UC's Lindner College of Business Team Takes First Place in National Diversity Case Competition

Four undergraduates from the University of Cincinnati's Carl H. Lindner College of Business captured first place in the IU Kelley School of Business 6th Annual National Diversity Case Competition held Jan. 13-14 in Bloomington, Ind.

The UC team bested 34 universities around the country to take home first place and a check for $7,500. Runners up to the UC team included Indiana University, 2nd place; Louisiana State University, 3rd place; University of Southern California, 4th place; Purdue University, 5th place; University of Washington, 6th place and University of Michigan, 7th place. 

Members of the UC team included sophomore Mical Daniel, Business Fellows member and Information Systems & Marketing major; senior Morgan Eberle, Circle of Excellence member and Accounting & Information Systems major; junior Ayanna Patterson, member of Business Fellows and Carl H. Lindner Honors-PLUS and International Business & Marketing major; and?freshman Chandler Rankin, member of Business Fellows and Marvin P. Kolodzik Business Scholar, and Marketing & Finance major, along with their advisor Adison Nelson, director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Lindner College of Business.

Platinum sponsor Target provided a case on the Role of Gender Toys in Merchandising. Students had to address the question of how they would develop a strategy that delivers on its brand promise of "Expect More. Pay Less." while being inclusive to all families and kids.

The Lindner team proposed a strategy centered around the theme of “Kids Voice. Kids Choice.” Target executives and judges commented that the students were right on the mark as it related to leveraging existing Target initiatives and key partnerships, Nelson says.