A year in review at the Asper School of Business

It is hard to believe that another year has passed at the Asper School of Business. To celebrate, we are sharing some of our most read stories in 2020. 

PRESIDENT’S STUDENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR ITS 2020 PROGRAM
In 2019, 27 students from 18 different disciplines participated in the first cohort of the President’s Student Leadership Program (PSLP). This program offers a unique-in-Canada immersive learning opportunity that brings students together from across subjects, post-secondary institutions, interests, and regions of the province.

In early February, applications for the 2020 program opened to students in all faculties at UM and PSLP’s partner institutions. This year’s program ran from June 6-13 inclusive and on four Saturdays in the fall and winter 2020-21. Admission to the program was granted to those who had demonstrated impactful leadership in their community or student life and were committed to developing their collaborative knowledge and skills to make positive changes in their environment. Read more.

INDIGENOUS BUSINESS EDUCATION PARTNER’S PRESENT TOP AWARD
Of French-Métis decent and born in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 land, Noah Bartlett was the 2020 recipient of the Indigenous Business Education Partners (IBEP) Scholarship, an award valued up to $5,000. It’s given to an Indigenous high school student entering the Asper School of Business who demonstrates a combination of academic excellence and community involvement. Bartlett shined in his application with a high GPA, participation in extra curriculars, and a commitment to his community. Read more.

ASHLEY RICHARD BRINGS WOMENS ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM TO LIFE
As the Manitoba regional hub of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), the Asper School of Business is a part national network of ten regional hubs designed to increase women entrepreneurs’ access to financing, talent, networks, and expertise. 

Earlier this year WEKH created a national lead of Indigenous women’s entrepreneurship, and Asper Alumna Ashley Richard accepted the position.

While Richard’s role encompasses all of Canada, Asper is proud to hold the Indigenous lead role, as it supports existing Asper initiatives taking place within the Indigenous Business Education Partners, the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship and the Asper regional hub itself. Read more.

ASPER STUDENT SHARES CO-OP EXPERIENCE
Michela Troia is a co-op student in her third year at the Asper School of Business, where she is majoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship/Small Business.

This summer, Michela worked as a marketing and communications student in a joint role for the Asper School of Business and the James W. Burns Leadership Institute. She connected with the Asper School of Business Career Development Centre to describe her experience in her first co-op term. Read more.

2020 ASSOCIATES ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
The 2020 Associates Achievement Awards were held virtually in November to recognize faculty members who achieved outstanding performance in research, teaching and engagement. Unique to this year, the Associates presented three additional awards to recognize Asper faculty who had provided outstanding contributions beyond their normal research and teaching roles, during the pandemic. Read more.

AGENT FOR FEMALE EMPOWERMENT AND MOTHER OF THREE SHARES HER MBA JOURNEY
We connected with recent Asper MBA graduate, Larissa Kanhai, who recently graduated from the Asper MBA program with a specialization in sustainability and public enterprise. She started the program in 2015 with a broad background including a Bachelor of Science from the University of Saskatchewan, a Bachelor of Arts Honors in International Development Studies from York University, and a range of work experience in the non-profit sector.

With experience in sustainability, diversity, and ecumenical justice in the nonprofit sector, Kanhai desired organizational and administrative expertise. She felt that an MBA would help her achieve that. While an MBA was something that Kanhai always wanted to complete, it wasn’t until the birth of her third child that she finally made the commitment. Read more.

ASPER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS LAUNCHES APPLIED SMALL BUSINESS COURSE
In response to challenges facing many local businesses during COVID-19 restrictions, the Asper School of Business created a new undergraduate course designed to give back to the Manitoba business community. This course provided students an opportunity to actively work with small businesses to help find solutions to their current challenges. Recognizing the urgent need within the community, the course entitled Applied Small Business Consulting launched September of 2020. Read more.

TEAM TOBA “ROCKS THE HOUSE” AT JDC WEST 2020
With one of the best performances to date, the Asper School of Business reinforced its place as a top Canadian business school at the 2020 JDC West Competition in Regina, Saskatchewan from January 17-19, 2020. The three-day event showcased academics, athletics, debate, and out-of-the-box social competitions. 

Team Toba, co-captained by Christine Sheppard and Jacquelyn Townsend, won awards in a mix of categories. Asper placed third overall as Academic School of the Year among twelve of the premier post-secondary institutions across Western Canada. This result was a product of the combined scores for all teams in each of the academic case categories, including debate.

This year’s virtual competition is being held by the Asper School of Business and will take place January 15-17, 2021. Read more.  

To learn more about the Asper School or stay up-to-date with events and announcements in the New Year, be sure to visit our website.

ASPER STAFF