02.21.09 - Education Pioneers Alumni take top prize at the Haas School of Business Education Leadership Case Competition
On February 20th and 21st, 2009, the Haas School of Business hosted the 3rd annual Education Leadership Case Competition (ELCC), a showcase for MBAs and other graduate students from top universities nationwide. The competition, co-sponsored by Education Pioneers, culminated with first place going to Harvard University (Harvard Business School/Kennedy School of Government) and second place going to New York University (Stern School of Business).
The winning team included Education Pioneers Alumni Suzanne Anthony (2008 Bay Area) and Kyle Goss (2008 Bay Area), as well as current Fellow Jevan Soo (2009 DC Metro Area). The Stern team included current Fellow Cindy Mino (2009 Bay Area).
In total, almost 50% of team participants were Education Pioneers Alumni or 2009 Fellows.
Co-President of the Haas Education Leadership Club, Erik Brown (2008 Bay Area), says, "the Education Pioneers network from this summer was very helpful in spreading the word about the competition, and a concrete result was that we had about twice as many applications as available slots for teams."
Wellesley Fraser (2008 Bay Area) was also on the team of organizers.
The purpose of the ELCC is threefold:
- To bring attention to a critical, real-time issue in education
- To provide an opportunity for talented and dedicated graduate students to create potential solutions to issues facing US public education
- To provide an opportunity for MBAs and other graduate students to network and form relationships with current and future education leaders nationwide
The 2009 ELCC concentrated its efforts on helping Washington DC Public Schools (DCPS). The two-day case competition at Haas focused on helping DCPS develop a comprehensive human capital strategy and consider the implications of merit pay. Teams focused on a variety of issues, including rebranding DCPS, incorporating lessons from corporate human capital development efforts, developing multiple career paths for teachers, providing referral bonuses, exploring more strategic partnerships with universities, and providing support across the human capital development value chain.
Education Pioneers 2009 Bay Area Fellow Michelle Florendo is already planning next year's case competition for winter 2010.
