UA Announces Winners of Leadership Diversity Competition

UA Announces Winners of Leadership Diversity Competition

Seven schools from four states made up the nine teams that competed in the 2017 Culverhouse Leadership Diversity Competition Jan. 26-28 at The University of Alabama.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Teams from Indiana University, Xavier University and Alabama State University took home the top honors in The University of Alabama’s third annual Culverhouse Leadership Diversity Competition.

The Indiana University team came in first place for their business solution and presentation for American multinational toy and board game company Hasbro.

The team was awarded $5,000. Team members include Jade Haynes, Jada Haynes and Siphiwe Muze, and adviser Taryn Thomas.

Xavier University came in second place for their presentation on a business solution for TripAdvisor. The team was awarded $3,000. Team members include Braxton Murray, Brianna Warren and Laurence Walker, and adviser Dr. Syed Ahmed.

One of Alabama State University’s teams, the Alabama State Stingers, took home third place for their business solution for Tempur-Pedic. They were awarded $1,800. Team members include Breana Rucker, Zaria Strayhorn and Jasmine Frazier, and adviser Dr. DeShannon McDonald.

Students who won individual awards include Best Presenters Breana Rucker, Alabama State University Stingers; Jade Haynes, Indiana University; and Brianna Warren, Xavier University. Best Q&A went to Raven New, Alabama A&M University; Rose Bryant, Stillman College; and Laurence Warren, Xavier University.

All three winning teams advance to the 2017 National Black MBA Association case competition in Philadelphia, and their registration fees and accommodations are paid for by the association. In addition, every student who participated in the competition will receive a one-year membership to The National Black MBA Association.

“NBMBAA is proud to sponsor and align ourselves with the Culverhouse Diversity Case Competition,” said Troy Evans, NBMBAA’s vice president of Strategic Programming Initiatives. “We have benefited just as much, if not more, from the rich and diverse learning experience the competition provides and look forward to growing our joint efforts in the years to come.”

Seven schools from four states made up the nine teams that participated in the 2017 Culverhouse Leadership Diversity Competition Jan. 26-28 at The University of Alabama.

The three-person teams of junior and sophomore students had 36 hours to research an assigned company and develop one recommendation that could be executed in 24 hours with a $1 million budget.

Former Culverhouse graduates, business owners, faculty and corporate partners were involved in the execution of the event. Thirty-two Manderson MBAs mentored the teams; 23 corporate and alumni partners served as judges for the competition; and six Culverhouse faculty members hosted academic sessions or served as case reviewers.

​“The CLDC is an amazing diversity event targeted at raising the awareness of the value of an advanced business degree among minority students at liberal arts colleges and universities,” said Donald Comer, director of digital access marketing for FedEx.

“Students who participated in the event left with a wealth of experience and exposure that I’m certain will propel their levels of success, not just through the remainder of their college experience, but throughout their professional careers,” Comer said. “The University of Alabama is clearly demonstrating in a profound and impactful way its commitment to nurture the next generation of corporate professionals and ensuring it is a diverse and inclusive generation of business thinkers.”

Contact

Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu