By Cheryl Cranick
The Honors in Business Association (HiBA) was developed in the fall of 2013, but it already has an impressive track record. Honors students Quian Callender (BUS ’16) and Brooke Wasserman (BUS ’15), who serve as HiBA President/COO and Secretary/CAO, respectively, felt business majors needed a stronger cohort on campus. Coursework in the major for School of Business students does not begin until junior year, “so they are not able to meet other students as easily,” said Wasserman.
Callender and Wasserman considered various ways to construct a group with business in mind. Then they scheduled a meeting with former Honors Programming Coordinator (now STEM advisor) Kaitlin Heenehan (CLAS ’11). “They immediately handed me a document with their mission, goals, and ideas for strategies that the organization could implement,” she said.
HiBA went through stages of development, earning the support of leadership in Honors and the School of Business. While these advisors offered thoughts along the way, “It was very much a student-generated initiative,” said Lawrence Gramling, Assistant Professor of Accounting and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the School of Business. “They took it upon themselves to start this organization. They wanted to make it happen. Their accomplishments show the drive of Business students as they created and lead their niche on campus.”
In the past year, the HiBA executive board has offered a diverse lineup of events. Information sessions and workshop topics have included job negotiations, career success tools, and consulting, as well as an etiquette dinner, a Google recruiting event, and panel discussions on financial services and innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
“HiBA provides excellent opportunities to learn more about the business world and to make professional connections alongside other Honors students,” said Kelly Yates (BUS ’18), majoring in real estate and urban economics studies. “Each meeting I attend I learn something new, whether it’s an introduction to a field or occupation I was not very familiar with, or tips for effective networking.”
The group has also hosted or co-hosted impressive speakers: Paul Taylor, Executive Vice President of the Pew Research Center; David J. Scheffer, Northwestern University law professor and Director of the Center for International Human Rights; Julie Daly Meehan ’05, Executive Director of the Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) organization; and Anne Diamond, CEO of John Dempsey Hospital, UConn Health.
“They dream big and are not afraid to embark on ambitious projects,” said Jackie Lee ’15 MA, graduate assistant in Honors and NEAG master’s graduate.
One such project was hosting Jim Calhoun Jr. (CLAS ’89), CEO of Converse and son of UConn’s celebrated coach. “Honors in Business wanted to bring a UConn alum who was also a business executive,” said Callender. “We checked with the Alumni Association to see if other groups or departments have or had asked him to speak on campus. Once we found out he had not been reached out to recently, we proceeded to send a letter.”
Calhoun Jr. had not yet been a speaker at his alma mater, but he responded when the invitation came from students. In late October 2014, Calhoun Jr. came to campus with Terri Hines, Vice President of Global Communications for Converse.
On his visit, Calhoun Jr. met President Herbst, toured the new basketball training facility, shared dinner with students and deans from the School of Business and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, spoke at a student reception and then a larger auditorium lecture, and concluded with a Q&A Session with Associate Dean Gramling.
Another popular event organized by HiBA was a recent day-trip to Boston to tour PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the Federal Reserve Bank. The students broke into groups to visit one of the two locations. The day ended with an Honors alumni networking event in the city.
“At the Federal Reserve, I got a good overview of its operations in unison with the twelve regional banks alongside Janet Yellen’s economic policy,” said finance major Joaquin Sanchez (BUS ’18). “The cash tour was an eye-opening experience as well with a very detailed explanation of the entire currency recirculation process. Talking with Boston alumni gave me the opportunity to ask an individual about her job in wealth management and how she transitioned from two very distinct careers.”
HiBA was created specifically for Honors students majoring in business or those interested in business. For Honors students who wish to join the organization as members, they pay a small dues fee each semester for expenses and enjoy benefits such as early registration. However, as a tier II UConn student organization, HiBA events are open to the entire campus community. The organization is structured to sustain its strength even after its co-founders graduate next year. “Overall HiBA brings a renewed energy and source of collaboration to both Business organizations and Honors organizations at UConn,” said Callender. Goals for the future include added events and greater alumni interest as speakers, tour hosts, and mentors.
“No matter if you’re studying finance, biology, or English, all students should attend a few HiBA events,” said Holly Chase (BUS ’17), a healthcare management major and neuroscience minor. “Not only to learn about the wide world of professions available, but to network with fantastic individuals and enhance their own professionalism.”
If you are an alumnus interested in working with the Honors in Business Association to help students network or learn more about business, HiBA can be reached at uconnhiba@gmail.com