Angela Zuniga-Taylor: Redefining Leadership at TCU Neeley

The TCU Neeley School of Business in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, offers an MBA program tailored to prepare leaders for a dynamic, fast-changing business world. 

Angela Zuniga-Taylor, a Mexican-American and second-year MBA student, found the perfect environment to grow as a leader while pursuing her career aspirations. Angela’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of a TCU Neeley MBA, from leadership roles in campus organizations to real-world projects with companies like AT&T and Alcon Surgical.

Why TCU Neeley Stands Out

Angela was initially drawn to TCU Neeley’s unique connection with the Fort Worth community, which perfectly blends city vibrancy and a close-knit campus feel. “I really loved how TCU lived and breathed with its community…Fort Worth has its own identity and TCU has its own identity, and they come together to form this really great synergy in the community. I really appreciated that, and I really appreciated the staff. I also noticed that the alumni and those who worked for TCU just loved TCU,” she explains. (03:39)

Another key factor was the school’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and passionate alumni network. Angela recalls her first encounter with TCU staff during a Leadership Fort Worth event, where recruiter David Stein left a lasting impression. “I just really loved his energy,” she says. (03:24)

A Supportive and Diverse Community

One of the highlights of Angela’s MBA journey has been the diversity and camaraderie within her cohort. “I also noticed the diversity within our cohort: of ethnicity, of gender, as well as background; we had educators, those who were in nonprofit and the public sector, finance, there are all of these different perspectives,” Angela shares. (14:47)

Angela credits this diversity with enriching classroom discussions and group projects. It allowed for greater peer learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. The small class sizes and close connections with faculty further enhance the supportive atmosphere at TCU Neeley.

Embracing Leadership Opportunities

Before starting her MBA, Angela built an impressive career in nonprofit management. However, she realized the need for a formal business education to advance her leadership skills further. “I wanted to be a leader […] in my organization,” Angela shares. (17:22) 

Through TCU Neeley, Angela discovered a new leadership mindset. She credits the program with transforming her approach to teamwork and collaboration, thanks to the diversity in the classroom and cohort. “There are all these different perspectives… so I really appreciated that diversity… I really enjoyed that aspect of my cohort as a whole,” she explains. (15:07) 

She also notes that her time at TCU helped her develop a new approach towards leadership, shifting towards a service leader mindset. Rather than using a traditional top-down approach in her leadership, she aims to help each member of her team shine, giving them agency over their own work and helping them to become better leaders as well.

“I truly have changed more into a service leader mindset and making sure that I am there as a guide, a helper, rather than a teller or a doer.” (07:25)

Her active participation in campus organizations like Graduate Women in Business and Neeley & Associates Consulting allowed Angela to refine her leadership skills further. “I really loved Graduate Women in Business my first year. I love that it was a mixture of both very professional meetings or conversations but also some fun where you can be have community with other women in business,” she recalls. (05:05)

The MBA program and the extracurriculars at TCU Neeley offered ample opportunities for Angela to refine her leadership skills in and out of the classroom. These experiences provided valuable hands-on opportunities to use her new skills.

Real-World Learning Through Internships and Projects

Angela’s TCU Neeley experience is defined by hands-on learning opportunities bridging the theory and practice gap. Through Neeley & Associates Consulting, she had the chance to work on a sustainability scorecard project for Alcon Surgical for their custom packs. Angela reflects, “That was a really big learning experience. You might not be the expert, but you’re going to be, so you need to do all of your research and be very in tune with what’s going on in that subject as you grow. And I also learned how to listen to what my client wanted.” (12:32) 

While the experience pushed her out of her comfort zone, it was an excellent hands-on learning experience. Angela learned the importance of asking the right questions, listening to your client, teamwork, and humility to deliver outstanding results.

Angela also had the opportunity to complete an internship. She knew that she wanted to work at AT&T and, through the MBA program, had the chance to complete an internship with them. Angela joined the procurement team as a sourcing intern, gaining firsthand experience in contract management and supply chain operations. She was able to apply her new skills and knowledge from the MBA directly to her internship. (09:21)

These experiences enhanced Angela’s technical skills and deepened her passion for supply chain management, which she also had experience with from her undergrad and work at Girl Scouts of the USA. She says, “I fell in love with supply chain in that way… I loved it, I loved our professors, I loved the aspect of supply chain, I knew this was the route that I wanted to take, and that just got reaffirmed again in my internship.” (16:11)

The MBA program at TCU Neeley has reaffirmed and expanded Angela’s interest in supply chain management. She had further opportunities to showcase her leadership skills and engage with supply chain management, which bolstered her confidence and reassured her that she was on the right track toward her career goals.

Shaping Future Aspirations

Angela’s time at TCU Neeley has profoundly shaped her career goals. Reflecting on her journey, Angela is confident that her MBA has set her up for long-term success. 

Her participation in programs like Neeley & Associates Consulting and her internship at AT&T provided Angela with a unique blend of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application. 

Through these experiences, she developed skills in data analysis, procurement strategies, and sustainability initiatives. Angela is now driven to pursue leadership roles that optimize supply chain operations while contributing to broader organizational goals and corporate social responsibility.

Why Choose TCU Neeley?

Angela’s story highlights the many reasons prospective students should consider TCU Neeley for their MBA. The program offers a unique combination of academic rigor, real-world experiences, and a supportive community that fosters personal and professional growth. 

TCU Neeley’s emphasis on leadership development, diversity, and experiential learning prepares students for global business challenges. The school’s strong industry connections, dedicated faculty, and comprehensive career services provide invaluable resources for career advancement. 

As Angela puts it, “I felt like it was a perfect mix of all the things that I wanted to get out of going to get my MBA.” (15:59)

Discover more about TCU Neeley School of Business through its profile page, and contact one of our student ambassadors to learn more about their first-hand experience at TCU.