Smith School and Bowie State University Represented at International CIBER Case Challenge

The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business sponsored eight undergraduate students, four from UMD and four from partner institution Bowie State University, to the 2017 CIBER Case Challenge hosted by the University of Connecticut. The competition, which took place Oct. 11-15, 2017, included student representatives from universities across the world. Students were organized on teams with participants from other U.S. and international universities and tackled an international business case over the course of the weekend.

Both schools put forward students who were recognized for excellence. From the Smith School, Ankit Sheth won the award for Best Presenter and Derek Xiao won for Best Question & Answer. Bowie State’s Robert Jordan was a member of the competition’s second-place team. Isaac Lerman and Lila Lin also represented the Smith School, and Jessica Alincor, Brandi McLean and Cynthia Charles participated from BSU.

All the students were advised by Zeinab Karake, clinical professor in the Department of Decision, Operations, and Information Technologies at the Smith School. Karake has advised for the case challenge for the past three years.

“The CIBER Case Challenge at UConn is a great example of how students can develop their global mindset without leaving the United States,” said Chris Olson, assistant director in the Center for Global Business. “Our students have elevated their passion for diversity as they worked on cross-cultural teams in a way that has real relevance to the world of international business. And we were thrilled this year to support BSU students on this program.”

Bowie State students who competed in the event were sponsored in part by the Smith School’s Title VI grant known as CIBER (Center for International Business Education and Research). As one of 17 schools nationwide to host a CIBER grant, the Smith School serves as a national resource center and provides support for university students across the U.S. who seek to expand their knowledge of international business.