A Father-Daughter Duo Finds Community at Goizueta

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At Goizueta Business School, the MBA journey looks different for every student, but for Madison Knowlton 28EvMBA and Keith Knowlton 26EMBA, it’s also a family affair. Madison, an Atlanta native early in her career, and her father, Keith, a retired military leader, are pursuing their graduate business degrees side-by-side in Goizueta’s working professional programs.

Despite entering business school from different generations, career stages, and perspectives, the two have found shared purpose and new challenges. Their experience highlights the power of lifelong learning, the strength of the Goizueta community, and the unexpected joy of navigating coursework, career shifts, and late-night study sessions with a family member who understands it all.

We sat down with Madison and Keith to talk about what inspired their MBA paths, how they support one another, and what it’s like balancing work, life, and school together.

Madison’s Journey as an Evening MBA Student

What inspired you to pursue your MBA at Goizueta?

My father would often come home and share stories from his time in business school. He made it sound both challenging and incredibly rewarding, highlighting the instant sense of community he found and how it broadened his perspective. I have always loved learning, and the idea of returning to school to expand my horizons was exciting to me. As an Atlanta native, I grew up hearing about Emory University, and I completed my undergraduate studies nearby at Georgia Tech. While my technical background has been a strong foundation for my career, I was drawn to Goizueta for its emphasis on networks, mentorship, and community. From the very first day, that promise has proven true, with classmates and alumni alike quick to offer guidance or a helping hand. Beyond the community, pursuing an MBA provides the opportunity to explore new career paths and gain exposure to fields I might not otherwise encounter, giving me both flexibility and choice in shaping my future. I feel fortunate to be part of the Goizueta community and to learn alongside such inspiring peers.

What has been the most rewarding part of the Evening MBA program so far?

The most rewarding part has been taking the first step and nearly making it through the semester! 

In all seriousness, it has been the community that formed almost immediately. From shared giggles in class to supporting each other on projects, it has been wonderful to navigate this new chapter alongside people who understand the challenge of balancing work, life, and school while keeping it enjoyable. Plus, everyone now knows to keep an eye out for my father in the break room, and it is fun to walk into the classroom to everyone saying, “We saw your dad!”

How do you balance early career demands with graduate school?

I have certainly given up my evenings! Balancing early career demands with graduate school requires intentional planning and a strong support system. I prioritize my time carefully, focusing on the most important work tasks and school assignments, while still carving out small moments for rest and connection with friends and family. The Evening MBA program is designed for working professionals, and having classmates who are navigating the same challenges makes the experience feel collaborative rather than overwhelming. A few laughs and jokes in class certainly go a long way, and I often remind myself that giving up a few evenings now is an investment in the future I am building

Keith’s Perspective: Returning to School as an Executive MBA Student

What drew you to Goizueta’s Executive MBA program after completing the Master in Business for Veterans program? 

As part of the first cohort of Goizueta’s Master in Business for Veterans program, my goal was to fill some gaps in my predominantly liberal arts-based education. I knew profits were good, and losses were bad, but with a spouse who has a Master of Taxation and more than 25 years of experience as a CPA at a Big Four firm, I found myself needing a bit more than a basic understanding to keep up in some of our conversations.

The Master in Business for Veterans program includes 24 credit hours of core business classes drawn from Goizueta’s MBA programs, which provided a strong, multi-discipline foundation in business education and opportunities for exposure to top-tier professors, guest speakers, and business leaders. It was the overview I needed to round out my military and private sector experience, but as the end of the program drew closer, I wanted a deeper dive into the areas of finance and real estate development. With the support of Goizueta faculty and administrators, I was able to defer graduation and transition to the Executive MBA program.

How has the Executive MBA program supported your leadership journey?

The Executive MBA program offers exceptional leadership development, and I appreciate the emphasis it places on shaping principled leaders of character. It is one of the standout strengths of the program.

I have been fortunate to experience many challenging and rewarding leadership roles, both in uniform and in civilian settings. That background has given me a strong foundation in leading teams through complex situations, and because of that, the Executive MBA represents a different kind of growth opportunity for me. The greatest value at this point in my journey lies in expanding my knowledge in specific business topics and learning from the experiences of others in the program. Although I still have one semester remaining, the coursework has already made a tangible impact in my life. I recently completed my first purchase of commercial real estate, and I drew directly on what I have learned in class to make that decision with confidence.

What’s it like returning to school at this stage in your career?

As I transition out of the traditional work force, returning to school is less about career advancement and more about self-improvement and fulfillment. Education, military service, and my professional career have always been a continuum of intersecting, complementary elements, so I can relate to my classmates who are balancing the MBA program with different seasons of life. I entered my first master’s degree program straight out of undergraduate when things were a bit less busy, and then my second master’s program with three school-aged children at home and responsibility for an organization of more than 3,200 people. The Executive MBA program is challenging, but at this stage I have fewer responsibilities, so time management is easier.

A meaningful part of my participation in the program is modeling a tenet I have always believed: the pursuit of education does not have an end date. As my children step into their own careers, I can show them the value of staying curious and continuing their personal development. For me, the degree is not a checkmark in a box. It is about embracing the opportunity to keep learning and staying engaged in a way that enriches both my life and theirs.

Learning Together

Do you ever talk about classwork at home?

Madison: Absolutely. We often talk about classwork at home, mostly to make sense of concepts or compare how different professors approach the material, and it is interesting to see how the focus shifts depending on where you are in your career.

Keith: Yes, we’ve always encouraged critical thinking, lively debate, and plenty of humor in our conversations at home. The classroom experience provides great material for all three of these.

What’s something you admire about each other as students?

Madison: I admire his fearlessness in asking questions and his dedication to truly understanding the concepts at hand. It is inspiring to see someone approach learning with such curiosity and commitment, and it motivates me to do the same.

Keith: I admire her enthusiasm for learning and for a life well-lived. She is quick to seize opportunities for the next great adventure, yet she balances that with real self-discipline. She also embodies one of our family’s guiding mantras: Don’t focus on being the best one on the team, focus on being the best one for the team. It’s a characteristic of hers that I admire, and one that will serve her well in the MBA program.

Who’s more competitive about grades?

Madison: Definitely me. I grew up competing against two siblings—one recently graduating at the top of his class at West Point and the other completing her Ph.D. at Stanford—so I am no stranger to friendly family rivalry. Ever the middle child, I am always trying to keep up with my siblings, and now I find myself having to compete with my dad as well. He may have a head start, but I think he will be sweating when these first grades come out!

Keith: No, I am more competitive, but my challenge is that “the student has become the master.” My competition with Madison – at least in regards to math – ended when she began Algebra II, because I never made it farther than Algebra…twice!

Madison and Keith’s experience shows that there’s no single path to an MBA, and that learning has no age limit. Whether launching a career or stepping into a new chapter, both are finding community, purpose, and pride in pursuing their degrees side by side. Their shared journey is a reminder of the power of family, curiosity, and lifelong growth.

Interested in exploring MBA opportunities? Learn more about Goizueta’s Evening MBA and Executive MBA programs.

Read in: 日本語