On Saturday, October 19, four UDC graduate students from the School of Business and Public Administration won the first place prize of $5,000 in the 9th Annual Minority Case Competition sponsored by Howard University’s School of Business. UDC’s participants were: Tamon George (Captain); Anita Johnson (Co-Captain); Giresse Pembele; and Timothy Glymph III. The faculty advisor was Dr. Charlie E. Mahone, Jr., Professor, Department of Management, Marketing, and Information Systems.
In addition to UDC’s team, students from the following universities participated in this year’s event: Washington University of St. Louis, The University of Virginia, Syracuse University, Howard University, Johns Hopkins University, and Morgan State University.
The competition – sponsored by LMI, a not-for-profit corporation – unites top MBA candidates from across the country to compete for a monetary reward while applying their critical thinking and creative skills to solve a real-world business challenge. This year’s competition was part of the 18th Annual MBA Exclusive (MBAX) Conference that was held on October 18 – 19th at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC.
More information about the students:
Timothy Glymph III is a first-year student in the MPA program. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wilberforce University. For the past five years he has worked as a Group Counselor at the Episcopal Center for Children. He has also tutored and is serving as a lead counselor for Janney Elementary School’s After-School Program.
Tamon George is a first-year MBA student from Saskatchewan, Canada. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Regina with a BBA in Finance. Tamon is a well traveled and creative thinker who constantly seeks new knowledge and experiences. He looks forward to the endless possibilities of Washington, DC and is excited to continue his education in such an influential city.
Giresse Pembele is a 2nd year MBA student. In 2011, he received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (majoring in Finance and Accounting) from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He currently works as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of the SBPA Associate Dean, and he is the President of the Graduate Student Government Association. Giresse worked as a Financial Analyst for a year after earning his undergraduate degree, and for the last four tax seasons, he has worked as a Quality Reviewer and Tax Preparer for the School of Business and Public Management’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.
Anita Johnson, a 2011 honors graduate of Howard University, is a first-year student in the MPA program. She has achieved many accomplishments for the past few years, including presenting her first published article on women’s social and gender issues of the 21st century; working with elementary school students in Prince George’s County Public Schools as Director of the Cultural Enrichment Dance Education Program; completing a pre-summer law program through the Sutherland, Asbil & Brennan Law Firm; and participating in the Emerging Leaders Internship Program with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Most recently, Anita was awarded the opportunity to serve as a 2013-2014 DC Mayor’s District Leadership Intern where she will have the opportunity to work with some of the District’s leading professionals and practitioners in advancing the District’s strategic priorities, including job creation, fiscal stability, quality education, public safety, and self sufficiency.
On Saturday, April 5, 2014, one of the SBPA teams won the top prize of $5,000 at the 2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Region 2014 Business Plan Competition. The theme of this year’s competition was Innovations in Social and Economic Entrepreneurship. Team members were Tamon George; Giresse Pembele; and Donna-Marie Thompson.
The winning team presented a plan titled CollegeConsulting.Com, an intermediary that links small businesses with bright young business students to gain access to the insight they need to grow their businesses. For a fee, small businesses will have the opportunity to upload their “project” to CollegeConsulting.Com and have it worked on by a team of students as a semester long project.
CollegeConsulting.Com will be a valuable alternative to highly priced consulting that is often out of reach for small businesses. CollegeConsulting.Com believes that by bridging this gap, it not only increases the potential for small businesses, but also improves the quality of education in America and around the world.
In addition to the two teams from the University of the District of Columbia, representatives from Delaware State University (2nd place winner of $3,000); American University (3rd place winner of $2,000); and Morgan State University were also participants in this year’s event.
SBPA’s winning team will travel to Atlanta, Georgia on April 10 -13 to participate in the Thurgood Marshal-Opportunity Funding Corporation (OFC) Business Plan Competition. They will be accompanied by Acting Dean Yates and Academic Advisors Dr. Sylvia Benatti and Dr. Wayne Curtis.
Capital Cup Process
