Michigan Tech College of Business Newsblog

Category: Academics

Husky Bites: Dean Johnson—Money Matters

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Photo of Quinnipiac Award trophy
Have you mastered the stock market? Are you investing wisely for your future? And just how do Michigan Tech students consistently win national investment competitions investing real money via the Michigan Tech Fund? Find out during Husky Bites!

By: Kim Geiger

Dean Johnson will share his knowledge on Husky Bites, a free, interactive Zoom webinar Monday, February 27 at 6 p.m. ET. Learn something new in just 30 minutes or so, with time after for Q&A! Get the full scoop and register at mtu.edu/huskybites.

What are you doing for supper this Monday, February 27 at 6 p.m. ET? Grab a bite with Dean Johnson, dean of the College of Business at Michigan Tech. Joining in will be recent graduates Jada Hamar and Kasey Kangas, plus current student Jaharee Weah—all three took part in the Applied Portfolio Management Program (APMP), directed by Dr. Johnson.

In the 20-plus years since APMP’s founding, teams of Huskies have grown the portfolio into one of the top 50 undergraduate funds in the nation. Students in the program have opened the Nasdaq Stock Exchange and become regulars on CNBC. And although APMP is a for-credit class, the intensive experience often becomes much more of a commitment—and reward.

Dean Johnson, Dean of the College of Business, Michigan Tech

During Husky Bites, Dr. Johnson also promises to share their secret recipe of 25 years—the one that’s been guiding these Michigan Tech students as they manage real money. 

“In addition, we’ll consider paradigms, paradoxes, performance, and persistence, while exploring the history of investment theory and practice from the 1920s to the 2020s,” he says.

As a PhD student, Johnson interviewed for his first faculty position at Michigan Tech with a very clear vision. “Right away, I intended to establish a portfolio management program for students,” says Johnson, who was hired on as faculty in 1996 in Michigan Tech’s School of Business. He became dean in 2016. 

Back in 1996, giving college students a large sum of real money to manage in financial markets was a particularly novel—and perhaps risky—idea, and Michigan Tech was just the place. And there were alumni, donors and Michigan Tech Fund board members helping along the way. 

In 2019, Michigan Tech’s School of Business became its College of Business. “We offer a broad range of degrees, including four graduate degrees,” notes Johnson. “Our program has been accredited for nearly two decades,” he said. “College imparts the prestige indicative of our history, value and offerings—from our top faculty and technology-infused business core, to our esteemed alumni network.”

“Michigan Tech is an exceptional STEM university that provides us with a unique ability to bridge business and technology.”

Dean Johnson, dean, Michigan Tech College of Business

Each year, a new group of Michigan Tech students is selected to lead APMP for one calendar year, managing more than $2 million in real money in US stock and bond markets. Students are chosen for the program based on their demonstrated aptitude and leadership skills in the area of finance, accounting, and financial economic theory. 

Jada, Kasey, and Jaharee not only took part in the APMP together, but were also in many of the same finance classes together at Tech.

Dr. Johnson, how did you first get into your field? What sparked your interest?

I was fascinated by stock prices at a very young age. The flow of capital to fund firms providing the goods and services most in-demand by society is the key to improving the standard of living for all.

Hometown, family, hobbies?

I live here in Houghton, Michigan. I’m married with three children. I enjoy the outdoors and sports in my spare time.

Jada Hamar ’22

Jada, how did you first get into your field? What sparked your interest?

My dad attended Michigan Tech for finance. He’s a local banker. I didn’t initially want to follow in his footsteps until I took my first business class. I quickly realized that finance was the route I wanted to take. I enjoyed the challenge of the classes, and the number of career paths available with a finance degree was really exciting. I graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS in finance this past December. I accepted a position at Ameriprise Financial in Houghton. 

Hometown, family? What do you like to do in your spare time?

I feel lucky to have grown up in this area and be able to continue my education here, too. I am the oldest of six kids, with two younger brothers and three younger sisters. I enjoy time outdoors with my husband and our two dogs—skiing in the winter, and fishing in the summer. We have a five-year-old Goldendoodle, Arlo, and Indy, a seven-month-old yellow lab.

Kasey Kangas ’22

Kasey, how did you first get interested in business?

I took a business introduction class in high school and thought it was fun. My teacher recommended I take her accounting class, so I did—and I loved it! Now I’m an accountant at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital.

Hometown, family?

I grew up in Calumet, Michigan. I have five brothers and five sisters.

Any hobbies?

I love hiking, camping, fishing, cooking, baking, reading, and playing guitar. 


About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA®, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics.


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Management Major Earns Army ROTC George Marshall Honor

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Victoria Cameron stands with certificate
The Michigan Tech scholar aims to combine her ROTC experience and business degree to pursue a career in military intelligence.

Cadet Victoria Cameron is the Michigan Technological University Army ROTC Arctic Warrior Battalion’s recipient of the George C. Marshall Award for 2023. Cameron was nominated to represent the battalion at the George C. Marshall Leadership and Awards Seminar, held February 14-15 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. 

Victoria Cameron stands with Major General Antonio V. Munera
Cameron with the Commanding General, Major General Antonio V. Munera

A tradition since 1978, more than 200 of the nation’s top Army ROTC and United States Military Academy cadets met to participate in the event, which featured seminars and roundtable discussions with Army senior leaders, defense experts, cadre, and peers. The experience is a chance to re-emphasize leadership fundamentals, producing cadets skilled at building cohesive teams, said Major General Antonio Munera, commanding general of the US Army Cadet Command.

Eligible cadets are college seniors with leadership positions within their detachments, and are nominated by their respective programs for the award based on scholarship, leadership, physical fitness, and community involvement.

Cameron is a senior management major in the Michigan Tech College of Business, where she also serves as a student ambassador and is on the Dean’s Student Advisory Council. Captain Paul Weiss, interim chair of Michigan Tech Army ROTC, says that Cameron was selected for this reward as a top senior cadet in her cohort. She previously served as the operations officer for @mtuarmyrotc and currently serves as executive officer. 

A proven leader, Cameron provides mentorship and development opportunities for junior cadets. In fall 2023, she organized a first-of-its-kind leadership forum between Army ROTC and the College of Business to support continued development for all cadets. Last spring, Cameron facilitated fundraisers such as a cross country ski race to raise funding for the purchase of additional gym equipment and registration costs for fellow cadets to participate in training opportunities such as the Bataan Memorial Death March held at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

The seminar and award are named for General George C. Marshall, US Army chief of staff during WWII and later secretary of state and defense during the Truman administration. Marshall received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for developing the Economic Recovery Act of 1948, better known as the Marshall Plan.

“This is a huge honor and a major accomplishment and I couldn’t have done it without the support of College of Business faculty and staff over the last four years,” says Cameron, a native of Petoskey, Michigan, who as a high school senior earned a scholarship for full in-state tuition to Tech.

“This is a huge honor and a major accomplishment and I couldn’t have done it without the support of College of Business faculty and staff over the last four years.”

Victoria Cameron, Michigan Tech business student

Over summer 2022, Cameron interned with the US Department of Justice, tasked with mitigating bombings, suspected terror attacks, shootings, and other threats of violence, as well as conducting database checks and open-source research to further national security investigations.

Following graduation, Cameron plans to commission as a second lieutenant in the US Army before eventually transitioning into the Military Intelligence Corps, earning captain rank, and pursuing psychological operations. “I will be able to combine my management degree and training in Army ROTC to become a capable leader, bringing a fresh approach to organizing and guiding my unit,” she adds.

Michigan Tech College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA®, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics.

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Elham Asgari Selected for Deans’ Teaching Showcase

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Elham (Ellie) Asgari, assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship, poses in the library
Elham Asgari

Dean Johnson, dean of the Michigan Tech College of Business (COB), has selected Elham (Ellie) Asgari, assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship, as the featured instructor this week in the Deans’ Teaching Showcase.

Asgari will be recognized at an end-of-term luncheon with other spring showcase members and is a candidate for the next CTL Instructional Award Series.

Asgari is being recognized for innovative in-class teaching methods including a crowdfunding campaign where students gauge interest for their start-ups while simultaneously attracting resources; using customer discovery to help students assess start-up potential; connecting students with MTEC SmartZone mentors; advising students in writing SBIR/STTR proposals to attract funding; and working one-to-one with students preparing them for regional and global investment pitches.

“Dr. Asgari brings the role of Gates Professorship in Entrepreneurship and Innovation to life in and out of the classroom. The above-and-beyond effort mentoring students preparing for dozens of pitch competitions is apparent in the results—students earning top awards and prize dollars,” said Johnson.

“The above-and-beyond effort mentoring students preparing for dozens of pitch competitions is apparent in the results—students earning top awards and prize dollars.”

Dean Johnson, dean, Michigan Tech College of Business

From e-pitch opportunities to on-campus traditions like the Bob Mark Business Model Competition to Central Michigan University’s New Venture Competition, Asgari’s work supporting entrepreneurially minded students has resulted in renewed motivation among students, helping them make positive impacts in the campus community and around the world.

Asgari offers the Social Impact Award as part of the Bob Mark event, recognizing students’ societal impacts. In addition, a portion of Asgari’s professorship funding is directed toward sponsoring the New Venture Competition awards, bringing goodwill and collaboration to the University.

Mentoring students in I-Corps workshops and guiding them in applying for I-Corps National Science Foundation grants is also a priority for Asgari. The process assesses market potential of new technological developments and has been successfully awarded to an MTU student.

New to campus is the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO), a student organization which Asgari serves as an advisor and supports students to attend the CEO Global Conference, where one Husky made it to the top 25 of 600 applicants. In 2022, Asgari also helped launch and execute COB’s Summer Youth Program—”Be Your Own Boss.”

For her impact with hands-on entrepreneurial education at Michigan Tech and beyond, the College of Business is honored to recognize Elham Asgari in the Deans’ Teaching Showcase.

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA®, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics.

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Business Huskies Honored for Academics

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Volleyball player makes a pass
College of Business student-athlete Carissa Beyer executes a pass.

The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced the All-Academic and All-Academic Excellence Teams for the Fall 2022 semester. A total of 140 Michigan Tech student-athletes earned recognition with 94 Huskies on the All-Academic Excellence Team and 46 on the All-Academic Team.

Criteria states that the student-athlete must be an active member on the roster at the end of the season, not a first-year or a first-year transfer student. GLIAC All-Academic teams are comprised of those student-athletes that meet the criteria and carry a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0-3.49. GLIAC Academic Excellence teams are comprised of student-athletes that have a cumulative GPA of 3.50-4.0.

All-Academic and All-Academic Excellence Teams representing the Michigan Tech College of Business:

Men’s Cross Country Academic All-Excellence 

  • Clayton Sayen, Gr., Master of Business Administration, 3.87, Houghton, Mich./Houghton

Football Academic All-Excellence 

  • Gabe Frontuto, Jr., Master of Business Administration, 3.66, Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco
  • Collin Hicks, R-Fr., Finance, 3.67, Marquette, Mich./Marquette Senior
  • Patrick Kastner, R-Fr., Accounting, 3.51, Elmhurst, Ill./York Community
  • Louis Thom, Sr., Engineering Management, 3.88, Leonard, Mich./Romeo
  • Owen Watson, So., Engineering Management, 3.79, Otsego, Mich./Otsego

Football All-Academic

  • Will Ark, Sr., Master of Business Administration, 3.12, Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon
  • Hunter Beuchel, So., Finance, 3.06, Lake Mills, Wis./Lake Mills
  • Steele Fortress, Jr., Construction Management, 3.25, Spring Arbor, Mich./Parma Western
  • Kolby Hindenach, R-Fr., Construction Management, 3.39, Paw Paw, Mich./Paw Paw
  • Brady Ingbretson, So., Finance, 3.30, Wauwatosa, Wis./Wauwatosa
  • Kevin Lee, Sr., Business Administration, 3.16, Warren, Mich./De La Salle Collegiate
  • Will Marano, Jr., Management, 3.25, Dearborn, Mich./Edsel Ford
  • Liam McDonough, So., Engineering Management, 3.31, Green Bay, Wis./West DePere
  • Jacob Newman, So., Finance, 3.23, South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon
  • Bryce Pietrantonio, R-Fr., Construction Management, 3.31, Kingsford, Mich./Iron Mountain
  • Brendan Stephens, R-Fr., Construction Management, 3.30, Trenton, Mich./Allen Park
  • Connor Worthington, So., Construction Management, 3.30, Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven
  • Scout Wunder, Sr., Construction Management, 3.44, Escanaba, Mich./Escanaba

Soccer Academic All-Excellence

  • Julia Pietila, So., Marketing, 3.96, Hartland, Mich./Hartland
  • Alicia Shatrau, Gr., Accounting, 3.62, Brighton, Mich./Brighton

Volleyball Academic All-Excellence 

  • Carissa Beyer, Sr., 3.54, Finance, Appleton, Wis./Appleton North

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA®, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics.

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The Business of Being a Husky: Becoming a Leader at Michigan Tech

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Group of students stand in front of Chicago's "Bean".
Emily (fourth from left) stands with other American Marketing Association members along with Professor Junhong Min (far right).
Emily Kughn stands in front of a Michigan Tech sign
This blog is by Emily Kughn, marketing and management dual major, and student ambassador.

Back in 2018, the summer before my senior year of high school, I began looking at colleges. I remember getting an email from a strange place called Michigan Technological University. My dad informed me that “MTU” was an excellent university, and we decided to come for a campus visit. Little did I know that when we made the 534-mile trek up to the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan Tech would become my home for the next four years.

I’m really proud of my path in college—I began as an overwhelmed first-year student far from friends and family, and grew into a person who welcomes challenges and changes. I attribute this success to my willingness to try new things and numerous leadership positions on campus. 

“I grew into a person who welcomes challenges and changes.”

Emily Kughn, Michigan Tech business student

My Leadership Experiences

Some of the leadership positions I have held as a Michigan Tech student include: treasurer of the American Marketing Association; Young Women Leaders Program mentor; Orientation Team Leader; College of Business teaching assistant; house manager and overall Winter Carnival chair for Delta Zeta sorority; and Women’s Rugby Club public relations chair, president, and captain.

I am grateful to attend a university that provides students with so many opportunities to be involved, stand out, and lead. Michigan Tech’s size is perfect—you will never feel as if you blend into the crowd, and the different ways and possibilities to develop into a leader on campus are endless.

“Michigan Tech’s size is perfect—you will never feel as if you blend into the crowd.”

Emily Kughn, Michigan Tech business student

If you don’t know how to get started on a path to leadership, my advice is to start making connections: 

  • Say hi to people in your classes.
  • Meet with your professors during their office hours.
  • Attend free campus events.
  • Go to K-Day in the fall.
  • Join student organizations (before holding a leadership position in a student org, you must first become a member).

Also, nobody becomes a leader on their own. It happens as a result of learning from mentors and being built up by those around you. I am fortunate to have had so many people on campus assist me in my path to leadership, including Michigan Tech Marketing Professor Jun Min. From my first time meeting him, he instilled passion in me, made it known that he believed in me, and was always there for advice and mentorship. Every student within the College of Business is lucky to have professors who go above and beyond their job description. They truly care about their students’ leadership development. 

Leadership Lessons

Photo of the Michigan Tech Women's Rugby team

Michigan Tech Women’s Rugby Club gathers for a team photo after conference playoffs.

My involvement has taught me so many lessons and developed me into a strong leader. The Women’s Rugby Club is one student organization that I have been a part of since my first semester here at Tech, and I credit it with developing me into an all-around better person.

In life, I think it’s extremely important to find something you are passionate about. It is much easier to develop into a leader when you have a strong passion for the subject at hand. In college, my passion has become rugby. When I first became a captain for my team, I struggled to speak up and feel like my voice mattered. Despite facing adversity, I kept learning. Over time, my confidence grew and I learned how to be a strong leader. To me, leadership will always be done by learning, empowering others, and building them up. I am so proud to say that in my last game as a captain, we took home some hardware (for the first time) by placing fourth in the conference playoffs in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! Michigan Tech and the College of Business have helped to foster these leadership experiences. As I look forward to graduation in April, I am thankful that I can take all of my leadership lessons with me into my career and personal life. 

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing, as well as a general business option. Graduate degrees include the TechMBA®, a Master of Engineering Management, a Master of Science in Accounting, and a Master of Science in Applied Natural Resource Economics.

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