Biography
For Victoria Aguilar, pursuing a Master in Management at Emory was about gaining the tools to intentionally shape her career and amplify her impact. With a background in psychology and early experiences across higher education, admissions, and social impact work, she found herself drawn to the questions of how resources are allocated, who has access to opportunity, and how institutions can be designed to better serve people. “It was really important to me to find a way to maximize my impact, and I thought insight into the business world would allow for that,” she explains.
Business school, she believed, would equip her with the tools to understand and influence how organizations, resources, and systems operate. “Knowing the reputation of Goizueta, having had encounters with a few of the faculty, staff, and students, I knew it would uphold all the things it was offering, both during and after graduation,” she says.
Coming from a liberal arts background, Victoria had adjustments to make in business school. “It’s energy-consuming work, like exercising a completely new part of my brain. Very challenging, but very fun.”
A deep sense of curiosity has always defined Victoria, shaped by the moments when she was told that things are simply “the way they are.” This mindset fueled her passion for critical thinking and questioning the status quo, an approach she now brings into the classroom. “I approach information critically, never taking it at face value, but instead analyzing it to uncover the most accurate and authentic answer. I believe it’s essential to question the world to discover where you truly fit.” Her identity as a first-generation, low-income, Mexican American daughter of immigrants also gives her a unique perspective on leadership and inclusivity. “The values that my identities gift me, along with my inquisitiveness, bring a very unique voice into the classroom.”
One of the biggest surprises at Goizueta? The professors. “They are truly dedicated to the students’ learning,” she says. “They value what they teach and want students not just to get the As, but to actually know how to apply what they learned. They love to see their students succeed and make themselves very available for us.”
Looking ahead, Victoria is passionate about a career at the intersection of education, philanthropy, and community engagement, with a focus on expanding access and making systems more equitable.
For Victoria, Goizueta isn’t just preparing her for a job—it’s helping her better understand how systems work and how they can be reshaped. With her curiosity, critical lens, and commitment to social impact, she is focused on building pathways that allow people and communities to thrive.