Newsroom

The strength of the Paul Merage School of Business has always extended far beyond Irvine. Few places demonstrate that global spirit more powerfully than Korea, where an extraordinary alumni community continues to lead, volunteer, and invest their time to advance the school’s mission. The Korea Merage Alumni Group is the largest alumni community outside the United States, with more than 300 highly engaged MBA, Master’s, and PhD alumni spanning the classes of 1987 to 2025, and maintaining close connections with approximately 50 current students.

Throughout 2025, Merage alumni in Korea stepped forward again and again to support students, prospective applicants, faculty, and staff. From hosting intimate dinners for newly admitted students to organizing large-scale recruitment and engagement events, their efforts reflect a deep sense of pride and responsibility to the Merage community.

Under the leadership of Chris Insuk Song, President of the Korean Alumni Chapter, alumni volunteers played a central role in welcoming visiting leadership, supporting international residential programming, and strengthening Merage’s presence across Seoul’s business and academic communities. Alumni opened doors to leading organizations, universities, and institutions, organized panels and site visits, and created meaningful opportunities for current students to connect with the Korean business ecosystem.

“As Merage alumni, we see it as our pleasure and worthwhile to give back to the school that shaped our careers and our lives,” said Song. “Merage is more than a business school. It is our pride and a global community. When our students and faculty come to Korea, we want them to feel supported, welcomed, and inspired by what this community can accomplish together.”

Highlights from the past year include alumni-led networking dinners with new and prospective students, multiple visits with Dean Ian Williamson and senior leadership, coordinated company and university visits, and the successful alumni-supported Access MBA Fair in Seoul since 2011. Alumni also strengthened connections across programs, bringing together MBA, EMBA, FEMBA, MFIN, MSBA, MIE, MPAc, PhD, and undergraduate graduates into one cohesive and supportive network.

As the school prepares for the upcoming international residential experience in Korea, we extend our sincere thanks to the entire Korean alumni community for their leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment.

“Our goal is simple and clear,” Song added. “To make sure every Merage student who engages with Korea leaves with stronger relationships, deeper perspective, and confidence that they belong to something truly global.”

To our Korean alumni in Korea, the US, and around the world, thank you for all you have done and all you continue to do. Your impact is felt across campuses, classrooms, and careers, and we look forward to building on this momentum together in the months ahead.