Four Poole College of Management students recently made history at the Business and Management Case Competition (BMCC), earning NC State’s first-ever podium finish at an international business case competition.

Held October 25-31, 2025, and hosted by Universidad Panamericana in Guadalajara, the week-long competition brought together 15 universities from across North America, Europe and Latin American. Competing schools included UC Berkeley, the University of Florida, University College Cork, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HEC Montreal and several other globally-recognized institutions.

Representing NC State were students Preksha Jain, Ben Cole, Jillian Collins and Fletcher Sholar.

Throughout the week, teams tackled multiple intensive business cases reflecting real-world consulting challenges under strict time constraints.

“Emotional connection and synergy were the true heartbeat of our presentations.”

In the opening six-hour case for Artex, the NC State team placed second in their division. They followed that performance with a standout showing in the 24-hour case for Tajín, earning first place in their division and advancing to the final round.

The extended 24-hour format proved to be a turning point.

“We spent 24 hours straight developing innovative marketing solutions for Tajín,” Collins said. “The extended timeframe allowed us to dig deeper analytically and gather really strong insights to support our ideas.”

Their analytical preparation paid off. Presenting to company executives made the experience even more impactful.

“One of the highlights was presenting our final recommendations directly to company leadership,” Cole said. “It made the experience feel especially real.”

In the six-hour final case for Atlas Feminil FC, the team placed third overall. This marked the first time an NC State team has reached the podium at an international business case competition.

“It was a surreal and incredibly rewarding moment,” Cole said. “And, it was a meaningful milestone for both our team and the university.”

Each student played a distinct role in the competition, and together, the team combined strengths across finance, strategy, marketing and operations. 

But beyond technical skill, students say their success was rooted in trust and team chemistry.

“This competition taught me more than casing and analytical thinking,” Jain said. “It taught me to trust, empower and build connections. Emotional connection and synergy were the true heartbeat of our presentations.”

“Advancing to the finals and earning a podium finish exceeded my expectations.”

Collins echoed that sentiment, describing the experience as the most impactful of her time at Poole.

“The most rewarding part was representing NC State on the global stage,” she said. “Advancing to the finals and earning a podium finish exceeded my expectations.”

Outside of competition rooms, BMCC offered rich cultural immersion. Students explored Guadalajara’s historic city center and visited Tlaquepaque, a suburb known for its traditional crafts, colorful streets and local restaurants. A citywide scavenger hunt introduced students to historic sites and authentic Mexican cuisine, while social events and a final celebration dinner fostered friendships among students from around the world. 

“The collaborative environment extended beyond our team,” Cole said. “We had the opportunity to meet and work alongside students from universities across the globe, making the experience both professionally challenging and culturally immersive.”

For the team, the week was about more than trophies. It was about preparation, resilience and representing Poole College on a global stage.

“Preparing rigorously for this competition and doing well was quite rewarding.” Jain said. “It showed me the power of hard work, determination, resilience and where that can take you and your team.”

“It showed me the power of hard work, determination, resilience and where that can take you and your team.”