UC News

Lindner First-Year Experience spotlights project-based learning

Students collaborate with 56 employer partners

headshot of Grant Freking By Grant Freking
3 minute read September 28, 2023

The Carl H. Lindner College of Business’ First-Year Experience (FYE), which prepares students to become business problem solvers from day one, has been revamped to center on project strategy. This concentration challenges students to perform a strategic analysis of a business' operations.

The 2023-24 FYE cohort is focusing on project strategy with 56 employer partners, which also functions as the students’ first taste of experiential learning at Lindner.

“We’re grateful and excited to bring these employer partners into our first-year experience. There’s no substitute for employer-based projects, and it’s increasingly important as we roll out universal co-op,” said Jaime Windeler, PhD, associate dean, undergraduate programs and student experience. “Our partners help us bridge academic and professional experiences.”

African American Chamber of Commerce-1

Representatives from the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce (seated) with first-year Lindner students during the Chamber's recent visit to Lindner Hall. Photo/Suzanne Buzek.

  • 84.51
  • Acorn
  • altafiber
  • Ameritas
  • Beechmont Automotive
  • BM2 Freight
  • Cincinnati Reds
  • Cincinnati Youth Collaborative
  • Cintas*
  • Coldwell Banker
  • Deloitte
  • Eastern Personnel Services
  • Enerfab
  • EY
  • Fastenal
  • FC Cincinnati
  • Fifth Third
  • Forvis
  • GE
  • Graeter’s
  • Great American Insurance Group
  • IKEA
  • Isotoner
  • Johnson Investment Counsel
  • JB Hunt
  • KAO Brands
  • Kept House
  • Kolar
  • KPMG
  • Kroger
  • LaRosa’s
  • Loth
  • Motz
  • Northwestern Mutual
  • Paycor
  • Pep Promotions
  • Perfetti Van Melle
  • Phillips Edison
  • Plante Moran
  • P&G
  • Prospiant
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati
  • RSM US LLP
  • Sibcy Cline
  • Skyline
  • State Farm
  • Taste of Belgium
  • Tata Consultancy Services
  • Terracon
  • The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce
  • The Kleingers Group
  • TQL
  • Uber Freight
  • Valley Interior Systems
  • Woody Sander Ford
  • YWCA

*Cintas supports Lindner’s First-Year Experience through scholarships and in-kind contributions that benefit both first-year students and their peer mentors, known as PACE Leaders.

Photos of FYE employer partners visiting Lindner

Over the course of the semester, students will learn more about their respective organizations and perform strategic analyses of their business operations before ultimately presenting their findings to company representatives.

Featured image at top: A Lindner first-year student looks on during a presentation by IKEA. Photo/Danielle Lawrence.

Business learning from day one

Lindner's first-year experience introduces students to opportunities within business, allows them to apply learnings immediately to real companies and finishes the first year strong with a deep understanding of what is expected as they progress through coursework and pursue co-op opportunities.

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