KU Business student builds influence through service, campus involvement

Junior Dominic Thompson II came to KU looking for a school that offered a balanced community. He wanted an environment to reach real opportunities, but more importantly he was searching for a space of like-minded people with aligning passions. KU’s welcoming campus culture and endless programs delivered that. 

Thompson began his academic journey with a more technical scope. He spent his first year as a computer science major, building a foundation in problem-solving. However, he soon realized this path no longer aligned with his long-term goals. Thompson shifted his direction to pursue a career centered around people where he could see a visible impact.  

“I wanted to work collaboratively, solve real-world problems and see the results of my work firsthand,” Thompson said. “Through conversations with advisors and exposure to courses in the business school, I discovered information systems, which felt like the perfect intersection of technology and connection with people.” 

BLAW 301 Legal Aspects of Business solidified this decision. This class introduced Thompson to the legal and ethical foundations of business while challenging him to think more critically about how decisions affect people, organizations and society.  

This interest in legality ties back to his roots. Raised in a Kansas City household tuned into current events, Thompson developed an early awareness of government and politics. He continues this passion by complementing his degree with a political science minor, gaining a technical and social perspective on how businesses operate and policy leadership.  

Thompson translates these academic interests into real community impact across campus. One way he explores his political interest is serving on the Finance Committee for the upcoming Big XII Conference on Student Government & Leadership, an event that fosters networking and fellowship opportunities while addressing the issues student leaders face on their campuses.  

Beyond the conference, he also serves as vice president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and as vice president and historian for his chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. As a leader, Thompson works to honor organizational history while keeping people at the center of his work.  

“Community is first in what we do. With any executive position I have, that’s really what I strive for,” Thompson said. “I want to create more space for people who are like me and people who didn't necessarily come from a lot and are looking for their own path. Everyone has a voice on this campus and should be heard.” 

Mentorship has been the backbone of his leadership development. Taylor Pullen, assistant director for community development in Sorority and Fraternity Life at KU, has been a guide to Thompson as he navigates what it means to be a leader. Undertaking new executive responsibilities was a challenge at first, but figures like Taylor helped him define his leadership style and gain the confidence to step into more roles.  

The strong brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. also serves as a support system. Their continuous encouragement helps push Thompson to embrace opportunities even with his own self-doubt. When it came to applying for a competitive scholarship, his brothers were the first to recommend him and the first to celebrate his acceptance.   

Thompson was selected as a UnitedHealth Group Scholar through The Executive Leadership Council, a prestigious award that recognizes high-achieving Black undergraduate students for their leadership potential and community impact. He’s the only representative of KU and the Midwest. 

“Being the only recipient, I knew of was a huge honor for me to be able to say I am a scholar,” Thompson said. “I worked so hard to get to this point, and it really shows my own personal development and growth.”   

Last fall, the 2025 scholarship recipients traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend The Executive Leadership Council Honors Symposium, a multi-day professional development conference geared to create future business leaders. With more than 500 executives across the country, scholars participated in speaker panels and workshops to expand their networking pipelines and skills.  

For Thompson, the conference was more than an opportunity to meet with various CEOs. It was a learning experience on how to communicate and carry himself in a professional conversation. Surrounded by like-minded people, this shared environment also helped him form genuine relationships with other scholars, referring to each other as “UGH siblings.”  

“The conference reinforced in me a sense of reasonability to lead with purpose and not just lead to hold a position,” Thompson said. “It motivated me to strive for excellence and represent the program and my community well through my actions.”  

Thompson plans to translate his national exposure to a community level on campus. Introduced by this career-changing opportunity by his own fraternity brothers, he is honored to share his knowledge and continue the chain of mentorship once started before him.  

Creating impact comes with sacrifice. As a full-time college student with academic and campuswide leadership commitments, Thompson feels the weight of balancing a full schedule. However, his drive for impact and creating a space for people like him is what makes his 5 a.m. wakeup call worth it.   

“This is something that I want to do. I want to see a positive outcome out of this. I want to be a good representation of what it looks like as a servant in the community,” Thompson said.  

Looking ahead, Thompson aims to take his drive for change to a new level by using technology to support systems that serve people, specifically in health care. Thriving behind the scenes, he wants to improve workflows and system organization to reduce strain of workers to better deliver care to the community. Before then, Thompson is looking to expand his knowledge in a policy driven scope to create meaning impact. 

“I plan to continue my education through graduate school to further explore the creative and important blend of technology, public service, and systems-focused work,” Thompson said. “I’m excited to explore these opportunities and build a career that is both sustainable and rooted in service.”