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School of Business Administration

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

School of Business Administration

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

A young woman standing in front of a projector screen displaying percentage data.

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
Contact Us
Joy Jiang
(248) 370-2832
jiang@oakland.edu

Meaghan Cole
mcwalter@oakland.edu
Program Highlights

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.

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.

Meet the Scholars
Business Scholars
Hannah T OU Business Honors Student 2020 cohortHannah

Major: Operations Management with Project Management specialization
Minor: Writing

Why OU:“I knew [Oakland University] was the place for me. The small, personalized classes of the Business Honors Program combined with the culture of the campus felt right.”

More: Lauren appreciates how business students help each other succeed.

Additional experiences: Honors College
Ayilah, Business ScholarAyilah

Major: Accounting
Minor: Business Analytics

What activities/organizations are you involved with on campus? I am involved in the Pakistani Student Association (PSA), Muslim Student Assocation (MSA), and Decision and Data Science Assocation (DDSci).

What do you appreciate about the School of Business? Something I appreciate about the School of Business at OU is how open all the advisors are to helping with student success.
Daniel, Business ScholarDaniel

Major: Economics
Minor: Finance

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? Interested in working in a group to solve business problems.

What do you appreciate about the School of Business? How it can help me connect with professionals as well as other students in business.
Jimmy, Business ScholarJimmy

Major: Human Resource Management and/or General Management

Why did you choose Oakland University? Their business school was an ideal fit for my goals and what I want to accomplish.

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? It can help provide me with skills needed in my career choice and give me an opportunity to be more involved with the University.
Jon, Business ScholarJon

Major: Economics
Minor: Finance

What activities/organizations are you involved with on campus? Vice President of OU Roundnet Club, Member of Economics' Student Association, and the Decision and Data Science Organization.

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? It looked like a very good opportunity to meet other students that are driven to go above and beyond in their academics, and to gain some teamwork experience with the case competitions. The mentorship program also seemed like a great way to form a connection and have extra guidance throughout college.
Kat, Business ScholarKat

Major: General Management
Minor: Marketing

What activities/organizations are you involved with on campus? I am currently the Vice president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance club, Marketing director for the Meadowbrook Ball Committee, a TA for HC 1000, and a CMI peer mentor.

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? I recognize that as part of the business scholars program, I will have access to knowledge within my field of study from those with experience and expertise in the world of business. I believe that this is a great opportunity that will allow me to succeed in my career and better prepare me for any obstacles with the knowledge gained from this program.
Kaite, Business ScholarKatie

Major: Finance

Why did you choose to participate in the Scholars Program? I wanted a chance to get to know the people I’ll be graduating with and potentially working with in the future. The Scholars program seems to be a fun way to get to know my peers and make friends.

What do you appreciate about the School of Business? I appreciate the welcoming environment that comes with the school of business. Everyone seems very friendly and helpful when it comes to new members.
In the News
Business Scholars tackle post-pandemic strategy in latest case competition
March 8, 2022

In its latest case competition, Business Scholars tackled the challenge facing most organizations today: resetting strategy for a post-pandemic world.

Business Scholars demonstrate advantages of teamwork in November case competition
December 10, 2021

For this competition, the Scholars transported themselves into planning crucial expansion for the mock “Learn Play Grow” educational game startup in southern Europe.

Scholars test growth strategy skills in first case competition of the year
November 4, 2021

In its first case competition of the academic year, five teams of OU Business Scholars faced off to develop strategies to support a Canadian company’s post-pandemic retention and growth.

Business Scholars practice change management in case competition
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.