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Students collaborate on the problem-solving component of the seminar, where groups must devise a strategy to save a failing company.

Students Learn Innovation, Leadership at Business Intensive Seminar

"It's a great opportunity," added Terrie Saline, director of the Bastian Family Career Center. "They learn about themselves in way that once they give their presentation, they know what they're doing. They do the research, the analysis, and then their team pulls everything together."

Miya Connors '19, a creative writing and anthropology and sociology double major, said the program appealed to her because she was intrigued to see how business could tie into her fields of study.

"I want to get into field ethnographic work," she said. "I found a lot of connections with what I learned in business with ethnography, especially with the customer development model we learned. I feel like I could really combine those skills after this program."

"It pushed me to do my best and gave me an idea of what the business world is like," she added.

This year's Business Intensive took place right after spring term classes ended. The students who participated had just completed their first or second year at Knox, and they were nominated by faculty members. 

"What I'm learning through this program will directly help me with the rest of my school time here, and for the future, post-graduation," said Morgan Potter '19, a biology major and chemistry minor. "It was great."

Alumni panelists who judged the students' presentations were:

  • Joe Bastian '67, Retired, Owner/CEO-Panera Bread Franchisee
  • Dan Spaulding '99, Vice President of People and Culture, Zillow Group
  • Helen Lin '94, Vice President, Goldman Sachs
  • Nyerere Billups '99, Associate Director, Early Development and Project Management Office for Janssen: A Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson
  • Jordi Prats '85, Director, Global Solutions Development - Maritz Motivation Solutions
  • Scott Westerman '84, Executive Vice-President and General Manager - Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits