Terry College of Business

The University of Georgia’s entrepreneurial spirit doesn't always begin in a boardroom. Sometimes, it starts in a cave, on a river, or at the edge of a glacier. As a student, Marshall Mosher discovered a passion for helping people navigate uncertainty, build confidence and solve complex problems. A course with entrepreneurship lecturer David Sutherland helped him connect those interests with the practical tools to turn ideas into action.

That foundation led him to launch Vestigo, blending adventure and emerging technology to help leaders grow through immersive experiences. From guiding executives through whitewater expeditions to developing virtual reality simulations inspired by Mount Everest, Marshall has spent his career exploring how challenge can cultivate resilience, communication and better decision-making.

Today, he's taking that vision even further by bringing leaders together in the French Alps for experiences that push them beyond their comfort zones and remind them what they're capable of achieving.

Marshall's journey is a powerful example of what happens when curiosity meets opportunity: the willingness to embrace uncertainty can become a catalyst for innovation.

What do video game marketing, artificial intelligence, workplace recovery, health inequality, social media liability, and extreme weather resilience have in common?

They're all featured in the latest edition of Terry TakeAways, our regular roundup of research, insights, and news from Terry College of Business.

This issue explores how business research is helping leaders navigate emerging technologies, improve decision-making, understand consumer behavior, and tackle some of society's most pressing challenges.

Take a look at what's new from Terry!

The University of Georgia ranks among the Top 10 universities in the nation for producing unicorn founders, when measured by the odds of creating a billion-dollar startup.

New research from Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Ilya Strebulaev found that UGA graduates who go on to found venture capital-backed companies are significantly overrepresented among founders of unicorn startups, placing the university seventh nationally in the study's odds-based ranking.

The ranking differs from traditional lists that simply count founders. Instead, it measures how likely founders from a particular university are to build a unicorn company relative to a matched sample of venture-backed entrepreneurs.

UGA's placement alongside institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) , Stanford University, Yale University, and UC San Diego highlights the strength of the university's entrepreneurial talent pipeline and the growing impact of its graduates in innovation-driven industries.

It's wonderful to see that UGA students develop the skills, confidence, and vision needed to create value, launch ventures, and lead in rapidly changing markets.

Congratulations to the students, alumni, faculty, and mentors who continue to build a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation at UGA! Go Dawgs!

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UGA Entrepreneurship Program

What happens when a finance student decides to experiment with AI? For Anna Katherine Black, it led to a job offer.

As part of a Terry College course exploring emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, Anna Katherine began building practical tools to solve everyday problems—from helping friends improve their resumes to creating personalized finance news briefings for internship preparation. Then she took her curiosity a step further.

After reaching out to companies she admired, Anna Katherine connected with the team behind Locker (Want Locker), a fashion wishlist app she already used. Following a conversation about the future of AI and shopping, she spent a week teaching herself how to build a prototype for a new feature she wanted to see in the platform.

She's a finance major...not a software engineer.

But her willingness to experiment, learn, and turn an idea into something tangible caught the attention of Locker's leadership team and ultimately led to an offer to join the company as an AI Implementation Intern.

It's a powerful example of how AI literacy, creativity, and initiative are creating new opportunities!

Success in sales is about resilience, relationships, and showing up when it matters most. For Jake Schaflander (BBA '26), a member of the Terry Sales Dawgs, the morning of the final round at the International Collegiate Sales Competition brought unexpected news: a close friend had been diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Just 40 minutes before competing, Jake wasn't sure he could continue.

What happened next speaks volumes about the culture of Terry's nationally recognized sales program. Supported by faculty mentor Dr. Cindy B. Rippé and surrounded by teammates who believed in him, Jake found the strength to step onto the stage.

He went on to finish second in the competition's Role Play event. Fellow Sales Dawg Spencer Inglis finished fourth, and the Terry Sales Dawgs captured the team championship.

Trophies are great to bring home, but the real value comes from the mentorship, community, and the people who help us persevere through life's most difficult moments.

We're proud of Jake's accomplishments, grateful for the faculty and teammates who supported him, and relieved to share that his friend underwent surgery and is doing well. Go Dawgs!

Video games are no longer a niche hobby, they’re one of the largest and most complex consumer ecosystems in the world. As gaming has become mainstream across generations and platforms, brands are still searching for effective ways to connect with players without disrupting the experience.

New research from University of Georgia marketing professor John Hulland explores how marketers can better understand gaming communities, navigate massive amounts of consumer data, and create brand experiences that feel authentic rather than intrusive.

From Roblox storefronts and Animal Crossing showrooms to esports sponsorships and livestream partnerships, the future of marketing in gaming may depend less on traditional advertising and more on becoming a meaningful part of the experience.

For University of Georgia alums Kelsie Pearson and Spencer Sutlive, entrepreneurship meant turning personal passions into growing businesses that are helping people explore the world in new ways.

As founder of The Girls Trip Co., Kelsie Pearson (ABJ '25) transformed a love of travel into a thriving company that creates unforgettable adventures and meaningful connections for women across the globe. What began as an idea developed through the UGA Entrepreneurship Program has grown into a business with trips spanning more than 20 countries.

For Spencer Sutlive (BSFCS '20), a passion for the outdoors led to the creation of Rugged Road, an innovative outdoor products company disrupting the cooler industry with lightweight, high-performance designs now sold through major retailers and outfitters nationwide.

Their ventures may be different, but their stories share a common thread: identifying an opportunity, taking a leap, and building something meaningful.

Stories like these reflect the mission of the UGA Entrepreneurship Program, helping students develop the skills, mindset, and support network needed to transform ideas into successful businesses.

What does the future of business education look like? In a recent conversation featured in Terry Magazine, Dean Santanu Chatterjee shares his vision for the next chapter of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, one centered on student success, global engagement, innovation, and preparing graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

A member of the Terry faculty since 2001, Dean Chatterjee officially began his tenure as the college's 13th dean on April 1 after serving as interim dean and holding leadership roles across graduate education, analytics, and academic programs.

In the interview, he discusses the opportunities and challenges facing higher education, Terry's strategic approach to artificial intelligence, plans for new academic programs, the importance of experiential learning, and the college's commitment to ensuring students graduate with both technical expertise and the leadership skills needed to make an impact.

"Our goal is to become the most student-centered, globally engaged, and future-ready business school."

As Terry continues to grow, Dean Chatterjee emphasizes a commitment to innovation while building on the strengths that have defined the college for generations: exceptional faculty, engaged alumni, industry partnerships, and graduates who are ready to roll up their sleeves and lead.

When passion meets purpose, remarkable things happen. Fourth-year student Calista Honick is pursuing two passions at the University of Georgia as a dance and marketing double major, combining creativity, performance, and business to prepare for her future entrepreneurial goals.

A competitive dancer since childhood, Honick chose to pair her love of dance with marketing to build the skills needed to one day open her own dance studio.

“There are so many different sides of dance that I wouldn’t have been able to dig deeper into if I hadn’t majored in it here,” she says.

At UGA, students are encouraged to explore interests across disciplines, and many dance majors pair their artistic training with studies in business, science, education, and other fields. For Honick, that interdisciplinary approach has created a foundation for both artistic growth and professional success.

After graduation, she plans to pursue an MBA at the University of Central Florida as the next step toward achieving her dream of owning and operating her own studio.

From the dance floor to the classroom, Bulldogs continue to demonstrate how creativity, ambition, and innovation can work hand in hand! Go Dawgs!