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School of Business Administration
Elliott Hall, Room 427
275 Varner Drive
Rochester,
MI
48309-4485
(location map)

Business Scholars Program
Motivated business students strengthen core business competencies in the competitive Business Scholars program. In the elite Business Scholars program, Oakland business students push the boundaries to expand their education and master professional competencies through:
- leadership development
- case competitions
- mentor/mentee relationship
- community involvement
Generously sponsored by Michael and Susan Novak, the Oakland University Credit Union and New World Diamonds.
The Fall 2021-Winter 2022 Business Scholars cohort application deadline is Monday, March 1, 2021.
Applicant outreach for interviews will occur the week of March 1 - March 5.
Applicants will be notified by Monday, March 15 about acceptance into the program.
Contact UsJoy Jiang
(248) 370-2832
jiang@oakland.edu
Meaghan Cole
mcwalter@oakland.edu
Through the OU Business Scholars program a select group of OU business students take advantage of career-enhancing activities to further develop their problem-solving, decision-making and leadership skills.
Leadership Development
Leadership development is based on the Lorminger Leadership Competencies that are selected specifically for the level of the students based on their progression in the program.
First-year Scholars
Presentation Skills
Conflict Management
Second-year Scholars
Negotiating Skills
Process Management
All Scholars
Annual challenge course team building event
Case Competitions
Three Saturdays per academic year devoted to case competition training
Scholars work in teams (lead by senior-level students) to analyze and present a solution to a specific business challenge to a panel of faculty and business professional judges. Prizes are awarded to the winning team. Previous prizes have included tuition credit, iPads and Microsoft Surfaces)
Mentorship
Each Scholar has an opportunity to receive mentorship from a business professional in various capacities.
Community
Each year, Scholars decide what community project or organization they want to engage to support.
Business Scholars | |
---|---|
![]() | Jesse Major: Pre-Business Campus involvement: OASIS, Grizz Gang, Business Scholars Why Oakland University: I chose Oakland University because I was aware that it had a strong business program, the campus is beautiful, and my brother lives close by. What makes Business Scholars interesting: The case competitions are very unique. They offer real solutions to real business situations. |
![]() | Lauren Major: Finance Campus involvement: Honors College, Business Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, Rotaract Club, CASA What makes Business Scholars interesting: The impact that the Business Scholars Program has made on my business education has been very positive and empowering. I have gathered knowledge and understanding of how the business world truly works and have learned that I am capable of enhancing it. The case competitions have strengthened my communication, time management and teamwork skills. These experiences have led me to be more of a critical thinker and to be very strategic when making decisions. I am also more confident in myself having been part of the Business Scholar Program at Oakland University. What Why major in business: I chose business because it offers a variety of career options that I can pursue in the future and is without limitations. I can use my creativity, intelligence and communication skills in the business world to amplify both products and companies. |
![]() | Madelyn Major: Pre-Business Campus involvement: Honors College, Alpha Lambda Delta, Chamber Orchestra, Women in Business, Academic Peer Mentor with University Housing What makes Business Scholars interesting: Working on real-world problems with peers while forming great relationships. Why major in business: I chose business because of the versatility in the field as well as the opportunities for growth and stability. |
![]() | Alex Major: General Management Campus involvement: Community Council, Intramural sports, Business Scholars Internship lessons:At my internship at Plastic Omnium, I learned how vital internal and external communication is to the success of a company. Why major in business: I chose to major in business because of the competition within the field to be successful. |
![]() | Alexis Major: General Management Campus involvement: Honors College, Business Scholars What makes Business Scholars interesting: The opportunity for networking and learning from business professionals is the most interesting part of the Business Scholars program. I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to gain knowledge from competition judges as a well as mentors in the program. Why OU: Because I am from the Upper Peninsula I was looking to expand my opportunities by attending college downstate. I thought furthering my education in an area I have always loved, in a wonderful city, on beautiful campus, would offer great opportunities for me in the long run. |
![]() | Penny Major: Pre-Business Campus involvement: Business Scholars, SOPE Why major in business: I love the professional and personal aspects that come along with business. You need to dive into a situation and come up with solutions and figure out why the problems arose. Why Oakland University: For the personability of smaller class sizes, distance, and the wonderful programs offered. |
![]() | Navneet Major: Economics Campus involvement: Business Scholars Why major in business: I chose my major because I want to be someone who has the answers to questions that people ask. A person who has knowledge in Economics. What makes Business Scholars interesting: Being able to work with students in different years of college and gain their wisdom and tips. |
![]() | Emma Major: Accounting Campus involvement: Treasurer, Business Transfer Students organization and Business Scholars Why Oakland University: The university gives its students plenty of opportunities to succeed. Internship lesson: Learning takes time and patience. Stick with it, and you’ll eventually be an expert in your field! Why major in business: Business offers many paths for one major. Just because I’m majoring in accounting doesn’t mean I have to be a CPA. I could go into private accounting, managerial accounting and even governmental accounting. |
![]() | Erin Major: Marketing Campus involvement: Business Ambassadors, Business Scholars and Business Transfer Students Why Oakland University: I chose Oakland University for its academics, transfer student program, and campus involvement. What makes Business Scholars interesting: Its focus on professional growth though its mentorship program and case study competitions. |
![]() | Kurtis Major: Marketing Campus involvement: Business Scholars Why Oakland University: It is my home. Before attending Oakland University as a student, I spent most of my time there with my parents who are both alumni. OU has provided me with the best resources, relationships, and education anyone student can ask for. What makes Business Scholars interesting: The opportunity to work with individuals who share the same competitive mindset, but also very different backgrounds. It has helped me learn much more about the amazing students that are a part of OU. Why major in business: I chose to major in business because of my passion for learning. Business has no limitations, and it provides you with unlimited opportunity. |
![]() | Lin Xiao Major: Finance Minor: Business Analytics Campus involvement: Business Scholars What makes Business Scholars interesting: The Business Scholars program helped me develop my leadership skills and expand my social networking. |
![]() | Mariella Major: Finance Minor: Spanish, Data Analytics Campus involvement: Honors College, NCAA Women's golf team, Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Business Scholars Why Oakland University: I chose Oakland because of the outstanding golf program and its medium-size, beautiful campus! What makes Business Scholars interesting: Competing in case competitions and being under the pressure with my group. Receiving feedback on our performance and creativity is always helpful, and I enjoy watching us improve each time. Why major in business: I have always had an entrepreneurial mind and I enjoy problem-solving and critical thinking about how to make a business more efficient. |
![]() | Max Major: Accounting Campus involvement: Business Scholars and Beta Gamma Sigma Why Oakland University: I chose Oakland University because it has an accredited accounting program. Why major in business: I chose to major in business, and specifically accounting, because I love working with numbers and I would like to work in an office setting. |
![]() | Nicholas Major: Accounting Minor: Finance Campus involvement: Business Scholars Why Oakland University: I chose OU because I really liked the layout of the campus and everything OU has to offer. What makes Business Scholars interesting: The mentorship program. |
February 13, 2020
Oakland Business Scholars team members put their change management skills to work in a case that challenged them to examine the relationship between organizational culture and morale.
Business Scholars focus on marketing strategies in latest case competition
December 12, 2018
In their most recent case competition, teams of Business Scholars developed and presented marketing strategies to grow annual sales for Detroit Bikes.
Business Scholars case competition puts strategy and leadership skills to use
October 23, 2018
Scholars were challenged to create a case for complimentary service offerings in the evolving the business strategy of Banff Aspen Lodge.
Business Scholars present strategies, learn by doing
April 10, 2018
Three OU Business Scholar teams faced-off in their final case competition of the year.
OU Business Scholars place second in prestigious international case competition
May 11, 2017
After a demanding 12 weeks of competition in the two-part International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition (ICBSC), the OU Business Scholars placed second for overall performance in their world.