Student Spotlight: William Kerscher 25MiM
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In our student spotlight series, we’re featuring students across Goizueta’s programs to share their unique paths and aspirations. Meet William Kerscher 25MiM, a student-athlete with a passion for both medicine and business.
Tell us a bit about your background. You’ve been involved in both athletics and academics, from competing on the men’s swim and dive team to majoring in Psychology with a minor in religion. What led you to pursue a Master in Management at Goizueta?
When I arrived at Emory University to begin my undergraduate studies I was confident that I would end up studying at Goizueta Business School. While I had always taken an interest in medicine, I had also taken a strong interest in finance and Emory felt like the perfect place to start my studies in the field. However, with the end of my senior year of high school came the COVID-19 pandemic which fundamentally changed my freshman year of college. The pandemic allowed me to explore courses outside my planned field, ultimately inspiring me to minor in religion. In my second semester at Emory, and first on campus, a few of my teammates on the swim and dive team and I decided to take a special topics class in the psychology department titled “perinatal brain development.” Little did I know, the decision to take this class would change my entire academic future. My passion for medicine was ignited and I decided that I would fulfil my childhood dream of becoming a physician. After three years of challenging pre-medical and neuroscience classes my interest in business never faded. Living with three finance majors deepened my interest in the field, inspiring self-study alongside my pre-med journey. They inspired me to continue teaching myself about finance and investment in my free time while I set myself up for a successful medical school application cycle. When I decided to take a gap year before medical school I made choice to pursue a master’s degree.
Emory has been my home away from home for the past four years. I think so highly of this school, the professors who teach here, and the students who learn here. I knew that I wanted to complete my master’s degree here if I had the opportunity. Thankfully, this was around the same time the Master in Management program (MiM) was launched, and the minute I read the description of the program, I knew it was the one for me. This program has given me the opportunity to finally study at Goizueta, to study another academic field I am genuinely passionate about, and to make the most of my time before medical school. I am a strong believer that the best way to improve the healthcare field is through better business practice. I hope to use my Emory education to be a pioneer for good in the healthcare field, both as a world-class physician and as an innovative businessman. This program allows me to merge my passions for healthcare and business, preparing me to innovate as both a physician and a leader in the healthcare industry.
You’re currently the class president of the MiM program. What do you enjoy most about this role, and how has it shaped your experience at Goizueta so far?
Being elected president of the MiM program has been a privilege, and I have truly enjoyed the experience. As an undergraduate student at Emory, I was president of the Emory Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). In this role, I had the chance to advocate for my fellow student-athletes and to make lasting positive changes in their Emory experience. The most fulfilling aspect of this role was hearing how the changes we helped put in motion were improving the lives of student-athletes. I took so many good things away from that role, but most of all, I took away the inspiration to continue helping others through the leadership roles I had the opportunity to take on. This is exactly why I ran for president of the MiM program. With the MiM being in its first year, our executive committee has the unique opportunity to set the foundation for our program, and I feel so lucky to lead that amazing group. I have most enjoyed implementing feedback from classmates to shape a program with lasting impact. Leading our class in this inaugural year has prepared me to approach future leadership roles with adaptability and a focus on collaboration.
In addition to your role at Goizueta, you’re involved with Swim Across America and recently received a national service award. Can you share more about your work with this organization and what this award means to you?
Swim Across America is a nonprofit close to my heart, and I feel lucky to have been involved for many years and to now sit on the associate board. I first joined SAA in high school and was drawn to the mission of the organization. At Emory, I took on leadership roles to expand our impact, resulting in my team winning the first ever SAA College Cup. The College-Cup is a year-long, nationwide, fundraising competition between every NCAA swimming and diving team. In this role, I led our team to raise a record-breaking $77,000 for cancer research happening on Emory’s campus, and I am proud to say that under my leadership we have raised well over $100,000 as a team. I was honored to receive a national service award for my efforts in this position last summer. To me, this award stands for all the people that we swam for and fundraised for, as well as for every person on my team. It truly takes every person’s collective effort to achieve something this impactful. This award means so much to me because each one of my teammates, as well as myself, has someone to swim for and to motivate them to complete this swim. This award honors not just my efforts, but the collective dedication of my team to fundraising and swimming for a cause that touches us all.
With a passion for healthcare and a pre-med background, how has your time at Goizueta influenced your perspective on the intersection of medicine and business?
My time at Goizueta has profoundly shaped how I view the intersection of medicine and business. Goizueta has helped broaden my view of the healthcare system and given me a new perspective on the role and responsibility of professionals in the field. Business professionals in healthcare play a vital role in shaping systems that directly impact patient care. Business drives healthcare innovation and holds the potential to ensure equity in patient care. My time at Goizueta has given me a unique perspective on the good the business can accomplish, and I believe that responsible and thoughtful business practice holds the answer to better healthcare. I am proud to be part of a program that is preparing future leaders to bring thoughtful business practices to healthcare. I aim to leverage this dual perspective to lead transformative change in the healthcare industry.
Why did you choose Goizueta Business School, and what aspects of the MiM program have been most impactful for you?
I chose Goizueta Business School because I believe that Emory is at the forefront of higher education. My experience at this school has been nothing short of incredible, and so, when I was considering where I would like to end up after graduation, my immediate hope was to stay at Emory. The MiM program has equipped me with practical skills in fields like finance and communications that I will carry into my career. The most impactful aspect of the MiM program so far has been our professor’s ability to articulate high-level business lectures in a way that each student understands despite our diverse and non-business backgrounds. This is something I noticed on the first day of classes and has been so impactful in helping me learn. This program has solidified my belief in the power of education to bridge diverse fields like business and medicine.
Outside of academics, you’re a big sports fan, particularly of hockey and football. Do you find that the lessons you learned as a competitive swimmer carry over into your studies and future goals?
I have always felt that the most beneficial aspects of swimming are those that apply to my life outside the pool. Beyond gaining lifelong friends and the opportunity to attend one of the top universities in the world, swimming has provided me with invaluable life skills. Swimming taught me discipline, time management, and teamwork through years of rigorous training. While in the moment it was sometimes hard to see how I was truly benefitting from all of that, I can see looking back how much it has positively impacted my life. The most important skill being an athlete has taught me is the ability to work with and lead a diverse team toward a common goal. This skill is essential to being successful in sports and it is also essential to success in the world. Every day, in group projects, while volunteering, and working with non-profits, I use that skill. In the future, as a physician, the skills that I have fostered through years in sports, and developed in a professional setting at Goizueta, will help me lead teams and be a positive influence in the healthcare field.
What advice would you give to other pre-med or healthcare-focused students considering a business degree to complement their studies?
I would absolutely recommend any healthcare-focused student pursue some form of business education. Not only is learning about business interesting, but it is also vital for doctors to understand the system they work within. For example, understanding financial models has given me insights into cost-effective patient care strategies. This is especially important as we consider the large- and small-scale issues in the healthcare industry as many of them arise from the conflict of business with the providing of equitable care. Finding solutions to these issues, in my opinion, requires doctors who fundamentally understand both sides of the industry. Business education offers tools that are essential for navigating and improving complex healthcare systems.
You have a diverse range of interests and commitments, from sports to healthcare and nonprofit work. How do you balance all these activities, and what keeps you motivated?
I think the biggest thing that keeps me motivated is a genuine enjoyment of and appreciation for all the things I do. I have built a strong support network around me, and I always make sure to find time for the things I enjoy the most. Swimming instilled time management skills that now help me balance academics, leadership, and volunteering. I am so appreciative to the sport for testing me in ways that built this skill because, while it sometimes caused stress then, it has absolutely helped relieve stress now. I am also motivated by the future and the short- and long-term goals I have set for myself. Staying motivated comes from setting clear goals and finding joy in each aspect of my work. I always set out to leave anywhere I go better than I found it, and Emory is no exception. I am motivated by the goal of being a physician and making a positive impact in the lives of all the people I work with and for. I know that what I do now will help me accomplish those goals, and that is more than enough motivation for me.
Learn more about the new Master in Management program.
Will Kerscher is a member of the inaugural Master’s in Management (MiM) class at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where he serves as class president. A 2024 graduate of Emory College of Arts & Sciences, Will earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Religion. During his undergraduate years, he was a member of the Emory Men’s Swimming and Diving Team, served as president of the Emory Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and was inducted into the 2024 Emory 100 Senior Honorary.
Will is also an associate board member for Swim Across America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research. Following the completion of his MiM, he plans to attend medical school, combining his interests in medicine and business to drive innovation in healthcare.
In his free time, Will enjoys cheering on the Colorado Avalanche and Green Bay Packers with his parents, Lisa and David, his brothers, Harrison (27BBA) and Shepard, and his dog, Lotte, in his hometown of Denver, Colorado.
Read in: 日本語
