University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management

Carlson MBA students value making a difference. In 2005, they began Carlson 4 Community (C4C) to promote volunteerism and community involvement. Each year, they host the Carlson MBA Charity Auction to raise funds for a different local charity.

This spring, they raised $35,000+ to donate to Cookie Cart. A Twin Cities nonprofit, Cookie Cart operates two commercial bakeries in Minneapolis and St. Paul. They use paid work experience at those bakeries, combined with workshops in classrooms, to teach hundreds of teens each year, giving them skills they’ll use in life, leadership, and employment.

Scorching summers, fleeting falls, wild winters, and soppy springs — Minnesota's climate is unique! ☀️🍁❄️💧

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, MN “is fortunate to lie at the center where four major North American ecological regions, or biomes, converge: aspen parklands, prairie grasslands, deciduous forest, and coniferous forest. This diverse natural heritage supports an unusually rich variety of plants, animals, outdoor experiences, and economic opportunities in the state.”

— 1️⃣ —

The drawings seen in these photos are from the , assembled by Business Board, the Carlson School’s undergraduate student government.

“Nobody should be hungry in the state of Minnesota and so if we can contribute to improving the supply chain to feed more of our neighbors, that’s a win,” says Associate Professor Susan Meyer Goldstein as she reflects on a project completed by Supply Chain master’s students this spring.

MS in Supply Chain Management students worked with Second Harvest Heartland (SHH), a leading hunger relief organization, to help them cut hunger in half for all Minnesotans by 2030. In 2023, Minnesotans visited food shelves a record 7.5 million times.

Students were put into four teams and tackled questions about the speed of inventory turnover in various departments (i.e. freezer, cold, dry), looking for areas of necessary improvement for moving more food, and also about the potential for changes to warehouse operations (i.e. layout, labor tasks, etc.).

“When people think about supply chain, they don’t think nonprofits and community impact,” says Trevor Nelson, ‘18 BSB and senior business analyst for supply chain at SHH. “I’ve already seen the impact I’ve been able to make at Second Harvest Heartland with not just my supply chain education, but specifically coming from the Carlson School and all the other aspects of the curriculum that help set you up for success. What was important to me was to take this opportunity to make sure every student in that master’s program knows that their skills and experience can be used to make a difference in the community.”

Learn more about this project, SHH, and MS SCM by reading the full story here: https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/news/supply-chain-masters-students-support-nonprofits-hunger-relief-initiative

Last year, Carlson Business Board (undergraduate student government) assembled 100+ student contributions to make the Carlson Coloring Book, showcasing artistic talent at all levels. Over the summer, we’ll use drawings from this book to highlight different aspects of the Carlson School and campus at large.

(Pick up your own copy of the in Hanson Hall’s Gold Lobby, near the Book Nook!)

We’re beyond of these former Gophers and for winning the PWHL championship last night! 💜🏆 (left to right) Kelly Pannek, ‘19 BSB, Grace Zumwinkle, ‘21 BSB, and Lee Stecklein, ‘17 BSB

The PWHL Minnesota team is lucky to have them!

📸: PWHL

One year ago, Governor Walz signed recreational ma*****na usage into law in Minnesota. But even before then, Minneapolis Cider Company (co-founded during a Carlson School entrepreneurship class) had pivoted to stake a new claim in a rising industry.

Around two years ago, when beverage companies were cleared to make and sell drinks infused with cannabis, their team moved quickly.

“We dropped everything and 19 days later we had created a brand and had liquid in a package,” says David O’Neill, ‘15 BSB. “We were the first to market. And that’s been really driving a lot of sales for us in the last six or so months.”

In fact, that brand—Trail Magic—has grown so quickly (more than 1 million cans sold already) that new dreams began to unfold.

Read more about Minneapolis Cider Company, their founders, and the business’s origins here: https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/news/carlson-cannabis-minneapolis-cider-company

Few know the importance of support more than Summer Doeun Kim, ‘25 MHRIR — without it, she might not be here.

In 2022, Kim’s family home in South Korea was damaged by historic flooding. In 2023, as she started her first semester of graduate school, Kim had to use some of the funds she’d saved for tuition on emergency repairs to prevent further damage to the house.

“I needed another job,” she remembers. “I applied to 50 on-campus positions but didn’t get one. I had gotten my withdrawal paperwork and was going to fill it out when I got off class at 5:00. But then a Carlson office sent me an offer at 4:37 to be their graduate assistant.”

That last-minute support, plus the Alan & Patricia Bickell Fellowship, allowed Kim to continue studying in the Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations (MHRIR) program, which she’d been planning for years.

Originally from Seoul, Kim came to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she earned her bachelor’s from the College of Education and Human Development UMN in Human Resource Development. She’d planned to earn her MHRIR immediately after graduating in 2020, but then COVID struck, and she was worried about how well she’d learn remotely. Instead, she moved back to Korea and spent three years gaining work experience before returning.

Reciprocating the support she’s received in her own life has always been a central motivator for Kim’s passion for human resources. She even wrote about it in her application essay:

“Through this program, I am confident that I will … become a guiding light within the organization — like a lamp post that shines brightly amidst thick fog. Employees will be able to find me during challenging times, as a reliable and unwavering beacon, providing them with guidance and support.”

Mia Vue Jennings, ‘26 BSB, blends two fields that many wouldn’t expect: business and art. Yes, she studies Marketing and Management Information Systems (MIS), but she’s also a prolific artist who’s delved into murals, paintings, illustrations, street art, and digital art.

She painted a mural at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair that, like much of her other work, honored her cultural Hmong American roots. It was inspired by the “paj ntaub,” a traditional Hmong story cloth. The colorful piece featured scenes of family, spirituality, farming, cooking, play, and education.

“Instead of imagining something unattainable, I wanted to show appreciation for what we already have in America and also highlight the traditional values that we still carry with us in our daily lives,” says Jennings.

Having drawn since she was a toddler, her art has been displayed at libraries, childcare centers, and art festivals. Jennings says her parents have supported her the entire way, and were instrumental in deciding to pursue art alongside earning her degree.

“As a business student, I have to remind myself why I’m here and in business—because it also helps me in my art and creative pursuits,” Jennings says. “I’m not just in it to get into a corporate job. I have my own path, and it’s OK that I’m not like everyone else.”

Read more about Jennings and other Carlson community members in the arts here: https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/news/masterful-combination-business-and-arts

Before last Monday's commencement, senior undergraduates celebrated their achievements at the Graduation Celebration on Sunday at the Bell Museum.

Students and their friends and family had full access to the museum's fascinating natural history exhibits, while they reflected on their own history at the Carlson School and the bright futures ahead of them all.

Congrats to every single !

We’re especially of our graduates who earned their degrees while also working full-time — as parents! No job is more difficult, but likewise, no job is more rewarding. The strength and dedication you demonstrated in earning your degree will serve your family well.

And who knows — a few of you may even be raising future of your own!

Some of our students showcased their creativity on their grad caps during Monday's commencement ceremony. Below, swipe through a selection of the ones we managed to photograph! 🎓📸

They did it! Over 1,400 students walked across the stage today, each becoming a in the Class of 2024, joining a global alumni network more than 60,000 strong.

“You arrive here today having stayed the course during a time when our world continues to face unprecedented challenges,” said Dean Jamie Prenkert in his opening. “As a result, society needs leaders like you now more than ever before.”

Linh Peters, ‘05 MBA and former CMO of multiple Fortune 500 companies, was keynote speaker for both ceremonies, and reflected on how community and purpose have impacted her own journey and career.

“My hope is that you will far exceed any goals or expectations that you may be dreaming for yourself today,” she told the graduates. “Worry less about the level of individual prominence that you will achieve, and care more about the individuals that you can help to become better people. This metric will serve you well and you will almost certainly leave an enduring and lasting impact for generations to come.”

Congratulations to all those who earned their degrees today. We are, and always will be, .

At the end of the semester, Senior Week kicked off with the Farewelcome event in the atrium, when soon-to-be graduates said farewell to their student status and were welcomed as alums. This is also the moment each spring when Carlson School students receive their widely coveted gold “alumni” mugs.

Two days ago, Boba tea and a Kahoot about Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month concluded the "Snacks & Crafts" series, a collection of monthly programming at the Equity, Belonging, & Inclusion Hub in the Maroon Lobby.

Once this $40 million building project has transformed 70,000 square feet of the Carlson School, it will be renamed "Marilyn Carlson Nelson Hall" — but just who is this generous philanthropist?

She's an alumna, an accomplished business executive — and daughter of the school’s namesake, Curtis L. Carlson.

It’s the first time in the 160-year history of the University of Minnesota that a female name will grace a campus building because of an individual philanthropic gift. That history-making aspect isn’t lost on its benefactor: “It is my fervent hope that seeing my name on this flagship Carlson School building will attract and inspire more young women to seek business leadership as their opportunity to be a force for good.”

The project will include an additional 3,600 square feet of student collaboration space, including 15 new breakout and single study rooms, as well as an experiential learning suite to house the Carlson Enterprise Programs. The 3M Auditorium will also be redone to expand capacity and update fixings.

To learn more about Marilyn Carlson Nelson and the Connecting Carlson project, read the full story here: carlsonschool.umn.edu/news/marilyn-carlson-nelson-leads-carlson-school-transformation

Mukhtar Ibrahim, ‘24 MBA, went from working as the gatekeeper for a parking ramp to founding the Sahan Journal and gatekeeping diverse narratives often overlooked in mainstream media.

How did he get here, and now that he’s announced he'll step down from his role, where will he go?

Get the inside scoop on Ibrahim’s past, present, and future by reading his story in the Carlson School Magazine here: carlsonschool.umn.edu/news/mukhtar-ibrahim-reflects-sahan-journal-and-mba-journey

These three words have gotten Mia Ashenfelter, ‘24 BSB, through college: “Just try it.”

Originally from Watertown, WI, all Ashenfelter knew was she wanted to go to college somewhere bigger, with plenty of people and perspectives she could learn from.

“I was very undecided about my major and what I wanted to do with my life,” Ashenfelter remembers. “I wasn't researching business schools, their rankings, their internship opportunities.”

Ashenfelter liked the campus when she toured, and when the time came to apply to an area within it, she selected the Carlson School instinctively.

“It taught me that some of the best things come from the most unexpected choices,” she says.

Even after being named a Centennial Scholar, Ashenfelter still felt intimidated during her first semester. She found success through trial and error, ultimately double majoring in Finance and Management Information Systems.

“At first, everyone would be going around introducing themselves, all these go-getters and high-achievers, saying what they’d major in, what their career goals were. Meanwhile, I had no idea,” Ashenfelter admits. “But as I took all these different classes, I saw what I liked best, what activities gave me energy instead of draining me. Carlson does a great job setting up undecided students by exposing them to many majors, which took the pressure off me to decide without prior knowledge.”

Four years later, Ashenfelter’s openness to new experiences led her to serve in many roles on , become a mentor for Carlson Crew and , work as a teaching assistant, and do consulting for the first time by participating in the Leadership Lab.

“Trying all these things taught me how to find a balance,” she reflects. “Having all these commitments on top of my course load made me prioritize my time and helped me overthink less. I’ve learned it’s okay to not get 100% every time as long as I’m always trying my best. My best is enough. ”

Thank you to everyone who attended last night’s Scholarship Reception!

To our benefactors: thank you for helping so many of our students on their journey through college. To our students: thank you for representing the Carlson School so well through the kindness of your actions and the excellence of your achievements.

We’re to have such a supportive community!

Last week, the Carson School’s undergraduate student government (Business Board) hosted “Business Week,” a week-long series of events to promote school spirit at the end of the year.

Treats included Cherry Berry, a breakfast buffet, and Jimmy John’s. Events included a scavenger hunt, tote bag painting, an awards dinner, a silent disco, and a dodgeball tournament.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and a special shout-out to the Student Life & Career Design team for co-hosting the week.

We're to share six students and five student groups who were recognized at last night's Business Week Dinner:

Individual Awards:
Josh*tha Panguluri, '27 BSB — Future Business Leader (Underclassmen)
Ethan Yao, '25 BSB — Future Business Leader (Upperclassmen)
Tairyn Smith, '25 BSB — Community Leader (Underclassmen)
Jillian Buenger, '25 BSB — Community Leader (Upperclassmen)
Max Minakov, '24 BSB — Rising Entrepreneur (Underclassmen)
Shalom Weatherspoon, '24 BSB — Rising Entrepreneur (Upperclassmen)

Group Awards:
Student Marketing Association - SMA — Club of the Year
Women in Business - University of Minnesota — Club of Distinction
National Association of Black Accountants - UMN — Literacy Advocate
Business Association of Multicultural Students - BAM — Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer
Scholars of Finance — Emerging Club of the Year

The spring issue of the Carlson School Magazine highlights stories of those in our community who are pushing boundaries. Visit our site (carlsonschool.umn.edu/magazine/spring-2024) to read these feature stories:

• Marilyn Carlson Nelson leads $40 million transformation of the Carlson School
• Mukhtar Ibrahim reflects on building the Sahan Journal, his MBA journey, and what’s next
• Minneapolis Cider Company’s origins and future, ran by three UMN alums
• Business and the arts blend together for these three Carlson community members
• Undergrad experiential learning works with Special Olympics Minnesota, Dinkytown Athletes
• MBA alum takes on the Gobi Desert Challenge, a grueling marathon

Pitching is essential to any entrepreneur—so in Intro to Entrepreneurship, students learn it in the first four weeks. Their skills are put to the test (literally) during Pitch Week, when students convince the class to “invest” in their idea. For Assistant Professor Sandy Yu, who’s been teaching MGMT: Intro to Management since 2018, it’s her favorite week.

“The pitch is a very defined format: 90 seconds, give me the most important things that as an investor and as a potential user I need to know,” Yu said. “The pitch is really a practice on persuading the audience to buy into your idea. It pushes the students to focus on just the most important things that the audience should take away.”

This course, and the skills gained from Pitch Week, are valuable even if a student never launches or works for a start-up.

“Even if you don't start a company, you will be in a position where you need to convince a teammate or a manager to get on board with a project,” Yu said.

Based on the 90-second pitch, students vote on the most compelling ideas and presentations. These projects will be worked on in teams for the rest of the semester, so students can learn about the next steps in preparing to launch a company.

Learn more about MGMT 3015 and Pitch Week here: https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/news/pitch-week-sparks-innovation-mgmt-3015

Congratulations to Mya Hooten of Minnesota Women's Gymnastics for taking 1st in Big 10 Bars, Floor, and Vault a couple weeks ago! With these three wins, Mya is now a SIX-time conference champion.

We’re to share that when she’s not collecting trophies, Mya is earning her Master of Human Resources & Industrial Relations at the Carlson School.

📸: Gopher Athletics

Many business school students participate in case competitions throughout their experience—but how many can say they’ve planned one? CoMIS has been hosted by undergraduate students since 2011 at the Carlson School, benefitting participants and coordinators alike.

“We do everything—the event coordination, the communications, designing apparel, getting professionals and keynote speakers to attend, it’s pretty much all up to us,” said Ingrid Hildebrand, ‘24 BSB. She co-chaired this year’s event, which drew 11 teams from institutions as far as Singapore, Canada, Hungary, and the Netherlands.

The students have the assistance of Ken Reily, Senior Lecturer in Information & Decision Science, on one major factor: the case. He finds a company to write the case, and coordinates all pieces of it so that it is a surprise to everyone on the day it is released. This year, students were challenged to develop a strategy to increase efficiency and scale a bootcamp-style business for Dev10,

“The biggest thing I’ve taken away from this experience is stakeholder management,” said Gabriella Locher, ‘24 BSB, this year’s other co-chair. “It’s something I didn’t think about super deeply before. Making sure everyone’s perspectives are accounted for has been really helpful to the success of CoMIS.”

Learn more about CoMIS and its planning here: https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/news/students-lead-comis-case-competition

Did you know that 75% of incoming first-years and 45% of transfer students are still exploring majors, at UMN? 🤯

That’s where the Carlson Major Showcase comes in. This event exposes undergraduate students to all 11 majors available to them — at one time, in one place. More than 300 students, staff, and faculty connected in the atrium yesterday, as they shared and learned information about different programs.

The showcase was co-hosted by Student Life & Career Design and Academic Advising.

Last week marked the Carlson School's third annual Ally Week, a week-long series of events, speakers, and workshops focused around allyship and the many avenues it can take. Open to all faculty, staff, and students the hope of this program is to promote an inclusive and actively engaged community across the school.

A key lesson from this year's week of events was to focus on the action of allyship, rather than just the identity of being an ally. Beyond a label, being an ally involves a personal commitment to fighting oppression, reflected by taking steps to:

• Educate oneself about different identities and experiences
• Challenge one’s own discomfort and prejudices
• Learn and practice the skills of being an ally
• Take action to create interpersonal, societal, and institutional change