A record number of freshman business students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln began tackling real-world challenges on their very first day of college this fall. In Introduction to Business (MNGT 101), the first course in the college’s new undergraduate curriculum, students explored the different areas of business before teaming up with peer coaches and business professionals for their first collegiate competition, the inaugural Business Battle.
"Most business schools wait until junior and senior year before introducing students to industry professionals, but we wanted to do that for our freshmen. Day one we introduced them to corporate partners, real-world business challenges and mentors from our business community,” said Laurie Miller, associate dean of undergraduate programs and curriculum.
Taught by Shawntell Kroese, ’96, assistant professor of practice in management, the course replaces a traditional textbook with industry speakers, business faculty and an applied case study.
“The goal is to give them visibility into all the opportunities available and build their confidence as they figure out which path makes the most sense for them,” Kroese said.
Sponsored by MotoAmerica, the premier motorcycle road racing series in North America, the Business Battle centers on a fast-paced, high-stakes challenge developed in partnership with the organization. Richard Varner, ’76, CFO of MotoAmerica, emphasized the importance of this early exposure to business.
"My first class was a 7:30 a.m. accounting course with no context for how that fit into business," said Varner. "New students need to learn the different facets of business and then figure out where they might fit best. They need to find out early, not wait until they’re a junior and have to change majors."
Teamwork Across Generations and Industries
The course features a multi-level mentorship model that includes 27 upper-class students serving as Management 101 coaches and more than 60 business professionals who volunteer as “business consultants" during the competition phase.
“Richard Varner believed so deeply in this course that he wanted to help fund the student coaches,” said Jess Fernau, assistant director of experiential learning. “It’s incredible to have an industry partner who not only sponsors the competition but also invests in developing freshmen.”
A former Nebraska football player and long-time member of the Dean’s Advisory Board, Varner said, “Coaches are critical to helping teams make decisions, just like in the business world. I wanted to be part of something that will keep building momentum down the road.”
Coaches led weekly recitations where students applied course concepts through activity-based assignments, including SWOT analyses and AI-driven decision-making exercises. They also met students for one-on-one check-ins to support them as they navigated campus life.
“As coaches, we also help freshmen connect with campus resources,” said Christian Newcomer, a junior management major from Lincoln. “We’re someone they can turn to with questions they might be nervous to ask in class.”
Kapil Mansinghani, a senior international business major from Muscat, Oman, said coaches also helped students plug into organizations and engagement opportunities across campus.
“We help create a safe place for students to ask questions and find their community on campus,” he said.
The consultants also met with each team during the final weeks of the course to offer strategic guidance as the freshmen prepared their pitches.
“In their first semester, there is a lot of change, so establishing connections and relationships is very important,” said Erika Casarin, ‘22, Ameritas recruiter and course mentor. “My experience at the College of Business was so special that I want to help support students as they go through this hands-on experience.”
The Inaugural Business Battle
Varner, who cofounded MotoAmerica in 2014, returned to his alma mater in November to present the real-world challenge for the inaugural Business Battle. He tasked freshmen with developing a fresh ticket-sales strategy for MotoAmerica’s Circuit of the Americas (COTA) race in Texas, one of the nation’s premier racing venues near a crowded entertainment marketplace.
“It’s like yelling in a canyon,” Varner said. “You can spend a fortune on advertising, and no one hears you.”
Teams of six or seven students presented multiple times: first for consultant feedback, then in practice rounds for peers and finally in the competition round for Varner, consultants, faculty, staff and classmates.
“The winning teams gave us insight on how to reach audiences differently, and their strategies demonstrated the greatest empathy and the most bravery. Curiosity drove all those things,” Varner said. “The next Business Battle sponsor will get satisfaction from this experience because they love the college and want to support these students.”
All students received a Business Battle challenge coin from MotoAmerica and an audience vote determined the top team in each course section.
"I'm so proud of our team and everyone else who competed, and we appreciate the help from our peer mentors and our business consultant," said Michael Jones, freshman management major from Omaha, Nebraska. "We would love to see the COTA race and present some of our profitable ideas again."
Vivian Beck, a freshman international business and French major from Kansas City, looks forward to working with the same students second semester.
“As an out-of-state student, it was difficult not knowing anyone, but through this business class, I created strong friendships," she said. "I look forward to continuing with the same classmates in the spring. The better you know each other, the better you can work together."
Kroese reflected on the first-semester course with pride.
“Taking this course early in their college careers should help students throughout their time at the college as they take new courses, internships or get involved on campus,” Kroese said. “The students' energy is contagious, and I can’t wait to see where they go next as they race toward their future.”
One team from each class section won the Business Battle. The winners are listed below by hometown with their current class standing based on credit hours earned in school and academic major(s).
Nebraska
Crete: Alexa Wackel, freshman marketing
Elk Creek: Kendall Bohling, freshman accounting
Elkhorn: Trey Abara, junior management; Fred Sample, freshman finance
Lincoln: Daniel Florom, freshman finance; Elijah Harris, freshman accounting and finance; Austen Mykhaylyshyn, freshman accounting; Colton Wells, freshman economics
Omaha: Michael Jones, freshman management; Gus Neary, freshman agribusiness; Milton Rivera, junior marketing; Aedan Underwood, freshman finance
Elsewhere
Albers, Illinois: Rainer Bretz, freshman economics
Wauconda, Illinois: Noelle Dadian, freshman management
Lenexa, Kansas: Rory Cropp, freshman finance
Overland Park, Kansas: Isaac Winkler, freshman finance
Austin, Texas: Darwin Devers-Hertz, freshman accounting
Mechanicsville, Virginia: Kayden Robins, freshman business administration
Mequon, Wisconsin: Kylan Fantin, freshman actuarial science
