USD Graduate Students Win Regional HR Management Contest
USD’s winning team included team captain Ryan McCarty of Alton, Iowa, along with Kayla Haeder of Brandon and Tyce Daggitt of Sioux Falls. McCarty is working on a master’s of arts in interdisciplinary studies while both Haeder and Daggitt are MBA students.
Each team in the competition received a different HR problem and had to develop a solution, write a paper and create an oral presentation for the judges. Topics included management practices, staffing and recruiting, compensation and benefits, and labor relations. The teams were expected to demonstrate strategic thinking, ethical decision-making, and strong leadership and presentation skills.
“The judges had some difficult questions, but I know our intense preparation helped us convey all our ideas in a professional and compelling manner,” McCarty said.
The regional competition involved 120 students from 29 teams including schools like Purdue, Utah State, Marshall and Florida Atlantic. USD entered both a graduate and undergraduate team.
“I couldn’t be happier with the effort of both teams,” said Professor Damian Lonsdale, Ph.D., of the USD Beacom School of Business, who advised the students.
The winning USD team receives free registration to the national SHRM conference in Las Vegas along with $2,500 for travel.