Registration opens for Mendoza’s DEI Case Competition

Registration is now open for the second annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grow the Good in Business Case Competition. The competition presents a new challenge for participating students: financial inclusion; specifically, increasing access to and the quality of financial services in underserved markets.

The competition, organized by the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, is aimed at finding innovative business solutions for advancing DEI at work and in communities. Mendoza graduate students, and for the first time, undergraduate students are invited to participate as a hands-on opportunity to apply their business acumen to a real-life case presented by sponsors Kemper and KPMG.

“Our DEI Grow the Good in Business Case Competition is an educational opportunity that complements Mendoza’s academic and career-related curriculum and encourages students to broaden their skills and perspectives in a way that will be beneficial in their full-time roles,” said Kristen Collett-Schmitt, associate dean for Innovation and Inclusion at Mendoza College of Business. “We are excited to see the impact of the innovative and inclusive work that comes from this competition on business and society.”

The kickoff event takes place at 10:30 a.m. ET on February 10 in the Stayer Center Commons A. The event features brief presentations from the sponsors, a Q&A session about the case and networking opportunities with the sponsors. Registration closes and Round One submissions are due at 11:59 p.m. ET on March 10. The top 10 finalists will be announced on March 20 and the top three teams on April 6. The competition’s closing event takes place at 10 a.m. ET on April 21 in the Stayer Center Commons A, where the winners will be announced. Teams can register for the competition here.

In addition to Kemper and KPMG, sponsors include the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership, ADP, 1st Source Bank, Gibson Insurance and the South Bend/Elkhart Regional Partnership. Strategic partners include the Jubilee Initiative for Financial Inclusion (JIFFI), Aperian Global and the Fanning Center for Business Communication.

During the DEI competition’s three rounds, student teams will showcase their problem-solving, leadership and presentation skills while learning the value of creating an inclusive environment that promotes mutual advancement. The teams are required to present their proposed solution in writing and in person before a panel of distinguished judges that includes representatives from the sponsoring organizations and Mendoza leadership.

The competition is open to Mendoza undergraduates and graduates, who will compete in teams for $35,000 in prizes, with top prizes of $10,000 awarded to the winning undergraduate and graduate teams.

Visit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Grow the Good in Business Case Competition for more information.