SUNY Potsdam Business Administration Student Team Wins Honors at International Business Ethics Case Competition in San Francisco
From left, Alexander Smith ’25, Tyson Beaudin ’26, Dr. Edwin Portugal, Alyssa Stephens ’26, Tawaiian Holmes ’25, and Lyvia Chambers ’25 recently returned from a trip to San Francisco where Portugal’s five students competed in the 28th International Business Ethics Case Competition. The students won three second place trophies for their analysis of fast fashion—highlighting critical ethical abuses including environmental pollution due to overproduction, overworked factory workers, and excessive consumption by Generation Z consumers.
Viewing the Golden Gate Bridge, riding the world-famous San Francisco cable car, and walking the “crookedest street in the world” were all part of the experience of five SUNY Potsdam students who traveled to compete in the intercollegiate 28th International Business Ethics Case Competition (IBECC) held in San Francisco from April 9 to 11.
Twenty universities competed in different divisions and categories at the event, which was held at San Francisco State University’s downtown campus. Trophies were awarded to the overall winner and the runner up in the undergraduate and graduate divisions in three different categories, requiring them to make 25-minute, 10-minute, and 90-second presentations.
SUNY Potsdam’s Department of Business Administration was represented by Tyson Beaudin ’26, Lyvia Chambers ’25, Tawaiian Holmes ’25, Alexander Smith ’25 and Alyssa Stephens ’26. Professor of Business Administration Dr. Edwin J. Portugal served as the faculty advisor.
The SUNY Potsdam student team won a total of three second place trophies in different groups in the undergraduate division in each of the categories. The teams presented a business ethics scenario that included a synopsis, financial issues, business operations issues, legal issues, ethical issues and recommendations.
The SUNY Potsdam team selected the controversial ethical issue of “fast fashion,” which refers to the rapid production of inexpensive clothing designed to meet the latest trends. Focusing on the Shein company, it that holds the largest market share in the fast fashion industry, the team highlighted three critical ethical abuses of environmental pollution due to overproduction, overworked factory workers and over-the-top mass consumption of Generation Z consumers. The team recommended educating Gen Z consumers about the ethics of overconsumption and implementing a program for return, recycle and reuse of clothes purchased.
“The SUNY Potsdam team explored the topic extensively and wrote a research paper that included two polls conducted on campus to support the recommendation for a reuse and recycle program to be implemented,” said Dr. Portugal. “The judges in the competition were practicing corporate ethics compliance officers, business executives, and business owners from various countries. A business executive commented that this type of competition experience is valued by business organizations. The mental preparation and the emotional toughness to make a presentation, and on top of that, to compete internationally, gave our students the opportunity to showcase their analytical skills, presentation skills and competitive spirit.”
The team was formed randomly from among students in Portugal’s business ethics course in the Spring 2025 semester. They had to work cohesively, agree on a controversial ethical issue to focus on, write a research paper and come up with a compelling presentation. The team practiced their presentation several times while still in Potsdam, and later in San Francisco, in their hotel lobby, at the public library, and in the hallways and classrooms of San Francisco State University.
Stacey Chambers, a mother of one of the students, flew to the competition to watch her daughter, Lyvia.
“The Potsdam team certainly was filled with nerves and excitement, but once they were in front of the judges, they were able to turn that into confidence and professionalism. All five members of the team showcased one by one how truly knowledgeable they were on their subject, not to mention how Professor Portugal mentored them to be successful in articulating their case for this competition. It was incredible to not only be there to witness the success of this team on a whole, but to experience the excitement of winning second place trophies in all three of the categories they presented in,” said Chambers. “This was a trip that I will forever treasure!"
“The San Francisco IBECC competition was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever been a part of, and not just in terms of academics. Our team worked on this project for months before finally being able to bring it to judges across the country. It was a very special moment being able to work together and present the ideas to professionals that we worked so hard to articulate,” said Alyssa Stephens, who was the team manager. “I have never been so proud to be a part of a group where we all come together to not just be professionals but get to have some fun at the end of the day as well. Having the chance to explore the city with the team and spending some nights talking about post academic life in the hotel and laughing until my stomach hurt are just a few of the things that I will never forget about this trip. I want to thank Dr. Portugal and his wife, Susan, SUNY Potsdam and most importantly my team for this once in a lifetime experience.”
From left, Alexander Smith ’25, Tyson Beaudin ’26, Alyssa Stephens ’26, Tawaiian Holmes ’25, and Lyvia Chambers ’25 recently returned from a trip to San Francisco where they competed in the 28th International Business Ethics Case Competition, where they won three second place trophies for their analysis of the fast fashion industry.
“This was a really meaningful experience that helped me grow in a lot of ways. Preparing for the presentation definitely challenged me, especially when it came to presenting in front of judges, but I could feel myself getting better with every practice run. Working with my team made a huge difference. We turned an idea into something we were genuinely proud of, so it felt incredibly rewarding to see the judges recognize that,” said team member Tyson Beaudin. “I’m grateful we had the opportunity to represent SUNY Potsdam and share what we created. On top of that, getting to explore San Francisco with my team made the trip even more memorable. We didn’t just work well together, we built real friendships and shared moments I’ll hold onto long after this class.”
“Competing in the business ethics competition in San Francisco was an unforgettable experience. Going into it, I was nervous, especially about presenting in front of judges, but the process pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. I learned so much, not just about our topic, but about teamwork, communication, and what it takes to bring an idea to life,” said team member Alex Smith. “Representing SUNY Potsdam with my team was something I felt genuinely proud of, and the support we gave each other made a huge difference. Beyond the competition itself, exploring the city and sharing those memories with my group made the trip even more special. It’s an experience I’ll always be grateful for.”
“I had the privilege of presenting in both the 25-minute and 10-minute segments, and it was an incredibly rewarding experience. A heartfelt thank you to my teammates, professors, family, friends, and the IBECC judges for their support and for making this experience truly unforgettable,” said team member Lyvia Chambers. “Competing at such a high level gave me valuable insight into the professional world and what it’s like to work in a business setting. At the same time, getting to explore the city made the trip even more memorable, including walking through iconic neighborhoods, seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, and enjoying the unique vibe of San Francisco. It was the perfect balance between professional growth and personal freedom, making the whole experience both enriching and exciting.”
“My team and I had the incredible opportunity to compete at IBECC. I participated in both the 25-minute team presentation and the individual 90-second pitch. The nerves were real, especially right before stepping into the room, but the way my team fed off each other’s energy during questioning showed just how well we worked together,” said team member Tawaiian Holmes. “After that first round, we shook off the nerves and focused on preparing for the final day. I had to rewrite my entire pitch that morning based on feedback, and the only part I felt sure about was one line: ‘And the environment?’ I practiced everywhere, walking, eating, even in the lobby of the university. With help from my team, who threw distractions my way to prepare me for the real deal, we got it down to a perfect 88 seconds, very close to the limit of 90 seconds. When I finally stepped up to present, their support, along with Professor Portugal, and his wife, Susan, cheering me on, gave me the confidence to deliver. Hearing myself say the words, ‘Because what we do today affects tomorrow’ felt like the moment that everything came together.”
“Being named runner-up in all categories, including the 90-second pitch, was surreal especially knowing how last-minute it all came together. This experience was unforgettable, filled with teamwork, growth and memories I’ll carry forever. Thank you to my amazing team, our school, and Professor Portugal, for preparing me for the competition pitch starting in my sophomore class with him by doing an elevator pitch in an actual elevator in Dunn Hall three years ago, leading to the IBECC stage in my senior year,” added Holmes.
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.