Massey students will travel to Toronto to test their business skills worldwide
When Dr. Marieta Velikova, director of the Center for Global Citizenship in the Massey College of Business, emailed four business students and asked them to compete in the annual Network of International Business Schools International Case Competition there was one collective response: yes.
The NIBS Worldwide Case Competition is one of the oldest undergraduate competitions of its kind that tests the problem-solving ability, business acumen, cultural insight, communication skills and teamwork of undergraduate students worldwide — making it valuable student opportunity.
“She emailed the four of us, and I knew I couldn’t say no to Dr. Velikova,” said Peter Gorgey, a member of the Belmont Team. “She told us that it’s about the journey and not the result, and that really made me and the rest of the team confident going into it.”
Even during the mad dash of finals and the holiday rush, the students didn’t hesitate to say yes. Not out of obligation or pressure, but because of the respect, trust and personal connection they share with Velikova.
That kind of faculty relationship — where professors truly know and care about their students — is a hallmark of a Massey education, alongside hands-on experiences that prepare students for success beyond the classroom. The case competition is one of those experiences.
A Test of Global Business Skills
Belmont's participation marks the University's return to the competition after more than a decade.
“This network truly focuses on international education and on undergraduate students,” Velikova said. “Other networks focus more on research, but NIBS aligns with Belmont’s mission and commitment to education and students.”
The last time Belmont competed in the competition was in 2011, advancing to the Championship Round but missing finals by a fraction of a point.
This year’s thoughtfully chosen team consists of Gorgey, an entrepreneurship and economics double major, finance and marketing double major Alyssa Joseph, economics and environmental science double major Vicky Gao and international business major Josh Schonland. The team also represent four different nationalities: South Africa, China, Egypt and the United States.
“I wanted to make sure we covered all business fundamentals by having students from different majors so that we were prepared to tackle the business case,” Velikova said. “I also looked for students who would truly complement each other. They had to work together and in a very short time, think critically and come up with results.”
Classroom preparation put to the test
Velikova’s dream team delivered. Students all over the world competed remotely in the Qualifying Round in November.
The challenge began early: Belmont’s team reported to campus at 6 a.m. on a Saturday and had just eight hours to review the business case and propose a concise, well-developed solution, all without internet access.
“All the skills needed to do well in the case were taught in our classes: critical thinking, analyzing data and finding creative solutions,” Gorgey said. “Belmont has done a great job teaching students how to learn and figure things out. That really helped with the case because there are no set parameters, we just had to figure things out using our own brains.”
Among the 16 universities advancing to the NIBS Worldwide Case Competition Championship, Belmont stands as one of just two U.S. teams competing in Championship Round.
Beyond the Competition
Accompanied by Velikova as their coach, the team will travel to Toronto, Canada, from Feb. 16–22. While they are focused on the competition, the experience offers more than the pursuit of a title. The students will also build relationships with international peers and further shaping their identity as global citizens.
“No matter how we do, I hope that the students return with new friends from all over the world,” Velikova said. “It's not just about the competition itself. Talking to a person from China or Europe builds those global connections and shows how similar we all are — I think that's the foundation to build peace.”
Belmont’s place at the NIBS Worldwide Case Competition Championship showcases that our students are being equipped in the classroom to tackle complex problems in global environments and compete in a global workforce.
“These students, as undergraduate students, can say I don't just have experience with business cases, but I also have a record of competing on a global level,” Velikova explained. “It’s valid experience in leadership, public speaking, analytical thinking, solving real business issues and data analysis. This experience is the application of the business knowledge they acquire taking all the classes in the Massey business curriculum.”
As Belmont’s team heads to Toronto, their journey reflects the power of classroom learning, faculty mentorship and the global perspective at the heart of a Massey education.
Learn more about the Massey College of Business