As students learn about aspects of business, it is important to reinforce that knowledge with experiences outside of the classroom. Honors in Business Association (HiBA) creates those experiences for students at the University of Connecticut. Members of HiBA spent a day in New York City learning about the financial industry and connecting with alumni.
For the second year, HiBA sponsored a completely student planned and led trip. Last year’s trip was to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Members left Storrs early in the morning to arrive at Wall Street by the Opening Bell Ceremony. Students were able to see trades being made on the floor as well as media outlets broadcasting live from the trading floor such as CNBC.
Members at New York Stock Exchange (Photo: Quian Callender)
Staff of the New York Stock Exchange gave an overview of how trading on the floor works and revealed little known information about the Stock Exchange. Of course, there was time for students to take selfies!
Following the tour of the New York Stock Exchange, students headed down the street to the Museum of American Finance to gain an in depth view of the financial history of the United States. Students visited exhibits such as the gold gallery consisting of many artifacts made of gold. Recalling his time at the Museum of American Finance, Dan Glucksman (BUS ’18) stated, “I gained a better understanding of finance history that is never fully addressed in class.”
To close out the day, student connected with a few New York City area alumni over hors d’oeuvres. The alumni event was part of the Honors Program 50th Anniversary. For many students, connecting with alumni was their favorite aspect of the trip. Sidney Tomko (BUS ’19) stated, “My favorite part of the day was the alumni dinner because it was really interesting to hear what former UConn students, who were once in our position, are doing now. It really opened my eyes to all the opportunities we huskies have out there. ”
Special thanks to: Olivia of the New York Stock Exchange and Ellen of the UConn Honors Program.
If you or your company is interested in hosting members of Honors in Business Association, email us at uconnhiba@gmail.com
About Honors in Business Association: Honors in Business Association (HiBA) is a student organization formed between the Honors Program and School of Business. HiBA strives to create a sense of community for students in both Honors and the School of Business and those with an interest in business. HiBA’s programming provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate and develop skills necessary to succeed in today’s business world all while building a strong alumni network. Contact information: uconnhiba@gmail.com or visit hiba.business.uconn.edu
As the university has been growing, the number of Honors organizations has followed! In the past two years alone 4 new Honors organizations have formed: Honors in Business Association (HiBA), Honors in STEM (HiS), Humanities and Arts Collective, and Multicultural Honors Collaborative. These organizations were formed to meet the needs of an ever diversifying and innovating Honors Program.
The Honors Program now has 9 Honors organizations:
Honors Council
Honors in STEM
Honors in Business Association
Honors Across State Borders
Humanities and Arts Collective
Multicultural Honors Collective
Peer Allies Through Honors (PATH)
Leadership in Action
Honors Initiative for Prospective Students
Matthew Bilmes (Digital Media and Design ’18) Path Mentor
As a collective group, Honors in Business and Honors in STEM are participating in the Ignite fundraising competition to bring awareness to our organizations. As active and recently formed organizations, our membership is engaged and striving to provide and unique and personalized experience to all of our students. Money raised will be used to enhance the student experience and unleash student potential!
Honors student organizations showcase the best UConn has to offer! Through Ignite and your support, we will be able to showcase Honors organizations and the great programming we have done in the past and hope to do in the future. Our programming thus far have benefited students tremendously, whether it’s an alumni panel, trip to Boston, or executive speakers.
Rachel (’14) and Jessica Li (Business ’18) at Honors in Business Association Alumni Event in Boston
To continue our innovation and to offer students the best possible experience, we are asking for your support. Please consider supporting Honors student organizations and visit our Ignite page!
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.”
Students with Jim Calhoun, CEO of Converse
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.
Students outside of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
“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
HiBA members attended the 11th Annual Harvard Intercollegiate Business Convention (IBC) on October 17th, 2015. Sponsored, by Harvard Women in Business, the mission of the conference is to build a global support network and community of empowerment for collegiate women interested in business. Members were able to attend this conference with support of the UConn Honors Young Alumni Fund and other funding sources.
Attendees heard from three inspirational keynote speakers: Jeanne Jackson, President of Product & Merchandising, Nike; Phyllis Yale, Advisory Partner, Bain & Company; and Rosalind Brewer, CEO and President, Sam’s Club Walmart. “I was inspired by the speakers who emphasized that there is no one way to the perfect career. Each path is unique, yet every one requires you to pursue it with determination, confidence, and passion.”Emily Vasington ’16
The all-day event brought together over 1,000 high achieving students from around the world who are interested in business. Students attending developed a greater understanding of current business issues and trends, promoting relevant discussions upon their return to campus and furthering their personal learning beyond the classroom.
UConn students took part in numerous breakout sessions, heard from world renowned business leaders, and most importantly, walked away having learned key ways to succeed in today’s business world. “I learned so much at the conference. One takeaway from two of the workshops I attended was that you don’t have to have everything figured out right now as far as career path. It was great to hear this from women who succeeded in their field and told us about their career changes.” Holly Chase’17
Themes of breakout sessions included healthcare, non-profits, finance, media, marketing and entrepreneurship to name a few. Attendees discussed relevant and emerging trends with a network of over 1,000 students and professionals. Students had the opportunity to talk directly with company representatives such as L.E.K. Consulting, The Economist, Goldman Sachs and Constant Contact, a company Honors in Business Association has previously hosted. “The IBC definitely aided my professional development. I learned about different career paths in banking and consulting, which are both areas of interest to me. There was also a mini career and business school fair that provided networking opportunities. I believe that the more chances you have to network the better you get at it. It’s great to just grow your knowledge and contacts, so I’m glad the IBC allowed me to do that.” Nicole Gauer ’18
Honors in Business Association looks forward to providing this opportunity to members next fall through the continued support of alumni.
The Honors in Business Association (HiBA) hosted Jim Calhoun ’89 (CLAS), CEO of Converse for a discussion about his experience as an undergraduate at UConn, his career path, and what it is like being CEO of a multibillion dollar international company.
Before speaking to a larger audience, Calhoun spoke with students at an intimate reception sponsored by the UConn School of Business Dean’s Office. Gregory Doyle ’15 (BUS), an attendee at the reception stated, “It was great connecting with a past UConn graduate who has been successful on a large corporate scale. He seemed really passionate about Converse and what it represents. I especially enjoyed hearing about the mistakes he has made along the way and what he has learned from them.”
Following the reception Calhoun began his discussion in the Student Union Theater with a picture of his father, former UConn men’s basketball head coach Jim Calhoun. The picture was of the former coach wearing Converse sneakers as a college student and playing basketball against UConn, a team he would later coach. Calhoun brought the picture full circle stating that the picture hangs in his office at Converse headquarters.
In addition to taking in advice from Calhoun, students were stunned to learn that Calhoun was to thank for the famous product placement of Wilson in ‘Cast Away’ starring Tom Hanks.
Both the reception and speaking event attracted UConn students across all disciplines who all took something away from Calhoun’s talk. Justin Hall ’17 (ENG) stated, “Calhoun’s presentation was both insightful and interesting. Personally I left with a greater understanding of how to utilize and how to create pivotal opportunities throughout my life.” Alyssa Zabin ’16 (CLAS), from student group Leadership in Action added, “It was great as students to see what huskies before us have done as they build upon their undergraduate experiences in profound ways.”
Larry Gramling, associate dean of the School of Business who sat down with Calhoun for a question and answer session expressed, “A great deal of what made the event one of the very best I have ever attended at UConn was first and foremost due to Jim Calhoun who did a great job by just being himself: genuine, down-to-earth, and engaging before the event in the Lounge, during the talk, and afterwards when many of the 100 or so in the audience came up to talk to Jim.”
About Honors in Business Association: Honors in Business Association (HiBA) is a student organization formed between the Honors Program and UConn School of Business. HiBA strives to create a sense of community for students in both Honors and the School of Business and those with an interest in business while focusing on professional development. Contact information: uconnhiba@gmail.com or Quian Callender at quian.callender@uconn.edu.
Pictured L to R: John Averill ’16 (CLAS), Quian Callender ’16 (BUS), Alyssa Zabin ’16 (CLAS), Jim Calhoun, CEO of Converse, Associate Dean of the School of Business Larry Gramling, Grace Kim ’16 (BUS), Emily Vasington ’16 (BUS), Brooke Wasserman ’15 (BUS), and Global VP of Communications at Converse Terri Hines.
