2021 in Review
Driving Change Amid Challenges
There’s no question 2021 was a year of challenges, but at the Leeds School of Business, it was also one of opportunities. Here’s a look at last year’s successes and the momentum we’re bringing into 2022.
Top Stories of 2021
Starting off Strong
In launching two new additions to its MBA portfolio last year, Leeds managed to exceed its high expectations for the incoming classes. The new Executive MBA and Hybrid MBA cohorts bring a diverse set of work and life experiences to the programs, creating rich interactions between peers and stimulating conversations with faculty.
Never Stop Exploring
As the new associate dean of undergraduate programs, Laura Kornish wants students to embrace exploration as they consider their career paths—which sets them up for the creativity and flexibility they’ll need navigating a changing jobs market.
MBAs Aim to #BeTheChange
Leeds MBAs formed the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee to confront challenges of racism and inequality that drew national attention in 2020. The program was shared throughout CU and supported the Barney Ford Fellowship Fund for Diversity.
Student Spotlight: Undergraduate Class of 2025
The fall 2021 freshman cohort is the most competitive and academically qualified in Leeds' history.
Student and Alumni Athletes
Passing the Torch
CU sent its 100th athlete to the Olympics this summer. Here’s a look at its first, David Bolen, who competed in the 1948 Games before a lifetime of impact in the diplomatic service.
‘Ninja’ Star
Leeds undergrad Nate Hansen said his education helped him advance to the finals of ‘American Ninja Warrior,’ which tests contestants’ physical and mental toughness.
Research Awards
Echo Boom
Unlike news or politics, “a financial context is a surprising place to see echo chambers.” But that’s just what Tony Cookson’s research found. A working paper on his findings won best paper awards from the Western Finance Association, Chicago Quantitative Alliance and Midwest Finance Association.
Virtual Volunteers
During the pandemic, most in-person volunteerism was off-limits. Humanitarian Operations and Crisis Management recognized Gloria Urrea’s work on using virtual platforms to leverage novice volunteers with a best paper award.
Data Driver
Data’s complexity poses a challenge to marketers, whose digital campaigns are often unsophisticated. Rico Bumbaca won the Kahle Family Research Award for his work on a distributed algorithm that allows for better analytical insights and real-world use.
Power Play
Strategy expert Michael Porter, of Harvard Business School, hosted a fireside chat at Leeds with Tony Tong to talk about political innovation, how gridlock benefits those in power—and the role of business in breaking those logjams.
Marketing Maker
The Marketing Science Institute—arguably the most important industry-academia think tank in the discipline—announced that John Lynch will serve as its executive director in 2022-23.
Play On
Leeds’ video series on faculty thought leadership included thought-provoking takes with Jeff York, on the role of entrepreneurship in addressing climate change, and Phil Fernbach, on how memory contributes to investor overconfidence.
Alumni and Community Involvement
26,100 alumni and friends participated in Leeds programming
6,927 alumni connected with the Leeds network for the first time
1,082 alumni and friends are mentors for Leeds students
2,522 individuals made a gift to Leeds
687 Leeds students received donor-funded scholarships
Faces of Leeds celebrates members of the community and the impact they have on Leeds, CU Boulder and the world.
Kristi Ryujin recently became special assistant to the dean for DEI initiatives; she also is associate dean for graduate programs. Improving diversity is core to her mission: “Ensuring everyone has access to new skills is the job of everyone in higher education.”
For Yashi Uppalapati, entrepreneurship is a family affair—her mom and dad have both started businesses. Her work as a model has given her the confidence to explore that path, too: Thanks to her runway work and education, “I’ve learned a lot about pushing my limits.”
What makes Lane Levine such a valuable engineer at SpaceX? His business minor helps him see problems differently: “Having this broad knowledge of how the business world works will be very beneficial to me, both as an engineer and, hopefully, an entrepreneur.”
A love of puzzles helped Claire McCollough first get interested in Alteryx. Her enthusiasm for learning, and her Leeds education, helped her place fifth overall in a global Alteryx competition; she was the only student to qualify for the finals.
Get to know a few more Faces, or explore the entire campaign.