Brian Kim-Koutsis

Meet Brian

Brian's dedication to personal growth, be it his own or that of his fellow Cornellians, is a testament to his family. They inspire his work ethic because their sacrifices ensure he lives a fulfilled life. Whether studying in the whimsical Alternatives Library in Anabel Taylor Hall, complete with a Global Tea Club station, or watching sunsets over Cayuga Lake, Brian has found a home away from home to pursue his dreams. 

What clubs/activities are you involved with on campus?

  • Dyson Dean's Student Advisory Council (President / Chair)
  • Cornell Undergraduate Asia Business Society (President)
  • Ventures Accelerated (President)
  • Dyson Ambassadors (E-Board)
  • Dyson Undergraduate Council (E-Board)
  • Cornell Consulting Group (Senior Advisor, Social Chair)
  • Cornell Financial Analysts (Tech Sector Lead)
  • Dyson Peer Career Consulting Advisor
  • TA: AEM 2200 Business Management
  • TA: AEM 2700 Management Communication
  • TA: AEM 3000 Project Development & High-Performance Teams
  • Undergrad Out4Business
  • Dyson Diversity Council
  • Cornell Coffee Club
  • Cornell University Sustainable Design Project Team

When you were applying, why did you choose Cornell?

When I thought about how I wanted to approach selecting what university to attend, I thought about which schools would provide me with the most opportunity to grow as a person. I believe personal growth both stems from within and is facilitated by those around you. Objectively speaking, Cornell’s dedication to “Any Person Any Study” directly ensures that as students, we have the opportunity to meet and engage with people of more diverse backgrounds and interests than any other university in the United States. This opportunity, I knew, would allow me to best grow as a person from my surroundings, but also inspire me to be an even better version of myself.

Similarly, I wanted a university that had a small community feeling with the simultaneous opportunity to meet someone new every day. The way Cornell is set up, with several colleges that are each unique and have their own communities, within the larger university, directly facilitates two things: belonging within your own community and exposure to those not in your college.

How did you find your friends and community at Cornell?

Joining on-campus organizations is one of the best ways to find your people at Cornell. Despite the large undergraduate student population and a seemingly impossible number of people to meet, bonding over a shared interest through involvement in an organization can facilitate bonds that you would have never expected to be so strong. As an undergraduate business student in Dyson, some of my best friends are in different colleges across Cornell but are in the same pre-professional organizations. Having bonded over a shared interest in a particular industry, we would spend ample time completing new member educations for the organization, but also participating in fun social activities with the members, like overnight retreats, trips to New York City, and casual hangouts on the weekend that lead to strong friendships. At Cornell, there is truly a club or organization for any interest (I am also part of the Coffee Club and Honeybee Club at Cornell!), which makes it easy to develop connections.

Where is your go-to place to eat on-campus and your favorite thing to order?

Martha’s Café in the Human Ecology Building is by far my favorite on-campus dining option. Think Chopt x Cava, but better. The bowls they make at Martha’s are healthy, filling, and delicious, and have so many different combination options to switch up on different days, depending on how you’re feeling or what you’re craving. Not only does Martha’s have great food, but it’s in an amazing location. It is right next to the HumEc Atrium which is extremely well-lit with massive floor-to-ceiling windows all around, and very well-decorated, where students often hang out in between classes, adding to the good vibes of the cafe and space. I highly recommend it!

Hometown

Eastchester, New York

Graduation Year

2025

College/School

  • Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Majors

  • Applied Economics and Management

When I thought about how I wanted to approach selecting what university to attend, I thought about which schools would provide me with the most opportunity to grow as a person… Cornell’s dedication to “Any Person Any Study” directly ensures that [we] have the opportunity to meet and engage with people of more diverse backgrounds and interests than any other university in the United States.

Tell us about your favorite thing to do in Ithaca.

While this may be a cliché answer, whether it be fall, winter, or spring, watching the sunset over the slope is my favorite thing to do on campus and in Ithaca in general. In the fast-paced, busy environment that is Cornell, there is something so calming and natural about taking a minute to pause and observe the beautiful nature around us, especially that which is viewable from our campus. I will often drive to other spots in Ithaca with friends to watch the sunset, whether that be Cayuga Lake, Sunset Park, or the top floor of Bradfield Hall (the tallest building on campus), since looking across the valley and lake is just so beautiful.

What inspires you?

Day in and day out, I am inspired by those that came before me. The hard work of my family, especially my mom’s side of my family immigrating from Korea and risking their lives to benefit the generations to come, is what keeps me working so hard. I am inspired by the sacrifices of my family and how selfless they have been in ensuring that I have a fruitful and fulfilling life, and work every day to ensure that their sacrifices were, and are, for good reason.

What is your favorite class so far and why?

My favorite class has been AEM 3600: Impact Learning Trip to South Africa. This was by far the best and most impactful class I have taken in my time at Cornell. This class spanned the winter and spring semesters, with a two-and-a-half week trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, in the middle of it during our winter break. Through the class, we engaged with and consulted for non-profit organizations in Johannesburg and became immersed in their day-to-day lives. We learned about the problems they face and got the in-person experience of attempting to solve them. The class helped me learn new perspectives of my life and the world around me, and I could not be more grateful for the experience.

Tell us about your favorite place to study.

The Anabel Taylor Hall Alternatives Library is easily one of the best spots to study on campus. It looks like the inside of a children’s bookstore but gives the vibe of fun academics (i.e. it makes studying more fun because of the way the library is designed). The Global Tea Club at Cornell also has their meetings there and has a little tea station where students studying can make free tea to drink while they study. It is a great place to both sit down and grind out some work with friends, or chill on a beanbag and sip on some good tea.

Tell us about your favorite spot on campus or in Ithaca.

In the true spirit of Dyson, my favorite place on campus has to be Mann Library Atrium. It is central to the Dyson student experience, especially that of first-year students. The Atrium fills with students passing by one another, saying hi, discussing their classes, and grabbing coffee or food from Mann Café. It is also where hundreds of coffee chats happen every semester between Dyson underclassmen and upperclassmen. In a way, it represents a place of the passing of knowledge essential to succeeding in Dyson and at Cornell. Just like those before me, and those to come, I have learned so much and met such amazing people in this space. It feels like a second home to me.