Chaminade Edges out Nine Other Teams to Capture IACBE Award
As guest speaker during the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Graduation/Induction, Michael Rose ’23 spoke highly of his fellow graduates, commending them for recently winning the Best Practices Award at the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) Competition in Orlando, Florida.
“There were a lot of late nights, and a lot of data to absorb and synthesize,” said Rose during the Graduation/Induction ceremony. “We worked hard as a team to bring home this award.”
Rose, along with classmates Epifania Petelo, Ashley Yoshikawa, Michael Rose and Tino Colleo presented to a billion-dollar boat manufacturer, Correct Craft, which chose their findings and recommendations on optimizing the company’s supply chain to mitigate risk and maximize efficiency.
“It was a great way to apply my learning in the classroom to a real-life issue,” Petelo told Talanei News. “It also gave me networking opportunities and an avenue to expand beyond the island community.”
Mentored by professors Guanlin Gao, Richard Kido and Wera Panow-Loui, the students’ presentation, according to the team’s coach and MBA Director and Program Advisor, Eddie Merc, was “a result of countless nights, collaboration and a lot of pizzas.”
“They nailed it,” praised Merc of the Chaminade Team’s presentation, “They worked as a team and accomplished their objectives, and walked away with a first-place win. It was a well-earned victory.”
According to IACBE.org, it is the leading outcomes-based professional accrediting organization for business programs in student-centered colleges and universities throughout the world. The IACBE exists to promote, develop, and recognize excellence in business education.
IACBE judges noted “the winning presentation demonstrated excellence, as it pertains to an institution’s or program’s assurance of learning activities or quality enhancement initiatives.”
To win the award, the Chaminade Team submitted a well-written, carefully edited, and organized description of the poster presentation, including a brief abstract, a detailed description of the methods used for measuring outcomes and conclusion(s) drawn from the assessment results. The submission also provided recommendations based on the conclusion(s) and next steps for further supporting the assurance of learning activities or quality enhancement initiatives.
“It was an incredible experience for our students,” said Dr. Guanlin Gao. “They worked really hard to put together their presentation, and we couldn’t be any prouder.”
Merc and Dr. Pam Estell (who was unable to attend the conference) took a victory lap when they were awarded first place for their research presentation in the Best Practices Poster Session competition. “We donated the winnings of $500 to Aloha United Way,” Merc said. “This conference brings together higher education leaders for informative presentations on all aspects of business education and best practices. We look forward to returning next year.”
