SUNY Potsdam Business Administration Virtual Student Team Wins Honor at International Business Ethics Case Competition in Los Angeles
Student teams from SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Business Administration recently won trophies at the intercollegiate International Business Ethics and Sustainability Case Competition (IBESCC) sponsored by the Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
aTwo SUNY Potsdam teams competed, with one team taking part virtually and the other traveling to Los Angeles to present in front of judges composed of corporate ethics compliance officers, corporate executives, academics and business owners from around the world. The teams competed in a field of 59 teams representing 41 universities in seven countries, with more than 270 total participants, as well as more than 85 judges reviewing 42 divisions. Teams were assigned different divisions and competed in three different categories.
“I am proud of our team that competed virtually because they had the added challenge of speaking to cameras on their computer screens instead of facing the judges in person,” Professor of Business Administration Dr. Edwin J. Portugal, who served as the faculty advisor. “The team practiced their presentations facing their computers to simulate the real competition. And on the day of the competition, they were all together in a study room in the Lougheed Learning Commons with each member facing their own screens while presenting with their PowerPoint slides.”
The virtual group won a second-place trophy in the 90-second elevator pitch presentation category, mirroring the success of their in-person classmates, who took home two trophies themselves from the event.
The first category was a full 25-minute presentation of a business problem, including an analysis of the ethical, sustainable, legal and financial aspects of the issue, and a viable solution on all fronts. The second was an abbreviated 10-minute presentation in which teams incorporated suggestions given by judges during the 25-minute presentation, expanding on the ethical aspect of the business case. The last category was a quick 90-second elevator pitch explaining the importance of one or more of the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals.
On the virtual team, SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Business Administration was represented by:
- Benjamin Presley ’27 of Greenwich, CT
- Jack McCandless ’27 of Victor, NY
- Gabrielle Luna ’27 of Schenectady, NY
- Andrew Gubbins ’27 of South Pomfret, VT
- Jakub Hall ’27 of Anchorage, AK
The group, dubbing themselves MarketDash Consulting, argued to strengthen the DoorDash delivery company by expanding benefits for its driver workforce while maintaining operational flexibility. The team added that investing in driver well-being is an ethical, as well as a strategic business decision that supports sustainable growth while reinforcing DoorDash’s leadership position in the gig-economy marketplace.
“The achievements of our students at the International Business Ethics and Sustainability Case Competition reflect the very best of SUNY Potsdam’s mission to foster both professional excellence and ethical leadership. Our MarketDash Consulting team demonstrated remarkable resilience and intellectual depth, particularly in navigating the unique challenges of a virtual forum to advocate for sustainable business practices within the global economy,” said Interim Dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies Jaime Cruikshank ’92 & ’97. “I am immensely proud of their hard work and the collaborative spirit they displayed, especially as student-athletes balancing rigorous academic and athletic schedules. We are also deeply grateful to Dr. Ed Portugal for his commitment to providing such a high-impact, transformative experience. His mentorship is instrumental in preparing our students to lead with integrity and foresight in an increasingly complex global marketplace.”
“Preparing for this competition was a great experience that was both tough and rewarding. As a group, we were able to cohesively work through an ethical issue that was important to us,” said Benjamin Presley ’27, who represented the team in the 90-second elevator pitch in which he won a runner-up trophy. “Throughout this process, teamwork and communication were skills that we had to emphasize, and were a major reason for the success as a group. Being able to compete online in a nationwide competition was a new challenge that pushed me to be detailed and precise with my research and analysis of the legal dimensions of our topic. Being able to get feedback from real professionals in the industry was a great experience as well. Overall, this project and presentation made me develop and enhance important skills and gave me a great experience.”
“Preparing for this competition turned out to be both challenging and rewarding. As a team, we worked closely together to address an ethical issue that mattered to us, and our success really came from strong communication and teamwork throughout the process. Competing online in a nationwide setting was a new experience that pushed me to be more precise and detailed in my research, especially when analyzing the ethical aspects of our topic,” said Jakub Hall ’27, who served as the team manager. “It required us to think critically, consider different perspectives, and make well-supported decisions as a group. Throughout the project, we had to stay organized, manage our time effectively, and hold each other accountable to ensure everything was completed at a high level. There were moments where we had different opinions, but those discussions ultimately strengthened our final outcome, by allowing us to explore multiple viewpoints before coming to a decision. Getting feedback from professionals in the field also added a lot of value to the experience, as it gave us insight into how real-world decisions are evaluated and judged.”
“Participating in the online IBESCC competition was a unique and rewarding experience for me. All the hours spent in the library and practicing at home really paid off and we all felt confident going into the competition. As everyone in our group is also a student athlete here at Potsdam, it took a lot of coordination and planning to work around our schedules,” said Andrew Gubbins ’27. “Once we Zoomed into the official Zoom it was nerve-wracking at first, but we were prepared and once it was time for the questions at the end, we had great answers for the judges. One thing that stood out was we all answered questions that were not necessarily ‘our part’ of the presentation, which the judges loved because it showed we had a great overall knowledge of our topic. Overall, this competition helped me improve my presentation skills and think deeply into an ethical issue.”
“Throughout the semester, we spent countless hours prepping for IBESCC in the library, researching our topic, writing scripts, and continuously rehearsing our presentations to refine every detail. Since our group competed in the online division, we also had to prepare for presenting through Zoom, while adjusting to a different time zone, as the competition was held on the West Coast,” said Gabriella Luna ’27. “I truly enjoyed working with my group throughout the process, as everyone brought positive energy, dedication and unique strengths to the team. It was especially meaningful to work together on an ethical issue we all cared about, which made the experience even more engaging and rewarding. By building on those strengths, we were able to succeed not only as individuals, but as a cohesive and effective team. This whole experience, although very time-consuming, was incredibly rewarding and an experience I’ll continue learning from.”
“This experience of being a part of the LMU online business competition was great. Preparing for the competition was a bit nerve-wracking, but as a group, the more we practiced, the more comfortable we were, and that showed in our presentation. With each practice session, we had gotten better and better. We were really proud of the work we put in, and this experience will set us up for success in the future,” said Jack McCandless ’27.
SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Business Administration offers flexible bachelor’s and master’s degrees in competitive fields, and provides students with an understanding of how for-profit and non-profit organizations function efficiently and effectively in the global marketplace. The College offers its undergraduate business administration program both at the Potsdam campus and in Watertown, N.Y., at Jefferson Community College. Its Master of Science program in management is offered 100 percent online, to serve graduate students around the world. For more information, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/BusinessAdmin.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.