The Arizona Statewide Business School Case Competition is set to make a return at Northern Arizona University for its third annual event. This occasion offers students from across Arizona’s top institutions an unparalleled chance to put their academic learning to the test through practical business challenges.
Teaming up for this initiative are Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and NAU, creating a platform where students can transcend academic boundaries to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. The competition highlights the importance of soft skills such as communication, leadership, and adaptability.
Student Participation and Selection
Christine Drake, director of student success at The W. A. Franke School of Business, explained that each participating university selects 20 undergraduate and 10 graduate students for the event. “The three deans of the three business schools wanted to do a collaborative event for students to address real-world business problems,” Drake stated. The competition includes two divisions, with participants forming teams to tackle business cases within a five-hour window before presenting their solutions.
The cases are designed to reflect the regional characteristics of the host university’s location. For instance, last year’s case at the University of Arizona revolved around the decision-making process in the semiconductor supply chain. The final presentations are judged by the deans, with the top teams from each division progressing to the final round.
Collaboration Over Competition
“What’s unique about this competition is that we do not compete against schools,” Drake emphasized. Teams are intentionally mixed with students from each university, fostering a spirit of collaboration. Networking events are also integrated to help students connect with industry professionals.
FCB Dean Ashok Subramanian highlighted the event’s collaborative nature: “This event is ‘co-opetition’ in action—where the spirit of the game meets the power of partnership to solve for our region.” The ultimate goal is to prepare students for impactful roles in their communities.
Future Prospects and Skills Development
Scheduled for March 19-20 at The W. A. Franke College of Business, this year’s competition will focus on cases pertinent to northern Arizona. Drake mentioned that discussions for next year’s event are already underway, aiming to continuously provide students with opportunities to refine their skills and prepare for professional success.
“We can train students to do marketing or accounting, but these types of events bring it all together,” Drake noted. The competition is designed to build a foundation that combines classroom knowledge with essential professional skills, leaving students with a sense of achievement and readiness for future challenges.
Mariana Laas | NAU Communications
(928) 523-5050 | mariana.laas@nau.edu
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