Students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln stepped into the role of consultants at the Global Case Competition in March. They applied classroom knowledge to an international health care challenge and pitched their recommendations to alumni and industry leaders.
Hosted by the university’s International Business Program, the competition asked collegiate teams to develop strategies for a global health care system launching artificial intelligence across international markets. Students analyzed data, built financial models and presented recommendations to judges with experience in health care and technology.
Judges included Kris Fitzgerald, '77, retired chief technology officer of Dell; Jim Murray, ‘92, managing director of the BDO Center for Healthcare Excellence & Innovation in Boston; and Bridgett Ojeda, chief information officer for Bryan Health in Lincoln.
Fitzgerald returned to campus from Texas to not only judge but also underwrite the competition's cash prizes with his wife, Laurel (’78). He said opportunities like this help bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace.
“This is reality versus the book, and hands-on opportunities like this case competition bring reality to what they are learning. That's what prepares students to be successful,” Fitzgerald said. "I have a strong propensity to give back and help people grow. I get energy from the students, their questions and seeing what they do next."
Murray said the experience stood out for giving students exposure to real-world challenges earlier than ever before.
“Simply put, these types of opportunities didn’t exist when we were undergrads. Having someone like Kris at the table, given the career he’s had, and asking students to dive into such a timely topic – even handling a last-minute twist in the case – is so beneficial for the students,” he said. "Everyone did amazing, and the future really is bright with these students."
The collegiate team that won first place and $5,000 for their solution often collaborates through the student organization Wall Street Scholars of Nebraska. Team members included: Will Blatchford, junior finance and economics major from Lincoln; Kyler Evans, junior finance major from Elkhorn, Nebraska; Christian Thomas, junior finance and accounting major from Omaha, Nebraska; and Miles Wirth, junior finance major from Lincoln.
Judges noted the team’s strong use of data and clear financial analysis as key factors in the decision.
“I feel like we did a really strong job of tying our thesis to actual numbers. We were able to give a really clear depiction of what we believed would happen if we moved forward with our plan,” Evans said.
Blatchford said interacting with the judges was also a big benefit from the experience.
"It was cool to learn from them and hear about their experience. Kris is really up to speed on what's going on in technology today. He mentioned he is retired, but he's also on 12 different boards right now, including several AI startups. For him to give his time to us is really meaningful."
Raikes School students earned second place and $3,000. Their team included: Landen Fogle, senior computer science and finance major from Omaha; Lena Lankas, senior computer science and mathematics major from Lincoln; Nathan Ray, senior supply chain management major from Omaha; and Mia Siner, senior accounting, computer science and finance major from Leawood, Kansas.
Third place and $2,000 went to Saylor Babcock, junior accounting major from Lincoln; Grace Bloedorn, sophomore biology major from Chanhassen, Minnesota; Adah Cumming, sophomore biology major from Kansas City, Missouri; and Brook Hennies, sophomore advertising and public relations major from Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.
For many students, the competition offered a chance to collaborate across disciplines and apply their skills in a high-pressure setting.
“It’s a fun opportunity to bring together all our different skills,” Fogle said.
Babcock, Bloedorn, Cumming and Hennies were encouraged to join the competition after attending their orientation to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain, this summer through one of the College of Business programs. Hennies said the competition was a first for all of them.
“I had never done a case study like this before, but I really enjoyed it,” she said. "It was fun to work with more of the business side of things. Our teammates majoring in biology worked out well for us, too, considering the topic of the case."
The competition also featured a separate high school division for students from Standing Bear High School in Lincoln through the Nebraska Business at Standing Bear focus program. The program connects College of Business faculty and staff with high school teachers to integrate business concepts across disciplines.
Students in Jorge Vera Chavez’s Spanish class participated in the competition, drawing on their global thinking and communication skills to the case.
“They were really excited to come to UNL and take on the challenge and get competitive,” Vera Chavez said. "While the competition was conducted in English, we talked about how, if they go into business and expand to another country, they may need to present in that country’s language. I hope today helped them feel more confident in presenting so that one day they could be doing this in Spanish as well,” he said.
He also shared how the focus program has helped introduce students to college-level expectations and career pathways earlier.
"The partnership with the College of Business has been very beneficial for us," Vera Chavez said. "Many of my students are in the focus program or other business classes the college offers at Standing Bear High School. They are always talking about it, showing up in suits and telling others about their mock interviews. It's definitely getting students to start thinking about what they can do in the future."
