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School of Business Administration

Elliott Hall, Room 427
275 Varner Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)

School of Business Administration

Elliott Hall, Room 427
275 Varner Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)

A young woman standing in front of a projector screen displaying percentage data.

Business Scholars Program

Motivated business students strengthen core business competencies in the competitive Business Scholars program. In the elite Business Scholars program, Oakland business students push the boundaries to expand their education and master professional competencies through:

  • leadership development
  • case competitions
  • mentor/mentee relationship
  • community involvement
Contact Us
Joy Jiang
(248) 370-2832
jiang@oakland.edu

Meaghan Cole
mcwalter@oakland.edu
Program Highlights

Through the OU Business Scholars program a select group of OU business students take advantage of career-enhancing activities to further develop their problem-solving, decision-making and leadership skills.

Leadership Development

Leadership development is based on the Lorminger Leadership Competencies that are selected specifically for the level of the students based on their progression in the program.

First-year Scholars
Presentation Skills
Conflict Management

Second-year Scholars
Negotiating Skills
Process Management

All Scholars
Annual challenge course team building event

Case Competitions

Three Saturdays per academic year devoted to case competition training

Scholars work in teams (lead by senior-level students) to analyze and present a solution to a specific business challenge to a panel of  faculty and business professional judges. Prizes are awarded to the winning team. Previous prizes have included tuition credit, iPads and Microsoft Surfaces)

Mentorship

Each Scholar has an opportunity to receive mentorship from a business professional in various capacities.

Community

Each year, Scholars decide what community project or organization they want to engage to support.

Meet the Scholars
Business Scholars
Erin McElreath Business ScholarErin

Major: Marketing and Management Information Systems with Business Analytics specialization

Campus involvement: Business Ambassadors, Business Scholars and Business Transfer Students

Why Oakland University: I chose Oakland University for its academics, transfer student program, and campus involvement.

What makes Business Scholars interesting: Its focus on professional growth through its mentorship program and case study competitions.
Mariella Simoncini Scholars Mariella

Major: Finance
Minor: Spanish, Data Analytics

Campus involvement: Honors College, NCAA Women's golf team, Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Business Scholars

Why Oakland University: I chose Oakland because of the outstanding golf program and its medium-size, beautiful campus!

What makes Business Scholars interesting: Competing in case competitions and being under the pressure with my group. Receiving feedback on our performance and creativity is always helpful, and I enjoy watching us improve each time.

Why major in business: I have always had an entrepreneurial mind and I enjoy problem-solving and critical thinking about how to make a business more efficient.
Nick Norman Scholars Nick

Major: Accounting
Minor: Finance

Campus involvement: Business Scholars

Why Oakland University: I chose OU because I really liked the layout of the campus and everything OU has to offer.

What makes Business Scholars interesting: The mentorship program.
Hannah T OU Business Honors Student 2020 cohortHannah

Major: Operations Management with Project Management specialization
Minor: Writing

Why OU:“I knew [Oakland University] was the place for me. The small, personalized classes of the Business Honors Program combined with the culture of the campus felt right.”

More: Lauren appreciates how business students help each other succeed.

Additional experiences: Honors College
MatthewMatthew

Major: Finance

Why OU: “I love the area, the campus and was impressed with the business programs, including Scholars and the Business Honors Program. I’ve seen first-hand how much the Business Career Services team cares about students. There are just so many opportunities.”

More: Attending Oakland allowed Matthew to move his athletic career to the collegiate level with an offer from OU coaching staff to paly on the D1 ACHA Hockey team.

Why Scholars: It allows students to be creative in real-life scenarios. “The ability to apply our ideas and collaborate ultimately prepares us for the professional world.”
OU Business Scholar Jaymie, white female, smiling at camera for professional headshotJaymie

Majors: Accounting and Management Information Systems with a Business Analytics specialization

Motivation: After stepping foot on campus, Jaymie knew Oakland University was for her. She declared her majors following an accounting class she “loved.”

“I chose Oakland because I fell in love with the campus when first visiting.”

More: Jaymie is building connections across campus through Phi Sigma Sigma, Emerging Leaders, Alpha Lambda Delta and Women in Business at OU.
Leo, Business ScholarLeandro

Major: Finance
Minor: Business Analytics

Motivation: Oakland University checked off all his boxes when looking for a college home.

“I liked the location a lot, beautiful campus, vicinity to my new house, vicinity to so many big businesses. It has a great alumni network, and [the] International Students Office is very helpful.”

More: Branching out, Leandro is gaining experience as the vice president of the OU Financial Management Association and as a mortgage loan processor intern at Zana Financial and Equity Group.

“When you work in the mortgage industry, you become an essential part of one of people's most important transactions, financing their dream house. Doing this, I find true meaning in the work I do and it is very rewarding.”
Marcello, Business ScholarMarcelo

Major: Accounting

Why OU: Smaller class sizes, affordability and quality of the undergraduate business program fueled Marcelo’s decision to attend Oakland University.

More: The university and business school provide great resources to those who seek them.

“A business degree allows you to take a variety of classes, meet great people and develop skills that can translate in the workforce.”
Ayilah, Business ScholarAyilah

Major: Accounting
Minor: Business Analytics

What activities/organizations are you involved with on campus? I am involved in the Pakistani Student Association (PSA), Muslim Student Assocation (MSA), and Decision and Data Science Assocation (DDSci).

What do you appreciate about the School of Business? Something I appreciate about the School of Business at OU is how open all the advisors are to helping with student success.
Ben

Major: Business Economics
Minor: Marketing

Have you had any internships - if yes what was the most important lesson from that experience? The most important thing I've learned throughout the internships I've had is that the earlier one can get a taste of the "Real World" the better. Projects and coursework can only go so far. It is essential to put ourselves in situations where we must apply what it is that we've learned.

What activities/organizations are you involved with on campus? Student Congress, Collegiate DECA, Ideas to Business, Society for Applied Investing and Financial Education, and Economics Student Association.
Bre, Business ScholarBre

Major: Marketing

Why did you choose Oakland University? The location (close to home) and the beautiful campus!

Have you had any internships - if yes what was the most important lesson from that experience? Yes, I am currently interning at Enterprise as a Management Trainee. The most important thing I’ve learned thus far is to not be afraid to ask for help!
Daniel, Business ScholarDaniel

Major: Economics
Minor: Finance

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? Interested in working in a group to solve business problems.

What do you appreciate about the School of Business? How it can help me connect with professionals as well as other students in business.
Emilija, Business ScholarEmilija

Major: Finance
Minor: Marketing

Have you had any internships - if yes what was the most important lesson from that experience? Yes, I expanded my knowledge in the finance and accounting world.

What do you appreciate about the School of Business? All of the opportunities that are given to the students.
Jimmy, Business ScholarJimmy

Major: Human Resource Management and/or General Management

Why did you choose Oakland University? Their business school was an ideal fit for my goals and what I want to accomplish.

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? It can help provide me with skills needed in my career choice and give me an opportunity to be more involved with the University.
Jon, Business ScholarJon

Major: Economics
Minor: Finance

What activities/organizations are you involved with on campus? Vice President of OU Roundnet Club, Member of Economics' Student Association, and the Decision and Data Science Organization.

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? It looked like a very good opportunity to meet other students that are driven to go above and beyond in their academics, and to gain some teamwork experience with the case competitions. The mentorship program also seemed like a great way to form a connection and have extra guidance throughout college.
Justin, Business ScholarJustin

Major: Accounting

Why did you choose Oakland University I chose Oakland University due to their elite accreditation for not only their business program, but also their accounting program. The school also has a variety of activities and student organizations to join and get involved in. I enjoy the large sprawling campus which is within a reasonable driving distance from my home.

What do you appreciate about the School of Business? I have always appreciated how passionate the professors are about the subjects they are teaching. I've always found the faculty extremely helpful and always willing to assist or answer any questions I have. The school of business also has a variety of student organizations where I have been able to expand my knowledge on career paths that interest me while meeting other students that share similar career aspirations as me.
Kat, Business ScholarKat

Major: General Management
Minor: Marketing

What activities/organizations are you involved with on campus? I am currently the Vice president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance club, Marketing director for the Meadowbrook Ball Committee, a TA for HC 1000, and a CMI peer mentor.

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? I recognize that as part of the business scholars program, I will have access to knowledge within my field of study from those with experience and expertise in the world of business. I believe that this is a great opportunity that will allow me to succeed in my career and better prepare me for any obstacles with the knowledge gained from this program.
Kaite, Business ScholarKatie

Major: Finance

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? I wanted a chance to get to know the people I’ll be graduating with and potentially working with in the future. The Scholars program seems to be a fun way to get to know my peers and make friends.

What do you appreciate about the School of Business? I appreciate the welcoming environment that comes with the school of business. Everyone seems very friendly and helpful when it comes to new members.
Michael, Business ScholarMichael

Major: Finance

Have you had any internships - if yes what was the most important lesson from that experience? Yes, I currently have been Interning at Sage View Financial a private wealth Management firm out of California. The most important lesson I have learned is, not to be afraid to ask questions or voice an idea to solve a problem.

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? To expand my networking capabilities, have the opportunity for mentorship and improve my communication with presentation skills in business.
In the News
Business Scholars tackle post-pandemic strategy in latest case competition
March 8, 2022

In its latest case competition, Business Scholars tackled the challenge facing most organizations today: resetting strategy for a post-pandemic world.

Business Scholars demonstrate advantages of teamwork in November case competition
December 10, 2021

For this competition, the Scholars transported themselves into planning crucial expansion for the mock “Learn Play Grow” educational game startup in southern Europe.

Scholars test growth strategy skills in first case competition of the year
November 4, 2021

In its first case competition of the academic year, five teams of OU Business Scholars faced off to develop strategies to support a Canadian company’s post-pandemic retention and growth.

Business Scholars practice change management in case competition
February 13, 2020

Oakland Business Scholars team members put their change management skills to work in a case that challenged them to examine the relationship between organizational culture and morale.

Business Scholars focus on marketing strategies in latest case competition
December 12, 2018

In their most recent case competition, teams of Business Scholars developed and presented marketing strategies to grow annual sales for Detroit Bikes.

Business Scholars case competition puts strategy and leadership skills to use
October 23, 2018

Scholars were challenged to create a case for complimentary service offerings in the evolving the business strategy of Banff Aspen Lodge.

Business Scholars present strategies, learn by doing
April 10, 2018

Three OU Business Scholar teams faced-off in their final case competition of the year.

OU Business Scholars place second in prestigious international case competition
May 11, 2017

After a demanding 12 weeks of competition in the two-part International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC), the OU Business Scholars placed second for overall performance in their world.