EMPOWER Net Impact Case Competition: Create a Post-Pandemic Economic Plan Smith MBA students Ashlee Albertson, Sara Bartzcak, Morgan Daly, and Daylin Russo placed fourth in the international Net Impact Case Competition (NICC) in March 2021.This year’s competition, sponsored by the University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder’s Leeds School of Business, focused on creating an ethically centered vaccine distribution plan. This Case Competition was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition challenged students to create an economic recovery plan tailored to a global pandemic. Teams were required to implement solutions that provided equitable social and economic impact, and that also paid respect to a country’s diverse communities. This year’s case challenge built on the NICC’s commitment to challenging students to find answers to major societal issues with a positive social, environmental, and financial impact. The Maryland Smith team advanced to the competition’s final round and took home $1,000 in prize money. The team’s creativity, conscientious ideas and fearlessness were on full display and CSVC is proud to recognize their hard work! — Ashlee Albertson, MBA
Research Impact Fellowship (RIF) In June 2021, CSVC debuted its first-ever multidisciplinary undergraduate research program, the Research Impact Fellowship. This three-month-long remote program offers a hands-on learning experience for students to pursue academic research focused on promoting positive social impact through business. At its core, research is meant to bring understanding to the complexity of our world in hopes that understanding will lead to positive change. CSVC recognizes that there is a growing need for student involvement in shaping the future of business through impactdriven research. Working alongside expert faculty and business leaders, Research Impact Fellows will be able to analyze current business approaches, deepen their understanding of social value strategies, and be inspired to pioneer creative solutions. We believe the opportunity to lead and conduct their own responsible business research will prepare students to think critically and better understand the importance of balancing the interests of shareholders with the social outcomes of business. Over the course of 10 weeks, each fellow will conduct a research project on a topic that aligns with the center’s mission to create a world where businesses operate for the long-term value of both people and the planet. Some topics include corporate social responsibility; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); climate change; impact finance and ESG metrics; diversity, equity, and inclusion; COVID-19 impact; and more. In addition, students will attend weekly seminars and participate in 1:1 mentoring with research alumni, faculty, and field experts to strengthen their research and analytical thinking skills. We aim to present student findings at the Grand Challenges Symposium, where fellows will discuss the innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions to their research topics.
12
