Mays MBA team sweeps ethical leadership case competition

Full-Time MBA students at the National MBA Case Competition in Ethical Leadership
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A team of Full-Time MBA students from Mays Business School swept the 7^th Annual National MBA Case Competition in Ethical Leadership, held at Baylor University’s Hankamer Business School.

The Mays team members of Janette Barnard, Matt Johnson, Lloyd McGuire and Robyn Peters won first place in the team competition, which included a $5,000 prize. Barnard was named Best Presenter and Peters won Best Q&A at the Nov. 13-15 competition.

Each four-person team was tasked with resolving an incidence of insider trading at Goldman Sachs. “Given less than 24 hours to dissect the case, craft recommendations and develop a flawless presentation, this competition was a test of critical problem solving and prioritization,” Peters said. “Experiences like this are what really prepare us for our roles as future professional leaders.”

John Krajicek, who teaches business communication at Mays, said the team members were “terrific ambassadors” for the Mays MBA program and Texas A&M University. “Their analysis of the business case, poise and professionalism, and amazing stage presence really impressed the judges and other competitors. In fact, several faculty advisors from the competing schools were glowing in their praise for our team. As the Business Communications professor for the Mays MBA programs, I am particularly pleased that our students delivered such a polished, engaging and smart presentation. They did us all proud.”

Team member Lloyd McGuire said he considers the victory a testament to the education the students are receiving.  “Few things are more important in today’s business environment than ethical leadership. The education we are receiving here at Mays, along with Aggie core values, combine to generate ethical leadership solutions in a very powerful way.”

The other teams invited to compete were from

• Auburn University
• Baylor University
• Brigham Young University
• Iowa State University
• Pepperdine University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Florida
• University of Illinois
• University of Minnesota
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Washington

Patti Urbina, director of the Mays Full-Time MBA Program, said watching the students compete and seeing their support of one another was as rewarding as their high ranking in the competition. “In the afterglow of the announcement, Matt Johnson expressed it best when he referred to the talented pool of classmates that “push and challenge us every day’ as a key source for their preparation,” she said. “The team’s performance and reflection clearly indicate the curriculum’s success in addressing the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in business.”

About Mays Business School

Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School educates more than 5,000 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students in accounting, finance, management, management information systems, marketing and supply chain management. Mays consistently ranks among the top public business schools in the country for its undergraduate and MBA programs, and for faculty research. The mission of Mays Business School is creating knowledge and developing ethical leaders for a global society.