeney, Director, Full-Time MBA Recruiting and Admissions, The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business

What is your favorite thing about the work that you do?

My favorite thing about my job is interacting with such interesting and amazing applicants. I love hearing about their background and passion for continuing their education with an MBA. I get to speak with people from around the world, so it is always awesome to learn about new cultures and business opportunities.

 What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

Canyoning in Switzerland. This was in my younger days. It was awesome to be outdoors, jumping, sliding and repelling through mountain gorges. 

What is the best movie of all time, and why?

The Fast and Furious franchise. The first one came out 20 years ago, and they are all action-packed and fun to watch. I’m excited for the next two to be released.

Rebekah S. Lewin, Assistant Dean, Admissions and Financial Aid, University of Rochester, Simon Business School

If you didn’t have to work, how would you spend your time? 

I have a very hard time sitting still! I would probably spend my time traveling; although I have visited many places, there is still a long list of cities and countries I would like to visit. Just as importantly, engaging in meaningful volunteer or pro-bono consulting work and enjoying family and friends would be high priorities for filling my days. 

What item in your office could you not live/work without?

Those who work with me will attest to the fact that my coffee cup is something that I cannot live or work without! I am usually a frequent visitor to the Starbucks on campus; however, now that I am mostly “working from home,” my coffee maker has been getting a lot of use.

What is your favorite thing about the work that you do?

There are many things that I love about the work that I do. My team is at the top of the list — a talented, dedicated and hardworking group of staff who are deeply committed to our work and our students. In addition, the variety of the work keeps it interesting, and the ability to stay connected with students and alumni throughout their professional and personal journeys is also very fulfilling.