The 99.2% Advantage: How Experiential Learning is Defining Success for Leeds Graduates
A business degree can lead almost anywhere, but it isn't always obvious where to take it.
A finance student might envision a career on Wall Street without realizing how those same skills could drive decisions at a healthcare company, a technology startup or a nonprofit. Through experiential learning, Leeds students can explore these possibilities by applying classroom knowledge in new environments and discovering where their interests can make a difference.
In the 2025-26 academic year, Leeds expanded these opportunities to help students transition from learning about business to experiencing it. By collaborating with companies and industry professionals on real challenges, students gain insight into business operations, employer expectations and potential areas for contribution. They also learn to connect classroom concepts with real organizational problems.
A key development was the launch of the Nicholas Dante Badami Office of Experiential Learning (BOEL), established through a major gift from CU Boulder alumnus John Cumming and the Cumming Foundation. The office unifies Leeds experiential learning initiatives and strengthens employer partnerships, expanding opportunities for students to apply their education beyond the classroom. Through consulting projects, career treks, case competitions, and other hands-on experiences, students can test their skills, explore career options, and build professional relationships in new fields.
Last school year, BOEL and students partnered with organizations such as Brock USA, a Boulder–based company that specializes in athlete safety products for artificial turf. In this partnership, students applied classroom knowledge to challenges in search visibility, sales operations and business analytics. Instead of hypothetical case studies, students learned how to manage client relationships, handle uncertainty and translate the data into business decisions that were presented to company leaders. These experiences benefited employer partners and provided students with tangible accomplishments they can discuss in interviews and include on their resumes.
"This experience [with Brock USA] confirmed my interest in consulting by showing how much I enjoy solving complex, real-world problems while helping people. It was especially rewarding to take an analytical approach to improving processes and turn that into solutions that impacted their day-to-day work. Seeing the client’s gratitude and excitement at the end of the project made it even more meaningful and reinforced that I want a career where I can combine problem-solving with real impact." - Kaia Jensen '26.
BOEL expanded access to career-building experiences through new partnerships, including Extern, which connects students with flexible, project-based opportunities at companies such as Pfizer, Wayfair, Beats by Dre and Canva. These remote, mentored experiences help students build professional portfolios, grow their networks and gain practical skills.
"What I'll take away most from this experience [with Extern] isn't just the technical skills; it's the confidence of knowing I can sit down with a complex, real-world problem and actually build something that solves it. At a time when AI is reshaping every industry, having that hands-on experience as a young professional feels like an incredible head start, and I'm so grateful to BOEL and Extern for making it possible." - Alex Becker '26.
The results are clear. Despite a challenging job market, 99.2% of reporting graduates from the Class of 2025 secured employment or continued their education (based on an 83.3% knowledge rate, in accordance with National Association of Colleges and Employers guidelines). Connecting classroom learning with real experience ensure Leeds graduates will not only leave with a strong business education, but the confidence, experience and professional stories that launch successful careers.