Michigan Tech College of Business Newsblog

Tag: TCPC

THE Project: SBE works to make higher education more affordable in MI

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rsz_1the_project_2015_2For the 4th year in a row, Michigan Tech placed second in THE Project’s 2015 competition on April 13. The event was held at the Pinnacle Center in Grand Rapids, MI and included 15 teams from the State of Michigan. The competing students were asked to prepare a variety of deliverables to reduce the cost of higher education in the state of Michigan.

Michigan Tech had 2 teams both receiving recognition and awards. Michigan Tech’s Team A received the highest presentation score in their division. The students of Team A consist of:

  • Helen Richards, majoring in Engineering Management
  • Arissara (Kwang) Suthijindawong, double major in MIS and OSM
  • Cody Waffle, majoring in Engineering Management

Michigan Tech Team B placed second overall and received the highest score in their division. The students of Team B consist of:

  • Taylor Auguston, majoring in Management with a concentration in Supply ChainTHE Project 2015
  • Kareem Fayssa, majoring in Operations Systems and Management
  • Frances Kallio, majoring in Operations Systems and Management
  • Dylan Whittaker, majoring in Operations systems and Management

Both teams worked over the course of the two semesters to prepare for their deliverables and final presentations. With guidance from Dr. Dana Johnson the students all received valuable knowledge and project management skills that can be utilized as they move forward with their careers. Kallio expressed “It was the greatest experience of my college career. Not only did my presentation and public speaking improve, but my team work, leadership and communication skills grew beyond belief.”

Members of both teams improved their understanding of project management concepts along with gaining confidence in their ability to apply them to a real world experience. Fayssa noted that he now intends to pursue a career in project management and will often reflect on his experience with THE Project 2015.

 

This article was written by Frances Kallio.

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THE Project 2014

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The Michigan Tech team (from left to right): Destine Clark, Cole Smith, Angela Barr, Min Li, Robert Stroebel, and Shivaram Kannimangalamviswanathan

Michigan Tech placed second in THE Project 2014‘s competition on April 14.  The event was held at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, MI and involved ten teams from around the country.  Competing students had been asked to prepare a recommendation to Governor Snyder to make it easier for Michigan’s Military Veterans to connect with their Federal Benefits.

2014 marked the third annual Project competition; both of Michigan Tech’s teams made the final four in 2013 (placing second and third), and Michigan Tech’s Team B placed second in 2012.

For 2014, Michigan Tech sent one team, consisting of:

  • Angela Barr, double major in Marketing and Management
  • Destine Clark, majoring in Operations and Systems Management
  • Shivaram Kannimangalamviswanathan, Graduate student in Mechanical Engineering
  • Min Li, majoring in Operations and Systems Management
  • Cole Smith, majoring in Management
  • Robert Strobel, majoring in Engineering Management

The team worked diligently over the course of two semesters to prepare for the presentations.  Smith noticed that his public speaking skills steadily improved over the course of the year.  He stated, “It was a great experience from the beginning.  I now have a better understanding of project management concepts, and feel confident I can use what I learned from this competition in the real world.  It also helped me become a stronger leader and improved my communication skills.”

Smith offered up some advice for next year’s team: “Preparation is key, and you have to know your audience.”  Want to be involved in THE Project 2015?  Apply by October 2014!

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Tech Business Teams Take 2nd and 3rd in THE Project

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Business and Economics students from Michigan Tech had another successful showing at THE Project, taking 2nd and 3rd places respectively.

Two Michigan Tech teams competed in the second West Michigan Project Management Institute THE Project 2013 competition. There were seven collegiate teams competing for $10,000 prizes, and both Michigan Tech teams made it to the Final Four.

Michigan Tech Team B placed 2nd overall and received $3,000, and Michigan Tech Team A placed 3rd overall and received $2,000. Team B consists of Danielle Boettger (Economics), Evan Beckner (Operations and Systems Management), August Skultety (Operations and Systems Management). Team A consists of Kira Eck (Marketing), Mitch Fedie (Management), Amanda Halonen (Operations and Systems Management), and Mandi Severn (Management). All students were enrolled in BUS4950 Advanced Project Management this semester.

Details about the competition are located at: http://www.wmpmi.org.

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Michigan Tech Takes Second in Project Management Competition

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On April 9th, two, four-person Michigan Tech teams traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan for A Project Management Collegiate Competition presented by The Project Management Institute, Western Michigan Chapter. Out of eight teams, Michigan Tech placed second, ousted only by Grand Valley State University for the top position. Other competitors from Aquinas College, Kalamazoo College, Davenport University, and University of Phoenix were also in attendance. The day was devoted to presentations, networking, and sharing knowledge about the future of project management.

“Our teams have been preparing over the past two semesters to present project management plans at the competition,” said Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management Dana Johnson. “Being able to use the skills and tools that students learned in class will help them prepare for their future careers.”

The student teams, along with their school, business, and PMP mentors, had to create a project management plan for a business seeking B Corporation certification. B Corps permits and protects businesses in making social and environmental decisions. Instead of being accountable only to shareholders, B Corps businesses must also consider their impact on employees, their community, and the environment.

Team A: Dani Revord, Drew Randall, Emily Jensen, and Sarah Zimmerman. This team was mentored by Ashley Livingston, PMP and Andrew Gill, PMP.

Michigan Tech’s Team A was composed of Davi Revord, Emily Jensen, Drew Randall, and Sarah Zimmerman. The A Team was mentored by Ashley Livingston, PMP and Andrew Gill, PMP. Team B was made up of Jane Koivisto, George Olszewski, Ashleigh Juday, and Samuel Eberhard and mentored by Jeff Hazy, MBA, PMP and Derek Mazurek, MBA, PMP.

“This was a wonderful experience for all of us, and we were very fortunate to place in the competition, meet our mentors, and socialize with the WMPMI board,” said Samuel Eberhard of Team B. “All of us are extremely happy we had the opportunity to compete in this competition , and we hope future Michigan Tech students take part in it.”

Team B: Samuel Eberhard, Jane Koivisto, Ashleigh Juday, and George Olszewski, Team B was mentored by Jeff Hazy, MBA, PMP and Derek Mazurek, MBA, PMP.

The event is the first collaboration between Western Michigan Project Management Institute (WMPMI), Universities, and West Michigan Business Leaders.

This trip was supported by the Michigan Tech Parents Fund and the Western Michigan Chapter of the Project Management Institute.

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