A UVM Grossman team consisting of JD Kelly, Julia Campanella, Allen Lin and Kate Haagensen recently competed in the CIBER Case Challenge at the University of Connecticut and came away with several podium finishes. 

The structure of this competition differed to the norm, as students had one international case to solve on teams that were randomly selected. So, our students competed against each other. Unfortunately, in the random draw, three of our students were in the same “league” so only one could go to the finals.

The other schools competing were Belmont University (Nashville), Bowie State (MD), Bryant, Florida State, Purdue, San Diego State, UConn, University of Maryland, University of Trento (Italy) and UVM. Two schools had to drop out – Miami University due to hurricane damage and a university from South Africa due to visa difficulties.

However, our students made us proud. 

Kate Haagensen’s team advanced to the final round earning 3^rd place in the competition and in the final round, judges selected her out of 12 student presenters as the Best Q & A presenter.

Julia Campanella was awarded best presenter in her division – out of 16 students from Purdue, Belmont, University of Connecticut and more. 

Last year, at CIBER, UVM didn’t win any awards, this is an excellent accomplishment and testament to the students and their coach, Dave Mount!

Thanks to all for their help preparing the team, with a special mention to Professor Rocki Lee DeWitt who conducted a case analysis session the weeks before the competition and coached these students individually (especially Kate Haagensen).