Michigan Tech College of Business Newsblog

Category: MIS

Madison Mattila, BS in Accounting and MIS, Receives PCAOB Scholarship

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Madison Mattila (left)

College of Business undergraduate Madison Mattila has been awarded a Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Scholars Program scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. The scholarship funds tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment.

Mattila has a double major in Management Information Systems and Accounting (with a concentration in Data Analytics). She is also pursuing a master of science in accounting and a certificate in accounting analytics. She expects to complete her bachelor’s degree in spring 2025, and her master’s degree in fall 2025.

The PCAOB Scholars Program seeks to benefit students who are likely to become auditors and to make a difference to students who might otherwise choose a different career path. Participating educational institutions nominate a scholarship recipient from among students enrolled in their accounting degree program.

Mattila was recognized as an outstanding student by the accounting faculty in spring 2024. Also in spring 2024, she received the 2024 Dean of Students Award for Possibilities.

Mattila is the president of Kappa Sigma Iota (KSI) Accounting Club, the College of Business representative and public relations chair for Undergraduate Student Government, and vice president of the Women’s Golf Club. She is also engaged in the Applied Portfolio Management Program and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Mattila also coaches girls’ soccer at Houghton High School and serves as a Big Sister for Big Brother Big Sisters of America.

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SBDC Internship with Accounting/MIS Student Henry Basala

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Accounting with Data Analytics and Management Information Systems Student, Henry Basala.

As a fourth-year College of Business student with a passion for helping others, I was
thrilled to begin my internship with the Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI
SBDC) last October. This role has allowed me to use the knowledge I have gained at Michigan
Tech to assist small businesses in their growth and development. It is my pleasure to share with
you some of the experiences that have shaped my internship journey so far.


In my role as a business consulting intern, my primary responsibility is to provide
comprehensive support to small businesses throughout the Upper Peninsula. From helping
them with their daily accounting and record-keeping tasks to conducting market analysis and
creating detailed reports, I get to provide a wide variety of assistance to these businesses.
Throughout my work, I am committed to ensuring that these enterprises have access to the
resources they need to thrive in this growing economy.


One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship is assisting entrepreneurs in writing
business plans. Collaborating with small business owners, I have helped transform their visions
into well-structured, actionable plans. These business plans serve as roadmaps, guiding them
toward sustainable growth and facilitating better decision-making. As well in many cases,
allowing the business access to capital to further business operations.

Additionally, I actively contribute to small businesses by providing assistance in
accounting and record keeping. Leveraging tools like Quickbooks and Wave Accounting, I not
only streamline financial processes but also devise effective management and collection
protocols. This facet of my role enables me to directly apply the knowledge I’ve acquired
through my major in a practical and impactful manner throughout my internship.

Furthermore, developing effective marketing strategies is a crucial aspect of my role. By
leveraging data-driven insights and understanding their target audience, we craft customized
plans that not only elevate their brand presence but also lead to higher customer engagement
and increased sales. The primary assistance I serve during this process is providing industry
and target market reports delivering comprehensive information of the industry.

During my internship, I have had the privilege of working with over 50 small businesses,
each with its unique set of challenges and aspirations. Being a part of their journey, witnessing
their growth, and contributing to their success has been incredibly rewarding. Recently, I was
presented with the opportunity to speak at the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce. Addressing
the local business community, I assisted another consultant in emphasizing the vital role that the
MI SBDC plays in supporting small businesses. This experience was both humbling and
empowering, as it showcased the impact our consulting services have on local businesses. As
well, I was also able to see Governor Whitmer address the recent improvements made to

Michigan’s infrastructure at the UP State Fair. This provided me with the opportunity to see state
representatives discuss projects that will affect the clients I work with directly.
In conclusion, my work at the MI SBDC has been an eye-opening and transformative
experience. I must credit the MI SBDC team for being instrumental in my development as a
young professional in the business. My mentors have provided invaluable insights, sharing their
knowledge and expertise. Their guidance has been pivotal in shaping my consulting approach,
enabling me to deliver impactful results to the businesses I work with. Witnessing their success
has reinforced my commitment to supporting small businesses, knowing that they are the
backbone of vibrant and thriving communities.

The life of a business consulting intern
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President’s Award for Leadership Goes to Aerith Cruz

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President Richard Koubek stands to the left of student Aerith Cruz
Cruz, pictured here with University President Richard Koubek, also served as co-host of the 29th annual ceremony.

Management information systems (MIS) major Aerith Cruz, a 2020 Chaska High School graduate, is the 2023 recipient of the President’s Award for Leadership, presented annually to one Husky selected from a pack of nominees who provide exemplary leadership to peers through activities at Michigan Tech. At the Student Leadership Awards Ceremony on April 14, Michigan Tech President Richard Koubek honored Cruz with the award. The annual event celebrates and recognizes leadership, excellence, kindness, and achievement.

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Scholarship Spotlight: Management Information Systems Alumni Scholarship

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campus drone shot

The Michigan Tech College of Business (COB) boasts more than 50 donor- and industry-sponsored scholarships reserved exclusively for new and returning business students. These awards are offered in addition to competitive, merit-, and need-based aid. For 2020-21, total scholarships and grants awarded to undergraduate students in the College of Business exceeded $4.6 million.

This month we highlight the Management Information Systems (MIS) Alumni Scholarship.

MIS Alumni Scholarship

Joseph Gherardi
Joseph Gherardi

The MIS Alumni Scholarship is an endowed scholarship created and funded by College of Business MIS graduates. Selection criteria include being an MIS major (or dual major) with a strong academic standing, a demonstrated commitment to the degree program, and professional communication skills.

One of two 2021-22 recipients of the MIS Alumni Scholarship is Joseph Gherardi. The third-year MIS student is active on campus as the assistant general manager for Sound and Lighting Services as well as a residence counselor for Summer Youth Programs. Gherardi chose MIS in part for its versatility; he says that he’s particularly fascinated by database management and security. “Working in IT for a hospital sounds like a lot of fun to me,” Gherardi says.

“Working in IT for a hospital sounds like a lot of fun to me,”

Joseph Gherardi, student

Two, one-time scholarships are awarded annually by the faculty committee; the sophomore award is valued at $1,000 and the junior-level scholarship is $2,000. Jeff Wall, associate professor of management information systems, says that Joseph’s focus and curiosity in class and involvement on campus helps him stand out. “He is the type of student every professor hopes for—he’s full of thoughtful questions and reflects deeply on complex material. Joseph has a bright future,” Wall adds. 

Management Information Systems at Michigan Tech

Pandemic-related workforce challenges really drove home how crucial information systems and technology are to industry, education, and entertainment. The Management Information Systems major at Michigan Tech helps meet the need—the 10 percent projected job demand through 2029 is much faster than average. In the College of Business, the major has already experienced incredible growth, doubling enrollment since 2012.

Responding to industry demand, recent changes to the MIS curriculum at Michigan Tech deepen the technical nature of the program. Huskies studying MIS can now specialize in cloud computing, data analytics, and machine learning.

Huskies studying MIS can now specialize in cloud computing, data analytics, and machine learning.

To support more future MTU students entering the major, alumni and friends can contribute to and grow the MIS Alumni Scholarship (please indicate fund number 4994 with your gift.) Questions related to the MIS Alumni Scholarship may be directed to business@mtu.edu.

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, 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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College of Business Welcomes Professor Tripti Singh

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Tripti Singh is an assistant professor of management information systems (MIS) in the College of Business at Michigan Technological University.
Dr. Tripti Singh
Dr. Singh earned her Ph.D. in MIS from the University of Alabama. Before joining the doctoral program, Singh worked in clinical research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She also holds a Master of Business Administration (Information Systems) and a Master of Public Health (Healthcare Organization and Policy) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Singh is also a certified Project Management Professional and holds the Six Sigma Green Belt certification from the American Society of Quality.

Her research focuses on 1) cybersecurity, 2) healthcare information systems, and 3) information privacy. She focuses on the intersection of human behavior and security within the cybersecurity domain to understand information security policy (ISP) compliance issues. Singh also researches the role of security-related stress among cybersecurity professionals. Her work focuses on understanding the digital divide, adoption of healthcare technology, information privacy, and health information disclosure issues among patients in the healthcare domain.

About the College of Business
The Michigan Tech College of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, 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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