Love has a funny way of showing up — sometimes in a lecture hall, sometimes on a class trip, and sometimes while racing your partner to the snack table during an Executive MBA Saturday session.
This year, in our annual celebration of love, we recognize Scheller couples across the Full-time, Evening, and Executive MBA programs who balance assignments, careers, group projects, and real life together.
Here’s how these Scheller sweethearts study and support each other all the way to graduation and beyond.
Full-time MBA: Lauren Dasher and Prem Rupawala
1. How did you first meet?
We met on the first day of orientation while getting our BuzzCards! We started talking on the Scheller bus and quickly connected over our interests and taste in music. We had both lived in London and realized we’d played soccer at the same park in middle school.
Our class bonded quickly, and the early socials gave us plenty of time to get to know each other. It was a natural connection, and we haven’t looked back since.
2. Did any professor or course unexpectedly bring you closer together?
We had a lot of classes together from the first semester on that helped us learn more about each other personally and intellectually. This semester, we’re going to Rwanda for the International Practicum — an experience we’re both incredibly excited about.
3. Do you have any shared MBA rituals (coffee before class, evening walks, vent sessions after accounting)?
We love taking walks after classes and getting dinner once a week at our favorite taco place, Little Rey. On the accounting front — despite not having a business background — Lauren was great at accounting, so maybe the ritual was her helping me out a little.
4. What is your favorite “grad school date”?
Momonoki! It’s the perfect cozy spot any time of day.
5. How has the MBA shaped your relationship?
Being back in school together as adults has given us the chance to support each other through new challenges. We’ve learned how to show up for each other in moments of uncertainty, which has strengthened us personally and helped us understand the best ways to be there for one another.
6. What’s one piece of teamwork advice for couples entering the MBA journey?
We actually haven’t worked on teams together in the MBA, but our skills would complement each other well! Strong communication and understanding are huge benefits to teamwork — so we’d say go for it.
7. If your relationship were a Scheller class, which one would it be?
“Collaborative Product Development.” That class is all about customer discovery and understanding needs before creating solutions. Our relationship is similar. We stay curious about each other and build toward a shared vision for our lives together.
8. If your relationship had an “MBA soundtrack,” what song would take you right back to Scheller?
“Agitations Tropicale” by L’Imperatrice. We both sent the song to each other at the exact same moment during week two of school. Later, we saw them live with friends from the program; it was one of our favorite concerts ever.
Evening MBA: Mariah Maxie and Ryan Smith
1. How did you first meet?
We officially met as undergrads at Georgia State, but our paths actually first crossed during our freshman year at Georgia Southern. It seems we were always destined to be in the same orbit. And apparently, we just can't stay away from a college campus!
2. Did any professor or course unexpectedly bring you closer together?
Debby Turner’s “Financial and Managerial Accounting” course. As a communications major, that was my first real business class, and I was obsessed with it. I’d come home every night and basically talk Ryan's ear off. I must’ve been convincing, because my constant class talk sparked his interest and led him to apply to Scheller the next semester.
3. Do you have any shared MBA rituals?
Honestly, the best ritual is just carpooling. But since we have a three-year-old, our real routine is the “Saint Swap.” On days when our classes overlap, we meet at the car and trade places so one of us can entertain Saint while the other is in class. It’s a total hand-off.
4. What is your favorite “grad school date”?
We’re guilty of a post-class pit stop at Sublime Doughnuts. Since we usually only pass it on our way home, it has become our guilty pleasure after a long day. It’s simple, but it definitely feels like a date to us.
5. How has the MBA shaped your married life?
This is our third time being in school together and our second master’s degree as a couple. In our family, we’ve earned the nicknames "Jimmy Neutron 1" and "Jimmy Neutron 2." While Scheller has made us more competitive during family trivia nights, it has also aligned our future. We’re both committed to propelling our family forward through hard work and a world-class education.
6. What’s one piece of teamwork advice for couples entering the MBA journey together?
For those in the Evening MBA program who are balancing careers and kids, we recommend using a shared calendar. Between birthdays, deadlines, class schedules, and childcare, things move fast. Since we aren't always on campus on the same days, one source of truth keeps us on track with assignments and life.
7. If your relationship were a Scheller class, which one would it be?
“Negotiation & Conflict Resolution.” If we weren’t getting our MBAs, we’d probably be in law school. We can – and will – debate almost any point with each other, our families, or our friends.
8. If your relationship had an “MBA soundtrack,” what song would take you right back to Scheller?
“A Couple of Minutes” by Olivia Dean. We discovered it on a trip to Europe last fall and fell in love with it. Even though it’s a bit of a sad song, it helps us slow down and chill out after a long night of classes.
Executive MBA: Rikkelle Schulte and Jared Schulte
1. How did you first meet?
We met freshman year of high school in our hometown of Las Vegas. Although we’d known each other for years, we reconnected on MySpace (aging us both with this tidbit) in our mid-20s and didn’t start dating until then. We've been married for 16 years and have two teenagers (send help).
2. Did any professor or course unexpectedly bring you closer together?
Yes. Each class in the Executive MBA program at Scheller challenged us in different ways, pushing us to grow individually while supporting one another.
3. Did you have any shared MBA rituals?
Definitely. Our shared ritual was trying to beat each other to the snack table during breaks to claim the good snacks first.
4. What was your favorite “grad school date” on or around campus?
Most of our “grad school dates” involved going out with classmates after long Saturdays in class, but one that stands out was attending the Georgia Tech Homecoming football game together.
5. How has your MBA shaped your married life today?
Going through the Executive MBA program together has deepened our appreciation for each other’s strengths and perspectives. Watching how the other approaches leadership, problem-solving, and pressure has strengthened our respect for one another and made us more intentional partners. It’s given us a shared language and experience that continues to shape how we support each other.
6. What’s one piece of teamwork advice for couples entering the MBA journey?
Be intentional – with your time, your priorities, your personal self-care, and each other. Balancing demanding coursework, careers, and family life requires real teamwork, honest communication, and a lot of grace. The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that growth occurs in the classroom and at home.
7. If your relationship were a Scheller class, which would it be?
Negotiations! Our relationship is basically nonstop with trade-offs, strategic concessions, and the occasional timeout. Between Executive MBA deadlines, parenting, and debates over snacks, schedules, and who’s actually more tired, we’ve both developed strong BATNAs (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) – usually involving snacks, silence, or sleep!
8. If your relationship had an “MBA soundtrack,” what song would take you right back to Scheller?
“The Final Countdown” by Europe. Nothing captures late nights, looming deadlines, team meetings, and powering through together like dramatically counting down to graduation.