As part of The School of Business Winter 2026 MBA Leadership Immersion, 35 second-year MBA students took on a fast-paced, 27-hour leadership challenge designed to test their ability to think critically, collaborate effectively, and deliver strategic business solutions under pressure.
Working in five cross-cohort teams, students analyzed a real-world business case provided by Fire Lily Coffee and developed strategic recommendations to present to members of the business community. The immersive experience challenged students to integrate classroom learning with practical application, requiring strong teamwork, time management, and data-driven decision-making throughout the weekend.
"The most valuable lessons often come when there isn't a clear answer," said Tichelle Sorensen, Academic Director of the MBA Program. "This experience encourages students to navigate ambiguity, make thoughtful decisions with limited time, and learn from one another throughout the process. Those are the kinds of leadership skills they'll rely on throughout their careers."
At the conclusion of the competition, two awards were presented. Team On the Rise (Jordyn Vierra, Teo Ramirez, Emily Chhunkeo, Samantha Schmitz, Austin Poland, Troy Perry, and Davis Brown) was named the Overall Winner (Judges’ Choice). The Viking Consulting Group (Julian Moten, Will Snyder, Mahina LaBoy, Y Nguyen, Bradley Nymeyer, Lili Clark, and Jesus M.) received the Audience Choice Award, selected by peers for their presentation and insights.
"The Leadership Immersion was a unique opportunity to step outside the traditional classroom environment and experience what it feels like to solve a complex challenge as a team," said Lili Clark, MBA Student. "The experience strengthened my ability to communicate, adapt, and approach problems from different perspectives while building connections with classmates that will last beyond the program."
The School of Business extends its gratitude to judges Marc Moran, Andrew Schafer, Marcia Walker, Francis Kungu, and Maya Benham for their time and expertise, as well as to Fire Lily Coffee for partnering with the program and sharing their business story with students.
The event highlighted the strength of PSU’s MBA program and showcased the leadership, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills students develop through experiential learning opportunities.
Learn more about the PSU MBA program here.