Ireland to Industry: Students Attend American Irish State Legislators Caucus Summit
Through a partnership between the Governor’s Office, South Dakota Trade and the University of South Dakota, the students joined South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden, state legislators and South Dakota Trade leaders to explore international trade and opportunities.
Highlights included visiting Google’s Ireland Headquarters and touring Belfast’s Parliament building, where they built industry connections with South Dakota leaders, members of the Irish Parliament and global business professionals.
The week also gave students a chance to explore the Irish culture, where they immersed themselves in Irish history, visited the Cliffs of Moher, explored Galway and even attended a Gaelic football match.
For many students, the blend of culture and professional engagement made the trip unforgettable, serving as preparation for their careers.
“It was a week full of meaningful conversations and connections that helped me build a global network and experience business from a different perspective,” reflected USD student Melanie Brozik.
Her classmate Jake Eben agreed, describing the opportunity to explore Ireland and connect with leaders as “an experience like no other.”
Ethan Gladue described the trip as a milestone in his personal and professional development.
“This opportunity will be one of my most critical experiences for when I reflect on how my career was shaped,” said Gladue. “It allowed me to network with others from around the country and South Dakota, gave me insight to enlightening conversations and also allowed me to learn more about how the U.S. has an expansive influence on the world stage.”
Those who traveled alongside the students were equally struck by their poise.
“The group engaged deeply in conversations about Ireland's culture and political environment,” said South Dakota State Representative Jessica Bahmuller. “Their curiosity was one of the most rewarding aspects of the trip. I look forward to seeing them utilize the lessons they learned back in South Dakota.”
At Google’s European Headquarters in Dublin, the students participated in a lively Q&A session with South Dakota State Representative Greg Jamison. He noted that the students’ professionalism stood out; their eagerness to discuss both their futures and South Dakota’s place in the global economy gave him confidence in the state’s next generation of leaders.
South Dakota State Senator Stephanie Sauder echoed that pride, observing how the students represented USD and South Dakota with “dignity and pride” among international delegates. To her, the trip demonstrated that South Dakota has “another great generation of quality players in the world of business and trade.”
Likewise, South Dakota Trade President Jesse Fonkert emphasized the lasting value of such experiences.
“President Gestring’s Student Leadership Institute equips students with a global perspective that prepares them for success,” Fonkert said. “Through our partnership with USD, PSLI students proudly represented South Dakota at the American Irish State Legislators Caucus Summit, gaining direct exposure to international affairs and global business in action.”
By the end of the week, the students returned home not just with memories of Ireland’s landscapes and traditions, but with a deeper understanding of what it means to be leaders in a global economy. They left a lasting impression on their peers, their professors and the South Dakota officials who joined them—a testament to the Beacom School of Business’s commitment to prepare graduates who are ready to represent both their state and their university on the world stage.
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