From left: Adam Ackerman, Max Kice, Kiera Rader and Sara Smith. Courtesy of Kansas State University
By: Malorie Sougéy
Kansas State University
As Kansas State University fans prepare to cross the Atlantic to watch the ‘Cats face off against the Iowa State Cyclones in Dublin’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic, a group of K-State business students is heading toward the Emerald Isle with another goal in mind: to partner with Cyclones and Irish professionals in an international business case competition.
Four students from K-State’s College of Business Administration will represent the university in the Leaders of Tomorrow challenge:
Adam Ackerman, senior in finance, Endicott, New York; Max Kice, senior in entrepreneurship and innovation, Wichita; Kiera Rader, senior in professional strategic selling, Overland Park; and Sara Smith, sophomore in management, Clay Center.
K-State is funding the students’ travels, allowing them to focus on the competition instead of worrying about fundraising. The student leaders will also have the opportunity to interact with local Irish businesses and professionals during their trip, making the journey for these Wildcats one of competition, camaraderie and career development.
The challenge: Leaders of Tomorrow
The competition pairs students from both universities with young professionals from two prominent Irish companies: Eversheds Sunderland and Grant Thornton.
Four teams — each consisting of one K-State student, one Iowa State student and two Irish professionals — will tackle a real-world challenge: developing market strategies for a U.S. agri-food or agri-tech company expanding into Ireland.
Each team must develop a comprehensive market strategy that addresses:
- Market research and analysis
- Commercial objectives
- Branding strategies
- Marketing and operations plans
- Financial forecasts
- Risk assessments
- Available resources and funding opportunities
- Existing U.S.-Ireland business relationships
The competition culminates on Thursday, August 21, when the teams will present their strategies in a “Shark Tank” format — 12-minute pitches followed by eight-minute Q&A sessions with industry judges. The winning team will be honored with a trophy presentation on Aviva Field at halftime of the football game on August 23.
Chad Jackson, Jack Vanier director of entrepreneurship at K-State, said the Leaders of Tomorrow experience gives students the chance to apply their business knowledge in a global context as they collaborate with peers and professionals across cultures to solve real-world challenges.
“It’s a unique opportunity to engage in global teamwork, strengthen leadership skills and contribute to high-impact strategy work alongside industry leaders in Ireland,” Jackson said. “This is a transformative experience that allows our students to lead and learn on an international stage.”
Summer preparation: Building international collaboration skills
Throughout the summer, the teams have met virtually to share research, build financial models and prepare their presentations.
Rader has been reviewing relevant case studies, practicing presentations and staying up to date with industry trends in agriculture. Smith’s team has been meeting weekly to prep their presentation.
“I hope to create new connections with other students and gain knowledge about international business during the Leaders of Tomorrow challenge,” Smith said. “I’m really looking forward to meeting my team in person and getting to see K-State play in Ireland.”
Ackerman said he looks forward to seeing how the ideas come together in person and how his team can adapt in a high-stakes, real-time setting. During a recent team meeting, his group had a lively debate about the risks of market saturation in Ireland’s mushroom industry.
“It was a great moment where we all brought unique perspectives to the table and challenged each other to think differently,” he said. “Experiences like that have shown me the power of cross-cultural collaboration, and I’m excited to continue learning and building those connections in Dublin.”
Rader and Smith are both part of the K-State Sales Team. Rader- back row, third from the left; Smith- back row, fifth from the left. Courtesy of Kansas State UniversityFrom courses to competition: Academic foundation meets global application
The competition allows students to apply classroom learning in an international context. The Wildcats participating in the Leaders of Tomorrow competition can draw a direct connection from courses they’ve taken at K-State to the skills they need for this competition and for their futures.
Kice credits his foundational economics classes in the College of Arts and Sciences as being helpful when developing his research on the Irish market, and Ackerman said several College of Business Administration courses have set him up for success in the competition.
“My entrepreneurship courses have taught me how to develop and present strong business ideas, think creatively, and build confidence as a leader,” Ackerman said. “My finance capstone, Cases in Finance, helped me approach complex business problems from multiple angles and strengthened my ability to make sound recommendations backed by data. These courses have played a big role in preparing me for this competition.”
Rader highlighted how courses like Advanced Selling, Brand Marketing and Leadership Studies have strengthened her communication skills and strategic thinking about positioning and value, crucial abilities for fast-paced, collaborative environments like the Leaders of Tomorrow competition and the business workforce.
Beyond the classroom: Hands-on experience
The students bring a variety of practical experiences to the competition.
Smith and Rader are both members of the Sales Ambassadors organization — a group that assists with the retention and recruitment of K-State sales students and supports the National Strategic Selling Institute — and the K-State Sales Team, which gives students the opportunity to compete in national sales competitions. These experiences allow students to enhance their skills and begin preparing for a career in any sales organization.
Smith, who’s in the second year of her program at K-State, is also a real estate agent with Yellow Brick Realty. She says the experience has increased her sales abilities and analytical thinking.Ackerman and Kice have both gained experience from Wildcat Consulting, a student-run, faculty-led organization that works with small companies and entrepreneurs in Kansas to provide business insights.
Ackerman and Kice are both part of the Wildcat Consulting group, pictured above. Ackerman- front row, third from the left; Kice- back row, third from the right. Courtesy of Kansas State University
“Through Wildcat Consulting, I’ve worked in small teams to solve real problems for Kansas businesses,” Ackerman said. “That experience helped me become a stronger communicator, better teammate and more creative thinker. It also taught me how to manage ambiguity and deliver results on tight timelines, which has been relevant throughout this project.”
Dawn Deeter-Schmelz, professor and director of the National Strategic Selling Institute, emphasized the connection between the competition and K-State’s experiential learning approach.
“Our students’ abilities to compete successfully in a competition such as this are a direct result of the outstanding hands-on learning opportunities provided by K-State’s entrepreneurship program and the National Strategic Selling Institute,” she said.
Looking ahead: Business and Wildcat pride
Beyond the competition, students anticipate building professional connections and exploring the international industry environment.
“While in Ireland, I plan to explore local businesses and learn more about international markets and cultural business practices,” Rader said. “I am also hoping to connect with professionals in my field and use this experience to grow my global perspective — something that complements what I have studied at K-State and where I see my career heading. “This experience represents a unique convergence of academics, athletics and international collaboration, with Wildcat pride spanning both the business competition and the football field. “Outside of the competition, I’m excited to explore Ireland’s business landscape and learn more about the agri-food sector from a global perspective,” Ackerman said. “I’m also looking forward to cheering on K-State in the football game while we’re there. Go ‘Cats!”
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic kicks off at 11:00 am Central time on August 23, with coverage on ESPN. Watch for the recognition of the winning Leaders of Tomorrow team at halftime.