Consulting Challenge

Each year, first year students are divided into teams and given a consulting project from a large Minnesota company (past companies include Medtronic, American Express Financial Advisors, Data Recognition Corp., & United Health Group to name a few).  Students arrive at the sponsoring organization and are handed a packet that outlines a real organizational problem, and are told to come up with a solution in just over a day.  Solutions are presented to an executive panel from the host company, and a panel of I/O Psychologists, who judge the proposals and declare a winner.

"This experience pushes you to your limits, and beyond.  Since this experience, I have realized I am capable of more than I ever thought possible," says Ryan Riley, a member of the winning team from the 2004 competition.  He continues, "I honestly don't think I would ever get an opportunity to participate in a school project of this scope anywhere else in the country."

Winning Teams:

2007 - Hosted by Target
Jessica Gertz and Rahki Patel

2006 - Hosted by Medtronic
Michael Durando, Josh Ingalls and Sangeeta Shrestha

2005 - Hosted by 3M
Jennifer Harden, Crystal Newman and Tera Brown

2004 - Hosted by American Express
Adam Massie, Ryan Riley and Jason Hornberg

2003 - Hosted by Data Recognition Corp.
Aimee Cardwell, Kevin Meyer and Justin Yurkovich

2002 - Hosted by United Health Group
Priya Kannan, Ashley Guidroz and Anneliese Soldner

2001 - Hosted by United Health Group
Lisa Earls, Marissa Loch and Lonna Smart

2000 - Hosted by American Express
Sara Koschmeder and Andy Dybvig

1999 - Hosted by American Express
Mike Mueller, Theresa Hopke and Ghaist Touma

1998 - Hosted by Health Partners
John Congemi and Jodi Toman

1997 - Hosted by American Express
Jeff Gunderson, Lisa Barnett and John Aspenson

1996 - Hosted by American Express
Tera Hager, Teresa Kirkpatrick and Steve Netsch

1995 - Hosted by United Way
Sheri Lunsford and Patricia Naas