NIU Business — the magazine of NIU College of Business - 2023 edition

NIU

Business internships pave way for full-time success

The Halo Effect

Taking Care of Business

Greetings from the Interim Dean

Some journeys are meant to come full circle.

After 30 years working for NIU — with nearly a decade as dean — I am a true Huskie at heart. As you can imagine, returning to a leadership role within the College of Business was an opportunity I have welcomed and relished.

Since I stepped into the role of interim dean for the College of Business in July, I’ve once again been inspired by the incredible things happening in our college and the unlimited potential of what we can accomplish when we unite to help students achieve their dreams.

I am encouraged by the team of selfless individuals who put business students first every single day. These faculty members, staff members, dedicated alumni and donors come together to make the College of Business what it is today — a caring and focused place where students can earn a world-class business education.

As I look back on the recent news covered in this issue of the magazine, I cannot help but be excited for what is to come next. With articles about game-changing gifts from donors, cutting-edge spaces, competitions and events in Barsema Hall, and student success stories that prove our work is paying off, the future is bright, indeed.

But big dreams don’t happen without planning and support. Consider how you can be a part of the college. Do you, like the alumni volunteers in the “Been There, Done That” story on Page 14, have business expertise to share? Would you or your company invest in a common named space in Barsema Hall like the HAVI Analytics Lab (Page 23) and HARIBO Commons (Page 22)? Are you on the verge of a career move, and an MBA might just make the difference, as it did for alumni George Strom and Vijay Harikrishna (Page 11)?

While this year is the culmination to my career at NIU, I cannot help but see it as a launch pad for the next chapter in the college — one that will continue our tradition of excellence and reimagine where we are headed next.

Go, Huskies!

Denise Schoenbachler Interim Dean College of Business Northern Illinois University

Keeping Up the Good Work

What do a global banking analyst, a nonprofit marketing assistant and a corporate recruiter have in common?

In the case of recent graduates

Jaylan Peebles, Lily Wetzel and Chloe Laws, who have all earned their degrees from NIU’s College of Business in the last year, the internships they began as business students eventually became their full-time passions.

Business internships pave way for full-time success

Today, even while these three rising stars are experiencing their first taste of career success in different fields, they have a common Huskie bond. Through the unique hands-on learning opportunities afforded to all College of Business students, they were able to get a taste for their strengths and interests, all while widening their network and paving a path to real-world success after graduation.

Left to right: Jaylan Peebles, Lily Wetzel and Chloe Laws

Growing up in Park Forest, a suburb of Chicago, Jaylan Peebles was the oldest of nine siblings. His mother always encouraged him, telling him that he had the potential to create a positive change in the family’s history.

“While success, as I envisioned it, was not readily apparent in my surroundings, I did aspire to become a businessman who wore suits and worked in an office where intelligence was valued over physical prowess,” Peebles said.

As the years went by, good grades came easily to Peebles, who did not put forth much effort in his classes. However, he did not always have a vision of what his future would hold.

“It was my mother who served as a profound source of

A Different Path

motivation for me to pursue a different path,” he recalls. “She recognized my untapped potential and urged me to strive for more, refusing to let me settle.”

When he found himself on the Northern Illinois University campus in 2018, he had more than enough opportunities to prove his leadership potential. He became director of cultural awareness and then president of the Black Student Union, as well as director of leadership and development for the Black Male Initiative on campus. In 2021, Peebles became social media chair for his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi.

“NIU holds a special place in my heart,” he said. “Students have the chance to join organizations that become their second family, fostering an environment of support and encouragement. [NIU] prioritizes

Jaylan Peebles, ’23, realizes his leadership potential.

education, personal growth and most importantly, embracing one’s true self. I couldn’t have chosen a better college to attend.”

Peebles went on to major in Operations Management and Information Systems (OM&IS). However, while math had always come easily to him, struggling with entry-level OM&IS concepts prompted Peebles to learn more about the field, reaching out to Associate Director and Program Advisor Russ Devereaux for guidance. Deveraux took the time to mentor Peebles and reassured him that an OM&IS career would be a good fit.

Through Peebles’ fraternity and his support system within the College of Business, he learned of The Greenwood Project, a nonprofit organization that provides minority students with finance industry opportunities, founded by NIU alumna Elois SprollsJoseph, who completed the NIU Executive MBA degree format in 2015. He went on to intern with this program in 2021 before winning an internship with finance services company Société Générale in New York City. When Peebles completed his degree in May 2023, he was

offered a full-time role with Société Générale as a global banking analyst, which he started in the summer. He made a move to New Jersey and began working out of the company’s Manhattan office.

“In this role, I focus on process improvement, quantifying benefits in terms of operational risk, efficiency, cost and client satisfaction,” he said. “In my new position, I am most looking forward to building personal relationships with clients and offering them unique solutions to various situations.”

Peebles noted that the most fulfilling aspect of his newfound career is the opportunity to explore not only his field but other areas, as well. He is proud that he pursued a professional path and dared to dream outside of his comfort zone.

Now, at the age of 23, his hard work has begun to pay off.

“Société Générale encourages curiosity and allows me to ask questions until I have a thorough understanding,” he said. “Every day brings new learning experiences and the chance to acquire new skills that I can implement in my daily procedures. ” ■

“In my new position, I am most looking forward to building personal relationships with clients and offering them unique solutions to various situations.”

— Jaylan Peebles

Inspiration in the Classroom

Lily Wetzel, who earned her business administration degree with a minor in marketing and philosophy in May 2023, didn’t always have a good sense of where she was headed. However, that changed the first time she stepped into a finance lecture hall.

Growing up in suburban St. Charles, Illinois, Wetzel was a curious free spirit who dabbled in arts and sciences and enjoyed learning about all of it.

“This is kind of a funny story,” she said with a laugh. “When I started my journey through higher education I had absolutely no vision. I registered for anything remotely interesting, from psychology to geology, and I was doing rounds across campus. I was undecided for a long time. The only interest I had sustained was philosophy, so at first, I was a declared philosophy major.”

Eventually, Wetzel ran out of new courses to try, and a scuba diving class she wanted to take had already filled its last seat, so she decided to take an accounting class on a whim.

“I was just curious. My then-advisor told me that, in order to take an accounting class at NIU, you must be a declared business major. I asked what the broadest major in business was, and from there on, I was majoring in business administration,” she said.

Soon, Wetzel was seated in her very first finance class, and everything changed.

“I remember sitting down in the Barsema lecture hall, content with this newfound direction I had for my education. I walked into that room smiling and walked out an hour and 45 minutes later feeling sickly.

For Lily Wetzel, ’23, curiousity led to accounting.

I had never misunderstood so much in a class before. I realized that I had been expecting excellence by doing the bare minimum — if that. Finance shifted my perspective on education, and I fell in love with consciously learning.”

That semester, Wetzel decided to double-major in business administration and finance, and she will complete her B.S. degree in finance in December 2023. After deciding to become a finance major at NIU, Wetzel learned about the program’s incredible reputation and everything started to take off. She took a course that allowed her to help manage real funds through the Student Managed Portfolio, she participated in the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute Research Challenge competitions and she became president of the Finance Student Advisory Board.

Wetzel also credits the college’s Experiential Learning Center (ELC) projects for helping her learn important skills that made her marketable. She was placed in a group that was charged with bringing Glen Ellyn, Illinois-based Chocolaterie Stam to the next level.

“I was a communication liaison speaking on behalf of the group to our client. A segment that I focused heavily on was search engine optimization,” Wetzel said. “We created a wire frame for the website, a gelato cart schedule and even color research on the best fit colors for the business to use in advertising.”

Wetzel notes that the experience helped her to learn how to work in a group in a professional setting, to problem-solve and to troubleshoot relationships while handling a concentrated workload.

And the practical experiences kept coming. When one of her ELC mentors, instructor Michele Kaczka, recommended her for an internship at Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association (KSRA) in DeKalb, Wetzel was excited about the company’s mission.

“KSRA supports a great cause, enriching the lives of people with disabilities through goal-driven, diverse recreational opportunities. I like contributing to the KSRA message and promoting the fundraising branch,” she said.

Wetzel was such an excellent fit at KSRA that the position turned into a full-time job after her May 2023 graduation.

“In my role, I do a bit of everything that I went to school for. I get to do digital marketing projects, analytics and I continue to learn every day,” she said.

While Wetzel works at KSRA, she is finishing her undergraduate finance courses and will then pursue her master’s degree in finance at NIU, with an expected graduation date of May 2024.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my education while working,” she said. “The flexibility is amazing and I have a lot of freedom to schedule my day. I like how I can work both remotely and in person.”

While Wetzel looks forward to earning her graduate degree, she is in no hurry to leave the college.

“Above all else, I am surrounded by amazing people in the Finance Department, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she said. “The people at NIU make NIU.” ■

“Above all else, I am surrounded by amazing people in the Finance Department, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The people at NIU make NIU.”

— Lily Wetzel

As a new graduate, Chloe Laws, ’22, is working her dream job as a recruiter for grocery store giant ALDI.

“What I find most fulfilling in my current role is being able to help others find a place and a career where they feel happy and confident,” she said. “I also enjoy working with the interns at our company, as adjusting into the corporate setting can be a bit challenging and different than what most interns are used to.”

If you ask Laws, NIU played a huge role in how she landed her job.

“My academic advisor, Steph Horgan, introduced me to a fellow student and member of NIU’s Society of Human Resource Management, Vern Jenson. Vern spoke to me a lot about her internship at ALDI and how great it was, so when it came down to applying for an internship, ALDI was my first choice,” she said.

Laws ended up working as an HR intern at ALDI and was offered an intern continuation while she finished her last semester at NIU.

“I felt so lucky that I had an offer waiting for me once I graduated,” she said, noting that she now focuses on recruiting and developing the very internship program that has shaped her career.

Laws was raised in the small town of Hinckley, just 15 miles from NIU’s DeKalb campus. She was an outgoing child and always wanted to try something new. She even dreamed of being a dolphin trainer and began her education as a biology major at Waubonsee Community College.

“As I grew up, I realized working with people would be much more interesting than dolphins,” she said. After a short time of considering a career in radiation therapy, Laws decided to pursue a business career

Recruited to Recruit

Internship leads to full-time ALDI job for Chloe Laws, ’22.

because of the “endless possibilities” for a career in the future.

“I still knew I wanted a career where I would be able to work closely with others,” she said. “I chose NIU for numerous reasons, but there are two that stand out: My mom went to NIU for her degree and had such a wonderful experience. Also, when deciding to change my focus to business, it was important for me to find a college with a well-known, highly respected business program.”

Once on campus, Laws was intrigued by the world of HR management.

“I began at NIU studying business administration, and when it came down to picking a minor with my academic advisor, I was unsure. But there had been one class during this time that I found to be so interesting and enjoyable — my Introduction to HR class. After speaking with my academic advisor and my professor for the course, ultimately, I decided to make a switch to human resource management.”

That decision has led Laws down a successful career path just months after earning her degree.

“What I find most special about NIU is the experience you are awarded in a classroom setting,” she said. “I would say the average class size throughout my time at NIU was around 25 people, and when it came to classes regarding my major, there were around 15 students. This really allowed me to have a close relationship with my professors and classmates, which heavily increased my experience and how much I was able to learn.

“NIU has also allowed me to build such great connections that have helped guide me to my career in human resource management and, ultimately, my role as a recruiter with ALDI.” ■

The Halo Effect

In the digital age of disruption, graduates need to have more than a job offer to launch their careers successfully; they need the right mindset and market-demanded skills to be effective in ever-evolving roles.

Thanks to the College of Business’ partnership with growing fintech firm Halo Investing, students in the Master of Science in Finance program will soon take part in a pilot program best characterized as a “co-op for the digital age.” In a year’s time, while earning their M.S. degree in finance, they will have the exceptional opportunity to complete a six-month paid internship with Halo, with the potential for full-time employment when they graduate.

“This partnership exemplifies the college’s commitment to strengthen the culture of innovation,” said Interim Dean Denise Schoenbachler. “While students will have an edge by working for a top fintech firm, NIU faculty will also benefit from engaging with industry that will likely result in curricular innovation and, possibly, research ideas.”

Halo’s cofounder, Jason Barsema, ’07, started with the goal of creating a company that prioritized impact over profit. As part of its mission, Halo gives financial advisors access to solutions that used to be exclusive to the ultrawealthy. By creating an all-in-one platform for building protective investment solutions, Halo’s award-winning products give clients a new way to find and manage outcome-based investments including structured notes, buffered ETFs, annuities and other niche investment vehicles.

“Through Halo, we want to provide NIU students a great education and a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity with one of the Top 10 fintech companies in the United States,” he said. “They will be able to learn from some of the best in the industry.”

While Barsema’s vision may be radical and innovative, his belief in NIU students’ potential has a long history. His parents are distinguished donors in the university with two campus buildings bearing his last name. His family’s faith in Huskie grit and core values continue to

“Through Halo, we want to provide NIU students a great education and a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity with one of the Top 10 fintech companies in the United States. They will be able to learn from some of the best in the industry.”

— Jason Barsema

shine brightly in the next generation of Barsemas.

Barsema first began working with NIU’s Hiring Huskies program in 2016 after cofounding Halo. Over the years, he began working with Department of Finance Chair Gina Nicolosi to handpick students who aspire to work in fintech or related areas. In the past few years, several Huskie graduates became full-time Halo employees after successful internship experiences.

“NIU’s College of Business has a long-standing tradition of integrating workplace skills and scenarios into the Barsema classrooms,” Nicolosi said. “We believe that this enhanced version of the standard internship model is a fantastic way to highlight this commitment and to provide our students with the skills and experience they need to be successful in the workforce.”

Nicolosi has seen firsthand what this partnership and program has meant to master’s degree program students.

“This partnership will create a co-op model in which NIU finance students can hone in-demand fintech skills while Halo Investing can essentially conduct an extended interview, thus improving hiring efficiency,” she said. “For NIU students, this program will provide the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the fintech industry.”

For Halo Investing, this program provides the

opportunity to identify and hire top talent. They can get to know and observe students over the course of six months, allowing them to make more informed hiring decisions and ensure that they hire the best possible candidates.

In addition to the internship, the Halo track with the M.S. degree in finance program allows students to take an accelerated course in Python programming, a high-level, general-use programming language used for financial analysis. They will also gain experience through the Student Managed Portfolio class, which allows students to oversees donor funds for profit, and they will be part of several other hands-on courses.

The college’s partnership with Halo directly aligns with the College of Business’s strategic priorities of furthering its students’ applied experiential education and internship experiences. The result has been phenomenal. Just ask the students who have realized their dreams through working for Halo.

Sean Gerent, ’18, is a proud graduate of the College of Business and remembers his time on campus as an exceptional experience.

“The building and resources were top-tier, and the student community and professors were world-class,” Gerent said. “NIU played a crucial role in preparing me for the interview process with Halo Investing, equipping

NIU’s College of Business partners with Halo to build a ‘digital age co-op model.’

me with the skills and mindset to excel in a fast-paced startup environment.”

He added that the education he received at NIU provided him with the knowledge and tools needed to tackle complex challenges in a dynamic industry like finance, thanks to the world-class professors who helped him develop a deep understanding of financial markets and investment strategies.

“My experiences and skills prepared me when the opportunity to interview at Halo Investing arose,” he said. “(The team at Halo was) welcoming but incredibly bold and driven, fearless in approaching any problems and always looking forward.”

Gerent was thrilled to become the ninth employee of Halo in May 2018 as an operations analyst. He became product manager in 2019 and has since been promoted to senior product manager, leading the execution domain for the Halo platform and helping to ensure a seamless user experience.

“At Halo, we push the limits daily and foster an amazing work culture that promotes ownership and entrepreneurial spirit, allowing you to create a true impact,” he said. “Every day, we work toward our common goal of creating a world-class tech platform that not only empowers investors but also helps to protect the world’s investments.”

Derrick Lippner, ’22, is Halo’s newest hire from summer 2022, and his experience has been one of seamless, hands-on learning.

“My internship experience at Halo filled in the missing pieces, solidifying my preference for a career in the fintech industry,” he said. “Halo has a big entrepreneurial feel to it, and I enjoy the opportunity of playing a role in shaping the future of finance. I believe taking the Halo track has been a valuable kick-start to my career.” ■

Left to right: Derrick Lippner, Jason Barsema and Sean Gerent

Taking Care of Business

MBA students see real-time boost to skills and careers.

In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, professionals seek the magic bullet that will set them apart from their peers.

At NIU, MBA students see the transformative impact of their courses and experiences in real-time. Often, the skills they learn are put into practice the next day at work. And the promotions and career moves that alluded them before are finally at their fingertips.

The MBA program at NIU proved to be a game-changer for Harikrishna. Through a rigorous curriculum, he gained invaluable insights into essential areas of business, equipping him with the knowledge to make informed decisions and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.

“The international trip to South Africa and Dubai provided me with a broader perspective on how businesses operate outside the U.S. and the resources available in foreign countries,” Harikrishna explains. “It expanded my understanding of global business practices.”

Networking played a crucial role in Harikrishna’s MBA journey. “One of my classmates became a client during and after the MBA program,” he said, noting that the connections forged during the program have been instrumental in his entrepreneurial success. The collaborative and supportive environment within the

NIU’s College of Business offers a highly regarded MBA program that equips students with the necessary tools to thrive in the dynamic world of business, shaping the success stories of thousands of professionals like Vijay Harikrishna, MBA ’18, and George Strom, MBA ’23, who both went through the NIU Executive MBA format.

•••

Harikrishna, who is an electrical and computer engineer by profession, founded custom software developer Vélan Solutions in 2011 after years of working as an independent consultant. Recognizing the need to develop a solid foundation in business, Harikrishna made the decision to enroll in NIU’s Executive MBA program in 2016. His goal was to gain a comprehensive understanding of various business functions and refine his capabilities to effectively manage his own firm.

“The MBA program helped me gain insights into marketing, accounting, finance, economics and general leadership, which proved valuable in running my own business,” said Harikrishna. “I wanted to acquire skills that would help me sustain my business in the long term.”

“The MBA program helped me gain insights into marketing, accounting, finance, economics and general leadership, which proved valuable in running my own business.”

— Vijay Harikrishna, MBA ’18

Vijay Harikrishna

MBA program facilitated his growth as an entrepreneur and positioned him for success.

•••

George Strom grew up learning about the waste industry.

“My family had a garbage company for the past 75 years, and it was acquired by LRS, one of the largest independent waste recycling providers in the U.S., about three years ago,” Strom shares. Recognizing the need to expand his thinking and problem-solving skills, Strom embraced the opportunity to join the MBA program at NIU.

The MBA program at NIU proved instrumental in facilitating Strom’s transition from a smaller family business to a larger corporation.

“School helps to get you to be a much more dynamic thinker and look at problems that you may not have been exposed to in a smaller business,” he explained.

The curriculum exposed Strom to a diverse range of business scenarios and challenges.

“I think the biggest things were the cultural, behavioral leadership change classes that were super impactful,” he said. “By doing this program, I was able to bring many of the case studies that focused on human behavior to help to improve the culture of the organization. In one class, we focused briefly on the importance of mental health for yourself and your

organization. After graduation, I met with our senior leadership team, and we were able to roll out a mental health initiative that improved company culture, safety and turnover.”

Apart from the academic aspects, the NIU MBA program provided Strom with valuable international exposure. A trip to Singapore and Thailand with his MBA classmates proved to be a transformative experience. Visits to businesses and organizations focusing on artificial intelligence and green energy expanded his knowledge and provided inspiration for his own organization.

Looking back, both Strom and Harikrishna agree the NIU MBA program changed their lives in drastic and positive ways.

“The NIU Executive MBA program allowed me to feel much more confident in my effectiveness as a leader of

a large organization,” Strom said. “It helped me develop a better outlook on any challenge within my life, both personally and professionally. This program, while very challenging, helps you understand that if you focus on a project, and give it the time and resources, you can accomplish anything.”

“The MBA gave me a comprehensive view of the basic but essential components of setting up and sustaining a business,” Harikrishna said. “My goal was to learn the processes and gain the skills needed to have my own company, and I feel confident that the program provided me that. Additionally, all the connections and the support system that came with the experience is priceless and enduring.”

These Huskies would recommend the NIU MBA program to up-and-coming and established professionals and entrepreneurs who are looking for a way to take their careers to the next level.

“NIU’s program is a smaller environment that teaches you how to work collectively with other professionals,” Strom said. “You are able to significantly increase your networking skills and ensure that, whatever you would like to do with your career, you now have the contacts to make it happen.” ■

George Strom

The MBA program at NIU proved instrumental in facilitating Strom’s transition from a smaller family business to a larger corporation.

Tricks of the Trade

NIU College of Business launches Jamrok Options Trading Program

Inspired and supported by its namesake donor, the Jeffrey B. Jamrok Options Trading Program launched in the NIU College of Business in spring 2023.

A practicum-based class, it allows students to gain hands-on experience in options trading with real money while honing their technical skills in coding and data visualization.

Jamrok, who earned his degree from NIU in 2008, conceptualized the program after visiting the university in fall 2021. After speaking to students in the Student Managed Portfolio class and on the Finance Student Advisory Board, Jamrok was inspired to donate to create a fund and class that focused on how he has seen his investments grow through options trading.

“Over the years, I recognized that learning from real trading is the best way to develop an understanding of the concepts,” Jamrok said. “Frequently, there is a huge gap in learning a concept and fully understanding how to apply it in a real setting. When I spoke to students, I realized that they had great interest in options but didn’t have an opportunity to do real trading.”

NIU Finance Professor Gina Nicolosi, who leads the new program, designed it from the ground up to make it distinctive. With the higher level of risk associated with options trading, Professor Nicolosi had to design the course parameters to limit exposure. This resulted in a model that makes it possible for students to trade once a week with a maximum one-week holding period.

This program is project-based and modeled as learning by doing. To enhance students’ technical skills, the program embeds coding and data visualization using Python and Power BI.

The program launched this semester with a mix of selected graduate students and undergraduate seniors. In the first five weeks, the students completed an accelerated course in options, passed a knowledge check, set up their operation environment and began constructing their base scripts. Each week, a new options strategy is introduced on Wednesday, and traders have five days to construct their pitches which are then delivered to the team on Monday. Trades occur after the pitches are made and voted on.

Nicolosi is excited about the launch and looking ahead to new possibilities.

“As we continue to expand the footprint of experiential learning in the College of Business, our Department of Finance is excited to lead the way in creating more courses that are modeled significantly around active learning. The impact of such learning is evident in the success of our students and graduates. Exemplifying the success, our CFA Research Challenge team was crowned the global champion in 2022.”

While the transaction dollar amounts are deliberately small to minimize risk, the class’s first trade earned a 69% return. Most importantly, the process of analysis and decision-making provided valuable learning for students in the course.

Jamrok is excited about the launch and sees it as only the beginning of great things to come. The program also symbolizes the culture of innovation in the College of Business.

Jamrok said, “This is just one more experience that will differentiate the NIU College of Business from other schools in the years to come. I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of that progress.”

Want to learn more about the Jamrok Options Trading Program? Contact Professor Gina Nicolosi at gnicolos@niu.edu. ■

Jeffrey B. Jamrok

Professor Gina Nicolosi

Been There, Done That

Certainly, the College of Business is proud to offer business curricula that is built around practical, hands-on experience that students will take with them postgraduation. However, students cannot be in all places, experiencing all things, so it is important to bring in experts whose business experiences can help impart knowledge that comes straight from the source.

In this way, volunteers like Sue Hagberg, Ken Greisman and Ryan Weidner make a significant impact on the college and its programs. Through collaborations with faculty, staff and fellow alumni, they contribute to the growth and development of students and the community.

Gordon and Sue Hagberg

Finance alumnus Gordon Hagberg, ’83, and his wife Sue were inspired to share their business journey after learning about NIU’s entrepreneurship program. The couple owns and has operated two environmental services companies over the last 25 years — Wild Goose Chase, which helps commercial, industrial and agricultural properties mitigate the public health and economic impacts associated with pest birds, and Canine Detection & Inspection Services, which helps commercial and residential properties mitigate the public health and economic impacts associated with bedbug infestations.

“I structure my seniorlevel entrepreneurship course with guest speakers who talk about different phases of a new entrepreneurial venture, such as the idea phase, the funding phase, the growth phase and the exit phase,” said Assistant Professor Tim Michaelis, who teaches in the Department of Management.

“The Hagbergs have been guest lecturers for my class multiple times since starting at NIU in 2019 and are always fantastic. They are able to talk about how to recognize new market opportunities with respect to leveraging new technologies to increase revenue, how

Volunteers share real-world experiences in NIU classrooms.

Sue Hagberg

Gordon Hagberg

to diversify revenue and also how to plan for exiting the venture. Gordon and Sue coteach and provide very clear examples of how an entrepreneur must navigate uncertainty and react quickly to changing markets and changing customer demands.”

“We thought it would be a great opportunity to share our knowledge and business journey with the senior students,” Sue Hagberg said. She participates as a judge in the high school entrepreneurship program and the college’s Business Olympics program. “Sharing one’s business journey, listening to others and providing different vantage points helps students analyze where you have been and where you want to go.”

Ken Greisman

Similarly, Ken Greisman, who earned his economics degree from NIU in 1982, found his passion for supporting the College of Business through his background in business and investment.

“With my work experience in big businesses and as an investor in startups, I gravitated toward volunteering to help the college,” he said, adding that he provides feedback for mock job interviews and acts as a guest speaker and lecturer.

“I hope students gained useful insights from hearing how my investment group evaluates investment opportunities in early stage businesses,” he said.

One of Greisman’s favorite volunteer activities for the college has been providing feedback to students about their answers to mock interview questions.

“Volunteers like me review recorded video responses and provide feedback in writing through a web portal, and some students reach out afterward to request a live discussion. In one case, the student’s answers were particularly far ‘off the mark’ and would not likely have helped her to secure employment. In our live discussion via Zoom, I could see the learning process unfold before my eyes, especially as I suggested alternative ways for her to answer the questions. I could see immediately that I was helping in a very tangible way,” Greisman said.

Ryan Weidner

Fellow alumnus Ryan Weidner, who earned his finance degree in 1998 and his MBA in 2012, is the cofounder and co-owner of Pollyanna Brewery. Weidner regularly engages with College of Business students through mock interviews, sales pitches, panel discussions, podcasts and case studies.

Weidner’s involvement in the Professional Sales Program not only provides employment opportunities for NIU graduates but also allows him to share his entrepreneurial journey.

Weidner’s time talking with entrepreneurship classes has shed a light on a previously undiscovered passion.

“While I’ve never been a teacher, I really do enjoy teaching and sharing my experiences, and NIU has provided me that outlet,” Weidner said. “NIU has been part of my life for nearly 30 years, and I enjoy sharing my experiences with like-minded folks with similar backgrounds and interests that I have.”

Beyond their impact on students and the community, these volunteers experience personal and professional benefits through their involvement. Greisman finds personal fulfillment in giving back, while Sue Hagberg reflects on her business journey and expands her network through engagement with the College of Business.

“My involvement has not only provided me with a vast network of talented alumni to tap into but has also provided me with some valuable insights for the brewery,” he said.

“In sharing our work experiences over the years, we hope to influence (entrepreneurs) to make the necessary decisions for their businesses to be successful. We want them to learn from their failures and think outside the box,” Sue Hagberg said. “I believe we have an obligation to invest in the future.”

“You might be surprised by how much you personally benefit from helping your alma mater,” Greisman said.

While these volunteers certainly have a positive impact on students, the College of Business can always use more interaction with alumni and friends of the university. If you have business expertise and would like to make a difference in the lives of students, consider reaching out to Eva Richards, evarichards@niu.edu. ■

Ryan Weidner

Ken Greisman

Rising Gift Annuity Rates Increase Your Income and Sustain NIU’s Future

Today’s charitable gift annuity (CGA) rates are the highest they have been in more than a decade. As market swings cause speculation amongst investors for an impending downturn, now is the time to create an annuity and save taxes. The CGA provides regular, fixed payments to create an income stream that will never change — regardless of what happens in the markets.

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An A-Ha Moment

It has been said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. This is exactly what Huskies did in April when aspiring entrepreneurs from across campus came together for the inaugural De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition.

Seventeen students shared their business ideas in the new De La Vega Innovation Lab, with each team giving five-minute pitches for ideas that included a clothing brand, a meal kit service and a hair care app, among others. Students summarized their business models with up to an additional five minutes of questions from the competition’s judges — Vic Pellicano, founder of Verenia and angel investor; Sam Guerrero, director of NIU’s Advancement for Institutional and Regional Initiatives; and Steve Byers, owner of Byers Brewing Company.

Becca Husar, associate director of Innovation and Partnership Development, said the competition experience is designed to allow students to better understand the business-development process.

“Giving students an experiential learning opportunity like the De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition offers them a taste of a high-stakes, real-world scenario,” she said. “The students who participated in the pitch competition had to develop and refine their unique business idea, flesh out the feasibility of that idea and present the business idea to a panel of judges and guests for a chance to win seed funding.”

Students who participated gained confidence in selling themselves and their ideas that can only be found through practice. This confidence is often the foundation for being courageous and innovative members of our global society.

Shazor Khan, a senior finance major, took home the $1,000 grand prize when he won first place for his business — EASY, a software platform that allows businesses to manage and scale their advertising, sales channels and fulfillment from one platform. The platform’s target market is small- to medium-sized companies that are selling physical products.

“The best part of the experience for me was meeting

other entrepreneurs,” Khan said. “I heard and met many different people with many different ideas, and being able to talk to some individuals and see their business ideas was very inspiring. It also allowed me to make connections I can possibly rely on in the future.”

Second-place winner Jada Juice, led by sophomore management major Jada Samuels, is a natural smoothie company dedicated to addressing food insecurity issues in minority communities.

“My mission is to provide health-conscious consumers with a variety of delicious smoothies that offer specific health benefits, including high blood pressure support and collagen health,” Samuels said. “In addition, I aim to promote a healthy lifestyle through education and awareness.”

A clothing line for construction workers that relies on humorous branding to increase work morale won the third-place spot. On The Site, led by senior management majors Jayson Lippe, Ryan Prier and Vince Terracciano, wants its clothing to foster laughter and start conversations.

“On The Site got involved with this competition through Becca Husar and Furkan Gur, an associate professor of entrepreneurship,” said Terracciano. “They both inspired On The Site to compete in the competition because they saw the potential we as students had and as a business.

Students share ideas at De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition.

Shazor Khan, a senior finance major, won the grand prize at the competition.

Terracciano noted that his favorite part of the competition was his team’s pitch.

“It felt so natural. Yes, we planned and rehearsed, but the actual day made it feel like we were meant for this. I could not take the smile off my face,” he said.

Husar noted that the college intends to engage students of all disciplines in the De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition and other entrepreneurship programming that are offered in the De La Vega Innovation Lab.

“There is no major, career or person that can’t benefit from gaining an entrepreneurial mindset, or in other words, a mindset that is creative, curious, resilient, strategic and resourceful,” Husar said. “By offering a pitch competition that brings together students of different disciplines, we are creating a space that fosters creativity, collaboration, innovation and empathy.”

Students’ enthusiasm was palpable at the event, and the competition attracted a diverse cross-section of Huskies who were able to share their ideas. In total, 41% of the business founders were women and 65% of participants were people of color. Many departments were represented from the College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the College of Health and Human Sciences.

“At its core, a business succeeds by solving a problem,” Husar said. “By bringing together a diverse group of students to pitch their business ideas, we elicit empathy by learning about problems and solutions outside of one’s own experiences.”

Husar encourages all students who are interested in entrepreneurship or innovation to drop into the

De La Vega Innovation Lab during its open lab hours. Additionally, students can attend free workshops that will help them develop an entrepreneurial mindset and build new technical skills, such as prototyping with the lab’s 3D printer, social media marketing, empathy as a tool for innovation, establishing an LLC and more.

“If a student has an idea for an event, workshop, guest speaker or resource that they would like to see in the De La Vega Innovation Lab, they are welcome to email me,” Husar (beccahusar@niu.edu) said. “We are here to help the student body at-large gain the confidence and resources they need to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and we welcome ideas and feedback from the students who we aim to support.”

Ralph de la Vega, ’89, principal investor in the lab, has found joy in seeing the collaboration and innovation that has come out of his vision for the space.

“The most impressive factor about the students in the competition is their amazing ability to think outside the box and see the possibilities that are possible with innovation and hard work,” de la Vega said. “The key characteristic that puts Huskies ahead of the competition is the belief that no one can put limits on what a Huskie can achieve. The Innovation Lab provides an environment that fosters creativity and innovation. When you combine that environment with NIU’s culture of diversity and inclusion, ideas flourish that will make our world a better place.” ■

“The most impressive factor about the students in the competition is their amazing ability to think outside the box and see the possibilities that are possible with innovation and hard work.”

— Ralph de la Vega

Judges and students pose for a photo at the De La Vega Innovation Pitch Competition. Left to right: Shazor Khan, Jada Samuels, Vic Pellicano, Steve Byers, Sam Guerrero, JJ Lippe, Vince Terracciano and Ryan Prier

The Definition of Success

2023 College of Business Awards showcase innovators, business and community leaders.

It has been said that success is best when it is shared, and that is exactly what College of Business alumni, donors, faculty and staff will do this October when they gather to recognize and celebrate the 2023 College of Business Alumni Award recipients.

Held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois, the college’s award ceremony will pay tribute to six extraordinary individuals who got their starts at NIU and went on to do incredible things in business and industry.

Joan Bottarini — 2023 Distinguished Alumna Award, Accountancy, ’93

Joan Bottarini serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. She is responsible for helping to develop and lead Hyatt’s transformation, uniquely positioning the organization for optimal long-term performance and stakeholder value creation.

Bottarini has held many executive roles for Hyatt in her 22 years with the company. Since November 2018, she has led Hyatt’s global finance function including financial reporting, planning, treasury, tax, investor relations, internal audit, asset management and procurement. She proudly serves as the executive sponsor of the Hyatt HyPride Diversity Business Resource Group.

Prior to joining Hyatt, Bottarini served as the controller of development finance at Essex Property Trust, a real estate investment trust in Palo Alto, California (NYSE:ESS). Before working with Essex, Bottarini was an assurance manager at KPMG LLP in Chicago and San Francisco.

Bottarini supports NIU by serving as the co-chair for the Dean’s Board of Executive Advisors. She is also the co-chair of the No Room for Trafficking Council as part of the American Hotel and Lodging Association Foundation. Bottarini is an active advisory board member of Salt and Light Coalition in Chicago, which is a nonprofit organization that offers workforce development programs to help empower survivors of trauma to thrive.

Zoya Khan — 2023 Young Alumna Award, Operations Management and Information Systems, ’18

Zoya Khan earned her B.S. degree in operations

management and information systems (OM&IS) from NIU in 2018, with a minor in professional communication. While a student at Northern Illinois University, she seized important campus opportunities, including being a part of the Experiential Learning Center student team that served as consultants for AMITA Health.

After graduation, Khan was hired as an operations manager at the Target Distribution Center in DeKalb, Illinois. She serves as a DEI leader at Target where she is responsible for promoting a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, which includes developing and implementing training programs, hosting events, women’s leadership panels and other activities where leaders from diverse backgrounds share their experiences. After two years at Target, Khan was promoted to her current role as production controller, where she is responsible for ensuring that production runs efficiently, empowering leaders and being the driver of solutions when problems arise. She describes herself as a “team builder, problemsolver, and culture caretaker.” She is most passionate about her work with advocating for young women in business and acts as a peer mentor for students at Elmhurst University.

Armed with her newfound experiences, she has supported the Huskie community by serving as a guest speaker in the Process and Quality Improvement OM&IS class to share valuable insights on career opportunities, share personal stories and explain how the distribution process works at Target. She has remained consistently engaged in the department as an alumna.

Khan earned her MBA from Elmhurst University in 2022, with an emphasis in supply chain management. While in the MBA program, Khan presented an outstanding TEDxTalk, which further highlights her strong passion for public speaking and communication skills.

Joan Bottarini

Zoya Khan

Jeff Jamrok — 2023 Student Engagement Award, Sociology, ’08

A lifelong learner, Jeff Jamrok is someone who never stops looking for ways he can help others, as the namesake donor of the Jeffrey B. Jamrok Options Trading Program. Launched in the NIU College of Business in 2022, Jamrok has been instrumental in implementing this practicum-based class. This course allows students to gain hands-on experience in options trading with real money while honing their technical skills in coding and data visualization.

Jamrok, who earned his degree from NIU in 2008 in sociology and is currently pursuing his MBA at NIU, conceptualized the program after visiting the university in fall 2021. After speaking to students in the Student Managed Portfolio class and on the Finance Student Advisory Board, Jamrok was inspired to donate to create a fund and class that focused on how he has seen his investments grow through options trading.

“Over the years, I recognized that learning from real trading is the best way to develop an understanding of the concepts,” Jamrok said. “Frequently, there is a huge gap in learning a concept and fully understanding how to apply it in a real setting. When I spoke to students, I realized that they had great interest in options but didn’t have an opportunity to do real trading.”

Jamrok is an EMT and has earned his professional designation as a registered public safety leader. He serves as the communications manager for the University of Illinois Chicago Police Department where he oversees emergency communication and information systems infrastructure. He works as the emergency management coordinator for Northeastern Illinois University. Jamrok is instrumental in developing, training and implementing critical emergency response plans in both roles to provide a successful outcome.

Jamrok is passionate about helping and serving others. He is an appointed member of the regional Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA) Committee, which assists first responders in effectively handling mental health crisis emergencies.

Jim Planey — 2023 Social Impact Award, Marketing, ’68

Jim Planey’s singular and persistent entrepreneurial vision for his real estate brokerage career led him to overcome obstacles and succeed in a 50-year career in the field. After achieving so much, he turned his attention to giving back to others, with NIU holding a special place in his heart.

After graduating from high school in 1964, Planey was

not admitted to NIU on his first try. Not deterred from his path, he enrolled at the Loop Junior College, which is now known as the Harold Washington College, in Chicago. After two years there, he transferred to NIU as a junior and began as a marketing major. Earning his B.S. degree in 1968, Planey was then drafted into the U.S. Army, serving from 1969 to 1970.

When he returned from duty, Planey began working as an industrial real estate broker. In 2002, he and nine other brokers founded Lee & Associates of Illinois, at which he formerly served as office president.

Since 1982, Planey and his wife Rita have overseen the Outstanding Future Alumni annual scholarship awarded within NIU’s Department of Marketing. Throughout the scholarship’s 41 years, the Planeys have helped dozens of marketing students, with an emphasis on those who need to work to pay their own way through college.

“I was the first in my family to go to college. I just felt I was so lucky to go to college, and I wanted more kids to have a chance to go who perhaps don’t think they can go,” he said. “What I was trying to do is tell the kids in the marketing department that they should be good alumni and give back some day to students. I wanted the students to think a little bit about how they can be donors in the future.”

Planey is proud to have been awarded the NIU Alumni Association’s Young Alumni College of Business award in 1988 and, later, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Business in 1996. He is also a member of NIU’s Dean’s Circle. Planey has also been a trustee of the Union League Boys and Girls Clubs since 1986. There, he has established a scholarship program that supports boys and girls who are transfer students or freshmen who are enrolling at NIU.

Hernando Francisco

Chica Zuccardi

— 2023 Global Alumnus Award, MBA, ’23

Hernando Francisco

Chica Zuccardi earned his undergraduate degree in finance and foreign trade from Sergio Arboleda University. He also recently completed his NIU MBA program in Bogota, Colombia.

Chica Zuccardi was born in Sincelejo, Colombia, and has climbed to roles in the banking field with increasingly more responsibility. Since September

Jeff Jamrok

Jim Planey

Hernando Francisco Chica Zuccardi

2022, he has worked as president of the Banco Agrario de Colombia where he is focused on promoting and developing bank branches in rural areas of Colombia.

“This is a very special and unique bank with a national footprint that supports the development and well-being of families in their rural area,” he said. “In this role, we are going where commercial banks don’t go and managing more than $8 billion in assets and 2 million clients. In my daily work, I enjoy being with people, working together, shoulder-to-shoulder, with a team and being in their regions in Colombia. I am always motivated by my family with a vocation of service to build a better country every day.”

Through his leadership, Banco Agrario has achieved impressive results in the last year. Having grown $1 billion in assets and representing nearly 200,000 more new families.

Before his most recent role, Chica Zuccardi worked as a commercial cooperative vice president at Ultrabusatiles S.A. and as a manager of banks like Bancolombia and Helm Bank. In his earlier career, Chica Zuccardi was trust president and financial vice president of La Previsora Company, and at the Bogota, Colombia, telecommunications company ETB. There, he oversaw human resources and the international bond emission process for stock markets in Los Angeles, New York and London, with transactions that totaled approximately $300 million.

He also held roles in multinational corporations such as CFO and chief country officer at International Game Technology for Colombia, which is headquartered in Nevada.

Currently, Chica Ziccardi is also working as a university professor at Sergio Arboleda University, sharing his knowledge in corporate finance and financial projects.

Mike DeGiorgio — 2023 Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, Marketing, ’10

When Mike DeGiorgio enrolled in NIU’s College of Business as a marketing major with an emphasis on professional sales, it was the first time he started to

2022 Award Winners

think about his future career and his drive to succeed as an entrepreneur.

After earning his degree in marketing from NIU in 2010, DeGiorgio went on to work for Auction.com in business development and eventually was promoted to vice president.

In 2015, he founded Commercial Real Estate Exchange Inc. (Crexi), a platform developed to advance the $19 trillion commercial real estate industry by supplying users with innovative technology to simplify and expedite the transaction process. With Crexi, industry professionals have access to the ultimate CRE toolset, which will forever change the way commercial properties are marketed, sold and leased.

“The highlight of my career has been starting and growing Crexi,” DeGiorgio said. “We’ve evolved so much, and we still have so far to go. Our team is the best in the business, and I’m proud of the work they are creating every day. We started Crexi in a small house in Venice, California, and today we have over 350 employees and offices across the U.S. We’re just getting started.”

In his work, DeGiorgio aims to bring transparency to the commercial real estate industry. Crexi is creating a single-source hub for stakeholders to market, analyze, trade and lease commercial property, revolutionizing how commercial real estate professionals succeed by accelerating deal velocity and democratizing access to both properties and industry data.

“Empowering and advancing our industry and using technology to help people and add value to their lives is at the very core of what I stand for,” he said, adding that he likes to work with and mentor other entrepreneurs who are starting their own companies. “I enjoy giving back to the startup community, and I’m passionate about helping others actualize the vision of their business.”

Seema Pajula — 2022 Distinguished Alumna, Accountancy, ’95

Jason Barsema — 2022 Honorary Alumnus, Economics, ’17

Oleg Grachev — 2022 Young Alumnus, Economics and Finance, ’17

Jeff Harvey — 2022 Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Operations Management, ’88

Elois Sprolls-Joseph — 2022 Social Impact, MBA, ’15

Terry Horan — 2022 Student Engagement, Marketing, ’86

Noripah Kamso — 2022 Global Alumna, Management, ’80

Mike DeGiorgio

How Sweet It Is!

HARIBO gift supports NIU College of Business.

Last fall, HARIBO, the original inventor of the gummi bear and the world’s leading manufacturer of gummi products, stepped up to sweeten the college experience for students in Northern Illinois University’s College of Business. A family-owned business with a century-long heritage, HARIBO’s founder, Hans Riegel, built the company on a foundation of quality and delivering moments of childlike happiness. HARIBO values supporting the communities in which they live and work, and the company announced its support for the college to support students, faculty and local businesses in a number of ways:

• HARIBO Scholars — The company will support students by funding five partial scholarships within the college each year for the next decade.

• Dean’s Strategic Fund — A significant portion of the gift will be devoted to this fund which helps cover a variety of needs including: professional development for faculty; sending students to competitions; helping to pay for student study abroad experiences; buying textbooks and computers for students in need; and enhancing alumni outreach.

• IGNITE! Program — Operated in conjunction with the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, HARIBO will support IGNITE!, which allows startups, local businesses and not-for-profit organizations to easily connect with and hire NIU College of Business students who gain valuable experience while assisting with professional tasks and projects.

• HARIBO Fellows — Funds from the gift will support outstanding faculty.

All these efforts ultimately assist in preparing NIU students for the challenges of the global economy, and

the gift will transform lives and have a profound impact on the college as we strengthen alumni relationships, support student needs and invest in strategic projects that will keep the college on the cutting edge.

In fact, the partnership with HARIBO is due in no small part to an NIU alumnus who has found success in the global marketplace. Wes Saber, who completed the NIU Executive MBA format in 2014, serves as chief financial officer for HARIBO. He was key in nurturing the relationship that ultimately brought the college and HARIBO together.

In recognition of the gift, the ground-floor atrium of the College of Business building, Barsema Hall, will now be known as HARIBO Commons. In a dedication ceremony in 2022, HARIBO Vice President of Human Resources Babatu Short explained that HARIBO has a long history of supporting education and community service, and partnering with NIU advances both of those goals.

“That commitment aligns beautifully with NIU, which produces world-class students who not only go on to serve their communities but also make an impact statewide, in the region and — based upon some of the amazing talent created by NIU — the world,” Babatu said. “We are very proud of this partnership, and we are honored to be here today.” ■

The ribbon-cutting ceremony of Haribo Commons in 2022

College of Business Launches the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology

In March 2023, the College of Business announced the launch of the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology (HCAT). This new lab, located on the third floor of Barsema Hall, represents the college’s commitment to experiential learning.

HCAT will have cutting-edge technologies and, through real-world projects in partnership with HAVI, prepares students for occupations of the future. The lab focuses on industry-relevant, hands-on learning experiences in five key areas: machine learning, blockchain, big data, internet of things and artificial intelligence.

engagement commitment to this project, recognizing the need for intellectual talent in the field of AI and analytics. HAVI’s values align with the NIU College of Business mission to nurture young minds to be leaders who transform the world.

The Operations and Management Information Systems (OM&IS) department in the College of Business plays a key role in bringing together talent across the college and campus to bring the vision of the lab to life.

“This initiative will be a game-changer for HAVI and our partners, not to mention NIU students and data analytics leaders of the future.”

“We are excited to partner with the NIU College of Business to launch the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology,” said Rodney Brown, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer at HAVI. “This initiative will be a game-changer for HAVI and our partners, not to mention NIU students and data analytics leaders of the future. Our success as an organization depends on attracting and retaining top talent, and HCAT will be an important part of our strategy to attract top Huskie talent to HAVI. Access to outstanding faculty researchers will also enable HAVI to stay at the forefront of solving difficult challenges in the areas of analytics and supply chain and provides access to the latest technology in this space.”

HAVI, a global leader in supply chain analytics solutions, has made a significant financial and

—

“In today’s competitive and fast-paced world, it is imperative that students not only learn how to analyze data but also understand the context of the situation. Both are needed to make data-driven decisions that can increase organizational efficiency, enhance the customer experience and improve the lives of people,” said Charles Petersen, chair of the Department of OM&IS. “The faculty, staff and students of the College of Business are excited about the possibilities of the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology, and we can’t wait to get started. Thank you, HAVI, for your generous donation and support!”

The College of Business is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the rapidly evolving field of data analytics. The establishment of the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology is a testament to this commitment and a significant step forward for the college. ■

Rendered drawings of the proposed HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology

Rodney Brown, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer at HAVI

Students Work With Lakeshore Recycling Systems

During the fall 2022 semester, students in the Experiential Learning Center had the opportunity to work with one of our College of Business’ most prolific partners — Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS), a waste and recycling management company servicing multiple municipalities in addition to the entirety of the Chicago Public School system. Alongside sponsorship of several ELC teams and Business in Action courses, LRS also developed the College of Business’ Undergraduate Student Success Center in 2022.

The ELC team was tasked with creating a training system for onboarding employees with an emphasis on career development and leadership skills. The team focused on developing metrics by which LRS could measure new hire satisfaction using questions about manager and trainer availability. The team met with LRS drivers and learned about how LRS managers use positive recognition to reward standout team members and incorporated positive recognition into their training plan.

“We looked at LRS from a 30,000-foot view and started to ask ourselves what was missing and what areas needed improvement. After seeking these areas, we divided the segments up as a group and did our

individual research,” said Carson Olofson, an ELC marketing student. “Leadership was a key area I believe our team excelled in. I felt supported by my teammates every step of the way.”

The team also developed a schedule by which LRS could implement their onboarding training plan, starting with a close-up view of the first day and week, and zooming out gradually to ongoing training months into a new employee’s tenure. A component of this program included using experienced employees as job shadow hosts — a personalized partner who could advise and instruct the new employee.

“This program will help standardize our onboarding process,” said Shadeed Spence, director of strategy and transformation at LRS. “The ELC team was great to work with and gave us practical, tangible ideas that can be implemented.”

Organizations in need of external perspectives, extra research horsepower, unbiased recommendations and/ or general business knowledge are encouraged to engage our NIU Experiential Learning Center by emailing Jason Gorham, ELC director, for details at jgorham@ niu.edu. ■

Hispanic Business Student Association Launched in College of Business

As the university observed Hispanic Heritage Month in October 2022, the NIU College of Business increased its efforts to ensure that Latino students feel welcomed and at home.

Officially launched last fall, the Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA) was created to support Latino students and help them graduate better prepared to face a future in the business world. The organization is part of ongoing efforts in the college to better support students of color and, more broadly, diversity in all its forms. A similar organization and mentoring program for Black students was launched in 2020.

“The number of Latino students at the university and in the college has been increasing significantly,” noted NIU College of Business Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success Daewoo Park. “Our hope is that the HBSA will help students remain focused and moving in the right direction. We hope it will help them build strong networking relationships and develop communication skills that will serve them well while at NIU and after graduation.”

Even more fundamentally, the organization is creating a sense of home for Latino students.

“Family is an important component of Latino heritage, so we want to foster that through this group,” said advisor Ursula Sullivan, who is an associate professor in the Department of Marketing. She noted that at least half of Latino students in the college are first-generation students. “If we can develop a sense of belonging, I believe it will help us better retain these

students and help them succeed in the classroom and in their career.”

As that sense of community grows, Park is hopeful that it will lead to new mentoring relationships between more senior students and their younger counterparts. “Our data show that Black and Hispanic students, especially first-generation students, don’t have the same academic outcomes as their peers,” Park said. “The data also demonstrates that they are more likely to excel if they can be mentored by a person from a similar background.”

While the organization will build a sense of community among Latino students, both Park and Sullivan stress that the organization aims to help students develop skills that will help them work and collaborate better with people from all backgrounds.

“Inclusive excellence, which relies on creating a culture that places a premium on cohesive, coherent and collaborative integration of diversity, inclusion and equity in an organization, is recognized as important for the business world. Our students need to graduate prepared to collaborate with people of all backgrounds,” said Park.

To help students understand the importance of working with people of diverse backgrounds, the college has also launched a Hispanic Alumni Mentoring Program. Twenty prominent alumni from the college have volunteered to participate in that program and have already been working with the HBSA.

For more information on the HBSA, contact the group at niuhbsa@gmail.com. ■

Drawing Prospective Students to Campus

High School Leadership Academy

In April, the College of Business hosted Illinois’ first and only high school leadership academy at NIU.

The second annual College of Business High School Leadership Academy brought in 150 Illinois high school students. College of Business assistant professors Biagio Palese and Andy Jeon made impressive presentations on AI, data analytics and digital marketing, followed by the team-based competition on ethical leadership and decision-making.

Business Olympics

In April, with the generous sponsorship of Plante Moran, the NIU College of Business hosted the 2023 Business Olympics for over 130 high school students and faculty advisors from 19 Illinois high schools.

Held at Barsema Hall, with multiple competitions for high school and community college students, the top teams brought home prize money in the following areas:

• Accountancy Data Visualization Competition.

• Big Idea Pitch Competition.

• Digital Marketing Competition.

• Mobile App Idea Competition.

• Valuation Challenge.

Leaders in Ethics and Academic Discipline (LEAD) student members, led by BELIEF Program Director Neil Doughty, supported the competition.

“We had great partnership, teamwork, dedication and Huskie pride for the successful conclusion of an AI-driven leadership program for Illinois’ future leaders,” said Associate Dean Daewoo Park. ■

“Each competition introduces hot topics in today’s business world such as data analytics, fintech, data visualization, entrepreneurship/innovation and digital marketing,” said Associate Dean Daewoo Park, who coordinates the event each year. “During and after the competitions, students can get additional advice and coaching from our faculty, staff and alumni.”

“This event serves the university and college’s Strategic Enrollment Plan, attracting and recruiting talented high school and community college students to the NIU College of Business by supporting equitable access, opportunity and success for students from diverse backgrounds. In fact, many participants in the Business Olympics — about 40% — came from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups,” said Park. ■

Management Major Wins Pitch Madness Competition

On July 19, management major Jada Samuels won first place overall and was also voted as the audience favorite at DePaul University’s Pitch Madness event. Student entrepreneur teams from 10 universities from across the Midwest competed. This is the first time NIU participated in this competition — sponsored and supported by the NIU Office of Innovation in the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships as well as the College of Business’ De La Vega Innovation Lab.

Samuels walked away with a whopping $7,000 — $6,000 for her first-place win and $1,000 for being the audience favorite — to help continue her business.

Samuels founded Jada Juice when she was 17 years old in March 2020, after realizing how much a poor diet can influence a person’s health. Through her company, she is determined to help address food insecurity issues in minority communities.

“My vision is to create generational health within not only minority communities, but across all communities, despite socioeconomic backgrounds,” she said.

Samuels noted that taking part in this competition — as well as the College of Business’ inaugural De La

Vega Innovation Pitch Competition in April, where she took home second place — allowed her to discover her own potential.

“Being an entrepreneur can be very challenging, it can be easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself to over-exceed,” Samuels said. “Entrepreneurship forces us to break out of our shells, because if we don’t, we won’t be able to effectively share our vision with the world.”

“Jada’s story is one that reflects the success of many young entrepreneurs and business students in our college,” said Interim Dean Denise Schoenbachler. “Through hard work and a vision for where she wants to go, Jada has been able to take advantage of all the top-notch opportunities and resources available to her and make her dreams a reality.” ■

Indian Event Honors Culture and Diverse Campus

“A Celebration of India,” an event sponsored by the NIU College of Business, was a remarkable showcase of Indian culture and tradition. Held in March 2023 at the Yellow Box Theater in Naperville, the event was also supported by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Office of the Provost, and was presented by the Indian Student Association.

Ajay Golla, an executive board member of the Indian Student Association, served as the master of ceremonies for the night, which featured five unique dances from the Tarana School of Music and Dance, followed by a musical performance by the Grammy-nominated Berklee Indian Ensemble. A brief intermission allowed guests to shop with local vendors and chat with the NIU MBA Program at their information table. Local vendors offered a variety of traditional Indian clothing and jewelry.

Graduate Student Experience and Engagement Coordinator Ben Piscopo attended the event and enjoyed the celebration.

“I have always had a deep appreciation for Indian culture, so it was special for me to put this together with the Indian Student Association. It was an incredible evening with beautiful displays of culture, art and community,” he said.

The event concluded with an encore performance by the Berklee Indian Ensemble, at which point guests left their seats to dance and sing in front of the stage. ■

Jada Samuels, photo courtesy of DePaul University

The Berklee Indian Ensemble

MSDM Dinner Honors Retirees, Award Winners

A dinner was held for the M.S. in Digital Marketing program in May 2023, honoring graduates, retirees and a few special award winners.

Jaclyn Crawford, director of digital marketing programs, welcomed the crowd at the NIU’s Naperville campus.

Former professor Tim Aurand, former Associate Professor Elisa Fredericks and former Professional Sales Program Director Chuck Howlett were all honored for their years of service to the college as they all prepared for retirement.

Assistant Professor Reza Rajabi was presented with the department’s “Golden Apple” award for the spring semester.

Students in the M.S. in Digital Marketing program voted for

Rajabi’s incredible teaching efforts.

Aline Hernandez, ’11, MSDM ’22, finished the formal program with an alumni address before dinner was served.

“The event brought together students, faculty, alumni and board members all in one place to celebrate and get to know each other better. Because the MSDM is an online program, having in-person events for all to attend are a special time for all to meet each other face-toface and strengthen the bonds that many have made over the years with just a simple internet connection,” Crawford said. “We look forward to making this a tradition and a unique part of the program.” ■

Reza Rajabi

Department of Accountancy Recognizes Impactful Alumni and Faculty

In April 2023, the college’s Department of Accountancy held its accountancy celebration in the Duke Ellington Ballroom at the Holmes Student Center on the NIU campus in DeKalb. Students, faculty and staff were invited to join the festivities, as well as some alumni and friends of the university.

“This year’s event was our first since September 2019. It has been that long!” said Department Chair Brad Cripe. “My goal was to bring us together and honor the commitment that our alumni, stakeholders, faculty, friends and students have made to the department over that time. We have emerged from COVID-19 strong, but more dependent upon one another to rebuild a sense of community that was lost during those three years.”

Several attendees were honored with special “Impact Awards” for the positive impact they had on students

and the college in the last year. Six incredible alumni and faculty members were recognized including:

Agent Brian Lanners, ’06, MAS ’07, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was awarded the 2022 Outstanding Alumnus award. Lanners was honored because of his efforts to help recruit high school students and for speaking to the forensic accounting courses numerous times. Over many years, he has devoted an exceptional amount of his time to the Department of Accountancy.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus Jim Young was recognized as the 2022 Honorary Alumnus for his legacy of service to the Department of Accountancy throughout the last 20 years.

Associate Professor Matt Pickard, Ph.D., and instructor Suzanne Youngberg , who also serves as internship director for the department, received the outstanding tenured/tenure-track and outstanding instructor awards, respectively. These two remarkable faculty members serve the department in so many ways. For instance, Pickard teaches in the information systems and data and analytics courses and holds students to very high standards. Youngberg teaches many courses including tax courses for both undergraduate and graduate students as well as a careers course.

Finally, Associate Professor Mark Mellon, Ph.D., and Academic Advisor Angela Gray received a new award for outstanding student impact. Mellon is known in the department as a cost accounting sage, teaching courses across undergraduate and graduate programs as well as within the MBA program. In addition, over the last few years, undergraduate accountancy students have remarked repeatedly about the importance of Gray and her impact on their success.

While only a handful of individuals were honored with awards, Cripe made a point to tell all attendees — students, staff members and alumni— that the evening was also in honor of their mammoth efforts over the last few years.

“You make such a difference to us, and so I want to celebrate you — and bring you back to remind you of your connection with us,” he said. ■