Dear friends,

As the fall semester begins, we welcome a new community of students eager to develop the knowledge, perspective, and leadership skills that will shape their futures. In today’s rapidly changing world, success depends on more than technical expertise or knowledge of the latest tools. It requires leaders who can adapt, solve complex problems, and create meaningful impact within their organizations and communities.

This issue of eDividend highlights how the Carson College prepares students for that responsibility through hands-on learning, entrepreneurial thinking, and partnerships that extend beyond our campuses.

One example is Associate Professor (career track) Chris Cooney’s class, where students worked in teams to develop original business concepts, design functional mobile apps using emerging AI-powered development tools, and then pitch the finished product to their classmates at the end of the semester. The project challenged students to identify real-world problems, gather user feedback, and refine solutions, helping them hone entrepreneurial skills while leveraging emerging technologies to bring their ideas to life.

Our commitment to preparing globally-minded business leaders is also reflected in our growing relationship with CamEd Business School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In just their second time visiting the Pullman campus in as many years, CamEd students shared their entrepreneurial ideas and perspectives with the Carson College’s International Business Club. Partnerships like these enrich the educational experience for students at both institutions by exposing them to new approaches to entrepreneurship and the opportunities and challenges of doing business across borders.

This issue features alumni whose careers demonstrate the many ways business leadership can create lasting impact. Online MBA graduate Devin Johnson has helped organizations navigate large-scale AI adoption while keeping workforce development and organizational effectiveness at the forefront. Executive MBA alum Kathy Fujiwara has combined strategic business leadership with a commitment to entrepreneurship, nonprofit service, and community development through her work with EXEC Hawai’i and Pacific Artisan Collective. Their stories illustrate how Carson graduates are applying business education to meet evolving organizational needs while strengthening the communities they serve.

We also catch up with the teams behind this year’s top Business Plan Competition ventures to learn where their ideas are headed next. In this issue, they reflect on how feedback from judges, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals has influenced the next stage of their ventures, demonstrating that the most valuable outcome of the competition is often the learning that continues long after the awards are presented.

Our research feature demonstrates how Carson faculty continue to generate practical insights for today’s organizations. Drawing on data from World Cup from previous years, Professor Jeremy Beus explores the relationship between initiative, teamwork, and communication, showing that even the most talented individuals achieve better outcomes when their efforts are coordinated toward a shared goal.

As you explore this issue of eDividend, I hope you’ll see the many ways Carson is preparing the next generation of leaders who will strengthen organizations, communities, and industries across Washington and beyond. Thank you for your continued support of the Carson College of Business and the opportunities it creates for our students.

Warm regards,

Debbie Compeau,
Phyllis J. Campbell Endowed Dean