Expand the section navigation mobile menu
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
[email protected]

Karen Person
Assistant Director of Experiential Programs
[email protected]

We are excited to recruit Business Scholars for the 2024-2025 academic year.

2024-2025 Business Scholar Recruitment Timeline

  • Application Opens: Thursday, January 4, 2024
  • Application Closes: Thursday, January 25, 2024
  • Interviews Start: Monday, January 29 - Thursday, Feb 8, 2024
  • New Students Announced for the Fall 2024/Winter 2025 Academic Year: Monday, February 12, 2024

Interested in learning more/serving in this role? Please let us know.

Business Scholars  
Luis Sanchez headshot

Luis

Major: Finance

Why did you choose Oakland University? I came here from Venezuela to Oakland University to study at the English as a Second Language program (ESL). I always planned to go back and get my Bachelors in Venezuela. Nonetheless, every time that I was walking around campus, I had the feeling that OU was where I belonged, it made me feel that I was on the way to be successful. 

More: Luis thinks the focus Oakland University's business curriculum places on experiential learning is among its most intriguing features.

A headshot of Business Scholar, Ayilah.

Ayilah

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.

A headshot of Business Scholar, Daniel H.

Daniel

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.

A headshot of Business Scholar, Kat.

Kat

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.

A headshot of Business Scholar, Katie.

Katie

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.

A headshot of Business Scholar, Zohaib.

Zohaib

Major: Accounting and Finance
Minor: Entrepreneurship

What activities/organizations are you involved with on campus?
I am involved in many activities/organizations such as the Pakistani Student Association, Muslim Student Association, Collegiate DECA, Oakland Accounting Student Information Society, Entrepreneurs In Action, Emerging Leaders, Brain Exercise Initiative, Financial Management Association, Oakland University Student Philanthropy Committee, Society for Applied Investing and Financial Education, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, Honors College Student Association and Oakland University Student Congress.

Why did you choose Oakland University?

Oakland was the perfect fit for me. It had plenty of prestigious honors programs, a multitude of extracurricular clubs, and so many majors to choose from. It also made it really easy to choose my classes by giving me a huge variety of courses, timings, and professors to choose from while also telling me exactly which classes I need to get my degree.

A headshot of Business Scholar, Dan.

David

Major: Finance
Minor: Spanish Language

What is the most interesting aspect of the Scholars program?
By far the most interesting aspect of this Business Scholars Program is its networking and community qualities. Everybody I have met in this program shares my passion and drive for educational and career success.

Why did you choose Oakland University?
I chose to attend Oakland University because I am from Rochester, Michigan, and grew up driving by it and thinking about what it would be like to attend.

Scotty Barrett headshot

Scott

Major: Finance

What is the most interesting aspect of the Scholars program?
Business scholars is great because it brings together all sorts of business students. It’s a collaboration of different ideas, passions, and cultures. Working alongside equally motivated people is awesome. It’s really a unique group.

Why did you choose Oakland University?
I chose Oakland University because it has a strong school of business and reputable faculty. The school offers a variety of business major and I found finance to be my passion. Additionally, its location in Michigan provides opportunities for internships and connections in various industries.

A headshot of Business Scholar, Paige

Paige

Major: Finance

What is the most interesting aspect of the Scholars program?
The case competitions would be the most interesting aspect because we get to work together and come up with real solutions to help businesses.

Why did you choose Oakland University?
I chose Oakland because I thought with population size, I would be able to build connections. From my experience, the people here have a way of making me feel like I'm more than just a number.

A headshot of Business Scholar, Emilio.

Emilio

Major: Finance
Minor: Business Analytics

What is the most interesting aspect of the Scholars program?
Can't wait to see the creativity of others and to learn from others.

Why did you choose Oakland University?
Oakland University was close to home and offered a very strong opportunity to enhance my knowledge about Business.

A headshot of Business Ambassador, Sam.

Sam

Major: Finance
Minor: Computer Science

What is the most interesting aspect of the Scholars program?
Being able to work with case competitions.

Why did you choose Oakland University?
Proximity from home and small class sizes.

A headshot of Business Scholar, Daniel.

Daniel

Major: Undecided

What is the most interesting aspect of the Scholars program?
The case competitions and the opportunity to have a mentor really caught my attention. I felt that working towards joining the program would be worth while and a good way to meet other like-minded students.

Why did you choose Oakland University?
I chose OU mostly because of how close it was to home. Before I came to OU, I had also heard that the business school was one of the best around. Others who have transferred here have told me they agree with that when compared to their former university.

A headshot of Business Ambassador, Charlie.

Charles

Major: Marketing

What is the most interesting aspect of the Scholars program?
The mentorship from working professionals and the opportunity to work closely with peers in other areas of the SBA in case competitions is the most interesting aspect for me. I thrive on collaboration, and this program serves as an opportunity to work with and learn from folks who have put in the time and are established in their field as well as my peers who make up the next generation of changemakers!

Why did you choose Oakland University?
After taking a step back from another program of study, I moved home and decided I wanted to study Marketing. Oakland stood out as a phenomenal transfer institution where I could get a great education, make meaningful connections with professionals from a wide variety of industries in the area, and make use of a wide range of other opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun before graduation.

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).

Special thanks to Oakland University Credit Union for their support of the Dean's Choice Awards, presented at an upcoming Case Competition.

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 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.

School of Business Administration

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