As the offspring of a Boy Scouts Scoutmaster, M.J. Brown found himself in leadership roles from an early age.
“By the time I reached high school, I had become a patrol leader for a group of 10-12 youngsters,” stated Brown, who ultimately attained the Eagle Scout rank. “I gained significant insights into servant leadership through Boy Scouts. As a servant leader, the needs of those you serve come first; you hold responsibility for them and must consider their thoughts and perspectives when making choices.”
During the past four years at WashU, Brown has had the chance to enhance those leadership abilities. His initial attraction to the university stemmed from its business program and the John B. Ervin Scholars initiative — which offered a community of peers dedicated to leadership, community engagement, diversity, and academic achievement — but that was merely the beginning.
Through a range of clubs and collaborative projects, Brown embraced leadership positions, honed his delegating skills, expanded his network, clarified his values and goals, and contributed back by mentoring high school students as part of the Olin Fleischer Program.
This May, Brown is poised to graduate with a double major in economics and strategy at Olin Business School, alongside a degree in Spanish through Arts & Sciences, as well as a minor in international business. Below, he shares his reflections on his journey at WashU and how these experiences have equipped him for the future.
Which WashU experiences had the most profound effect on you?
I’ve encountered numerous impactful opportunities at WashU. For example, I participated in a business course through the Center for Experiential Learning, where we spent a week in Barcelona at the start of the semester and then continued consulting for a local startup in the city throughout the term. This was a remarkable experience, not just because of the travel, but also due to the diversity of the group I had the chance to lead.
Another notable experience was my participation in the professional fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. DSP was essential in enhancing my professionalism and connecting with upperclassmen. Upon entering WashU, I was certain that I wanted to pursue business, but I was uncertain regarding my major and class choices. The stories of the upperclassmen inspired me, motivating me to chase my dreams, even when they appeared out of reach, and clarified the steps I needed to take to achieve them.
I’m also very proud of my contributions as the vice president of diversity and inclusion for DSP. We created 10 internal affinity groups, which opened up avenues for cultural exchange. This initiative has not only made the organization more equitable but has also aided in recruitment efforts.
Who motivates you?
The first individual that comes to mind is my father. He has embedded so many core values in me that define who I am. My dad exemplifies what it means to embody servant leadership while adhering to one’s principles and enjoying the role of a leader. I feel that’s important and often overlooked. I always remember that one cannot be solely weighed down by responsibilities.
At WashU, I was inspired by Aisha Ali (BSBA ’24) and Raevyn Ferguson (AB ’23) for their determination to pursue their goals and their success in whatever they commit to. I gained a lot of knowledge from them.
What lies ahead?
Following graduation, I will be joining Google as an associate product marketing manager in San Francisco. I interned at Google last summer and had an excellent experience. Coming from Nashville and studying in St. Louis made me a bit hesitant about relocating across the country — it’s quite a leap! However, I’m eager to explore the city and learn from my new colleagues.
The article Class Acts: M.J. Brown originally appeared on The Source.