Smith School Students Win Milgard Invitational Case Competition

Last week, Maryland students Marvi Shroff, Eileen Chen, Meilin Yuan, and Jiayi Wang took home the first-place trophy and won global recognition for the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the 14th annual Milgard Invitational Case Competition.

The Milgard Invitational Case Competition is hosted by the University of Washington-Tacoma each year as an opportunity for student teams to gain valuable impact-based consulting experience in a competitive environment. Teams have two weeks to study the case brief, research the company, analyze management and financial decisions, and prepare their final slides before delivering a 15-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of Q&A to a panel of four judges. This year's case brief focused on a strategy analysis of the aviation industry, comparing the financials and sustainability practices of Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer.

The Maryland team presented their strategic recommendation to invest in Airbus based on their financial stability and sustainability initiatives. Judges told the group that they were impressed by not only the depth of their research and analysis but also the professionalism and ease of their presentation skills.

“It was an incredible experience gaining hands-on expertise in conducting in-depth investment research and delivering a presentation of this caliber,” says Wang.

The team of all juniors was selected to represent Smith at the University of Washington by first competing in the University of Maryland’s Smith Invitational Case Competition, hosted by the Center for Social Value Creation in partnership with Social Impact at Smith. This digital competition was held on January 13, 2025, and focused on sustainable investment through electric vehicle manufacturers. Shroff, Chen, Yuan, and Wang competed against twelve other teams of Smith undergraduate students to display their innovative financial solutions to the judges.

"It's incredibly exciting to witness our students' growth and expertise in social responsibility. Their commitment to innovation and sustainable business practices is truly inspiring. Smith is honored to have produced two of the last four champions in this prestigious case competition, showcasing the depth of our programs and the talent of our students," says Nima Farshchi, Executive Director of Social Impact at Smith and the Center for Social Value Creation.

About the Center for Social Value Creation (CSVC)
The mission of CSVC is to educate, engage and empower the Smith community and the world through thought-provoking dialogue, thought leadership, and hands-on experience. We are guided by the drive to create a world where business operates for the long-term value of both people and the planet. CSVC is the hub of learning for how business is good for society. We help create well-rounded students who understand the ways that businesses are evolving. We are focused on all Smith community members and both challenge and grow through society’s newest needs as they arise.

About Social Impact at Smith
Social Impact at Smith is a dean’s initiative advancing the values of businesses to serve a social purpose. We achieve this by equipping students and the greater University of Maryland community with the skills and resources needed to both maximize shareholder value and positively impact society and the planet. This initiative aims to create the next generation of business leaders ready to tackle the grand challenges of our time.