Experiential Learning

The College of Business & Public Administration strongly believes in providing experiential learning experiences for our students, faculty and community.

Experiential education involves “learning by doing." At the College of Business & Public Administration we strive to meet these goals through the variety of business symposiums that are offered on campus throughout the year. Experiential learning opportunities are an integral way for students to gain insight in to the business world.

Experiential learning opportunities:

  • Add more value to their academic studies by giving students a chance to apply theories learned in classes to “real life” situations.
  • Assist in identifying the interdisciplinary skills gained from the classroom that are utilized and applied in their field of interest.

Speaker Series and Symposiums

The Morrison Leadership Summit has been established by a gift from McCain Foods, in honor of the company's former CEO, Dale Morrison. Morrison, a North Dakota native, is a distinguished alumnus of the CoBPA. He has more than three decades of experience within the international food industry. Morrison worked at General Foods, PepsiCo and Campbell Soup Company until 2004 when he became the President and CEO of McCain Foods. Notable alumni and friends of the CoBPA who currently hold (or have previously held) leadership positions will be in attendance for the event.

The purpose of the Olafson Ethics Symposium is to provide a platform for students and the business community to explore the importance of both personal and professional ethics. This annual event is funded through the support of Robert Olafson and his dedication to ethical business practices and the University of North Dakota.

Keynote speaker Mark Chipman, Executive Chairman & Governor of True North Sports & Entertainment will discuss ethical perspectives in sports. True North Sports & Entertainment owns the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League and Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Mellem Business Symposium is named in honor of College of Business and Public Administration alumni Ken and JoAnn Mellem. The Mellem Business Symposium supports the College of Business and Public Administration’s mission to teach students the necessary skills to excel in business, government, and society, while providing a forum to discuss timely topics with members of the regional community.

The Hultberg Lectureship Series was established twenty-nine years ago with a gift through the UND Foundation by Clara E. Anderson (Hultberg) in memory of her parents Hans and Suzanne Hultberg. Clara was a 1928 UND graduate; her interests were in stimulating challenges and opportunities for students in business. Each year, successful women alumni from UND bring their professional experiences to the University community through this unique event.

For more information contact Laura Arneson at laura.arneson@UND.edu.

Real World Educational Opportunities

Our students have a wealth of opportunities to apply classroom concepts to real world scenerios. For example:

  • Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) allows students to manage and administer a $1 million investment portfolio on the New York Stock Exchange.
  • The Dakota Venture Group gives students the opportunity to review and fund entrepreneurial business ventures. Students who participate in the American Marketing Association gain valuable insight through planning and promoting a special speaker series and visiting alumni at their career sites.
  • Students pursuing a degree program within the college also have access to a large pool of scholarships, which are awarded annually, as well as numerous internships that assist in building a student's resume.

Additional Experiential Learning Opportunities

  • Executives in the classroom
  • Study abroad experiences
  • Student internships
  • Classroom/interactive projects
  • Student organizations