Michigan Tech College of Business Newsblog

Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance by Appointment

Published March 9, 2023

Academics

Close-up shot of the Academic Office Building — Appointments for free income tax assistance are available every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday through April 12.

The Michigan Tech College of Business (COB) is pleased to again offer Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, a service offered at the University for more than 20 years. Accounting majors will provide free income tax preparation assistance for students and members of the community who could not otherwise afford the services of a CPA tax professional.

Assistance is provided by appointment via Google Calendar only. To schedule a 30-minute session, visit one of the following calendars: VITA, VITA-1, or VITA-2. You may need to check all three calendars for an available spot on a desired date/time. Walk-in and virtual appointments are not available.

Appointments, held in the Academic Office Building, Room G015, are available beginning Monday, March 13 through Wednesday, April 12 during the following times:

Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Tuesdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Wednesdays 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

What to Bring

Bring your W-2s, form 1099s, 1098Ts, and any other tax statements to your session. If possible, bring a copy of last year’s tax return.

International students

Prior to your appointment, complete the Federal Form 1040 using the Glacier Tax Prep software provided by the University, and then bring the completed federal forms to your appointment for assistance with state tax return preparation.

Questions?

For more information, contact:
Joel Tuoriniemi, accounting professor
jctuorin@mtu.edu | 906-487-1877

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.

Husky Bites: Money Matters II—Student Strategies

Published March 9, 2023

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Photo of Quinnipiac Award trophy — In 2022, students in Michigan Tech’s College of Business won first place (yet again) in the Quinnipiac University Global Asset Management Education (GAME) Forum XI portfolio competition—Undergraduate Value Portfolio division.

By: Kim Geiger

Jada Hamar, Luke Helsel and Jaharee Weah, all students in Michigan Tech’s Applied Portfolio Management Program, will share their knowledge on Husky Bites, a free, interactive Zoom webinar on Monday, 3/13 at 6 pm 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.

Master the stock market, but make it Tech.

screen capture of Zoom conversation with five people — “*Money Matters II” is a continuation of a previous session of Husky Bites, “Money Matters,” which took place on February 27. Read* *the first blog post, or watch a recording of the first session* *on youtube*.

What are you doing for supper this Monday 3/13 at 6 p.m. ET? Grab a bite with Janet Callahan, College of Engineering dean, and Jada Hamar, Luke Helsel, and Jaharee—students in Michigan Tech’s Applied Portfolio Management Program (APMP). Joining in will be Dean Johnson, dean of the College of Business at Michigan Tech. Dr. Johnson founded and directs the program.

Just how do Michigan Tech business students consistently win national competitions investing $2 million real money? We’ll find out during Husky Bites—from the students themselves.

Each year, Michigan Tech students are selected to lead APMP for one calendar year, managing real money in US stock and bond markets. Students are chosen based on demonstrated aptitude and leadership skills in the area of finance, accounting, and financial economic theory.

In the 25 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.

portrait of Luke Helsel — Luke Helsel ’24

Luke Helsel, who is earning his bachelor’s degree in finance at Michigan Tech, would like to enter into the asset management industry upon graduation, eventually working his way into private equity or hedge fund management.

“The best part of APMP is that the program exposes students to a high end of financial and statistical topics,” Helsel says. “In addition to this, there is a large focus on applying the topics and ideas learned in APMP, rather than simply memorizing them.”

The most challenging part, and the most rewarding? “It’s the pressure of managing real money,” he adds. “In other programs, the trades are done ‘on paper’ and not executed in the real markets. The APMP provides a really unique opportunity to be able to manage actual dollars, because you get an emotional reaction from making or losing money. Managing this reaction and staying rational is one of the keys to good portfolio management. I’m very grateful to have learned this in college.”

During Husky Bites, Luke, Jada, and Jaharee promise to share their strategies. Dr. Johnson will join the session largely to serve as a co-host.

As a PhD student in 1996, Dr. 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.” Back then, 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. Dr. Johnson became dean in 2016.

Luke, How did you first get into your chosen major/field? What sparked your interest?

I began as a general business student with a focus on entrepreneurship at Tech in 2020. Soon I changed my major to finance because I really enjoyed the material covered in classes. I’ve chosen to pursue investment finance because the work always changes; one day is always different from the next. In addition, investment finance is sort of like finding treasure, which I really enjoy.

Family and hometown?

I was born and raised on a Christmas tree farm in Bellaire, Michigan.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. Lifting weights and reading are some of my year-round hobbies. I’m also a brother of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity on campus.

Photo of Jada Hamar flanked by two dogs — 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.

photo of Dean Johnson standing and smiling — Dean Johnson, dean of the College of Business at Michigan 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.

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.

Husky Bites: Dean Johnson—Money Matters

Published February 27, 2023

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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, 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, 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.

Management Major Earns Army ROTC George Marshall Honor

Published February 23, 2023

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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.

Elham Asgari Selected for Deans’ Teaching Showcase

Published February 21, 2023

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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.