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Liquan Bai

Program/Area:
Evening MBA '26
Class Year:
Spring 2026
Employer/Title:
Senior Technical Lead, Adtran

Hometown: Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China 
 

Describe yourself in 15 words or less:  

Easygoing, resilient, caring visionary engineer delivering innovative software solutions with integrity, teamwork, and adventurous spirit.   

Who most influenced your decision to pursue your MBA?  

I’ve always been fascinated by the business world and aim to combine my technical background with business training to become a more effective leader in society. 

What was your favorite business course and why?   

Strategic Management was my favorite business course because it combined first-half theoretical learning with second-half simulations. The course blended team-based and individual work, offering a strong mix of hands-on practice, collaboration, and independent decision-making throughout the product launch process.  

What advice would you give to an incoming Evening MBA student?  

Your peers, including your cohort, classmates, program office, career services, and alumni, are valuable resources, so reach out whenever you need support. Develop a clear career plan early, whether pivoting to consulting or a new industry, so you have time to prepare and fully leverage program resources.  

This clarity will guide your course selection and better equip you for your next career step. If you’re unsure about classes, connect with your program advisor. Make an effort to attend social events to build relationships and uncover opportunities. Strong networking will make it easier to access and explore future opportunities.   

What activities were you involved with on or off campus, and did your business education impact those activities in any way?  

I served on the social committee in my first year, became vice president of professional development in my second year, and in my third year chaired the health committee while leading a team of five in the year-long MIINT Competition. 

Outside of campus, I officiated a friend’s wedding as an informal officiant, something I wouldn’t have felt confident doing without the communication skills developed during my MBA. 

At work, I’ve taken on greater decision-making responsibilities and participated in co-op recruitment events, applying the public speaking and soft skills I gained through the program.   

What is something unexpected you learned about the Scheller College during your time as a student?  

I knew networking would be an important part of the MBA, but I didn’t expect our cohort to become so close. Everyone is passionate about the program and open to sharing their stories and experiences. It feels like an undergraduate community, but more professional, almost like a working-professional fraternity. Along the way, my communication skills have also improved.   

What’s been your favorite memory so far at Scheller?  

Everyone gathers in the grad commons before class to connect, hang out, and share stories and experiences.   

What is the biggest lesson you gained from your time at Scheller?  

Balancing a full-time job with classes taught me strong time management. Before the program, I regularly practiced martial arts after work and on weekends, and I wanted to maintain that routine. To do so, I had to become more efficient in managing my time, juggling coursework, exercise, and as many social and networking events as possible. Time management has been the biggest lesson from the program, helping me become more productive and disciplined.   

Where will you be working after graduation?  

I will continue at Adtran with a promotion to senior technical lead. Looking ahead, I hope to support fellow Yellow Jackets in their career development.   

What will you be doing to celebrate your graduation?  

My best friend, his wife, and I co-hosted a tropical celebration for the Georgia Tech MBA Class of 2026, bringing everyone together to celebrate this major milestone.   

Who would you like to thank most for your success?  

I would like to thank my family, whose constant support, encouragement, and belief in me made this journey possible.   

What is a fun fact about yourself?  

I moved to Atlanta from Orange County, California, inspired by a fortune cookie that read, “You will travel horizontally for a new adventure.”   

What are the top two items on your bucket list?  

  1. Go to Antarctica in two years
  2. Be part of a high-impact startup, inspired by my experience in the MIINT Competition.    

What actor would you cast to play yourself in a movie about your life, and why?  

I would say Simu Liu. He practices martial arts, and we share similar backgrounds, having been born in China and later moving to North America. Like him, my personal dreams and life goals don’t always align with traditional expectations, but I continue to pursue my own paths to success.   

What's your favorite place you've traveled to, and why?  

I’m fascinated by Alaska Glacier Bay National Park because its pristine ice holds millions of years of Earth’s history, and it stays cool all the time. I also love how peaceful and untouched it feels, with massive glaciers and a sense of scale that really puts things into perspective.   

Favorite family tradition:  

Making dumplings on Lunar New Year’s Eve and enjoying mooncakes during the Mid-Autumn Festival.   

What is your proudest accomplishment?  

Earning my MBA while working full-time and receiving the Excellent MBA Student Award was a challenging but rewarding experience. There were tough moments, but I’m grateful for the support of my partner, family, and friends who helped me push through.   

What did you want to be when you were small?  

I wanted to be an astronaut, to travel and explore the universe and experience something completely different.   

What is your latest book recommendation?  

“Success Habits: Proven Principles for Greater Wealth, Health, and Happiness” by Napoleon Hill   

Favorite restaurant in Atlanta:   

Rumi’s Kitchen, and of course Cypress, where many of us hang out after class.

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