K-State College of Business Administration

What happens when a college lecture turns into a real-world business? For K-State student Avian Gerdes, it meant rolling up his sleeves and getting his hands a little dirty! 🐾

Inspired by a guest speaker in his entrepreneurship class, Avian didn't wait for graduation to take the leap. He launched his own Poo Squad franchise in his hometown of Champaign, IL, proving that sometimes the best way to learn business is to just do it.

Read how Avian is balancing college life with a growing customer base, and why his mentor told him to "start now, learn as you go." https://bit.ly/3RCkwu3

Congratulations to Megan on being hired before graduation! 🎉

Megan, who majored in Accounting and Marketing and earned a certificate in Marketing Technology, has accepted a position as Staff Accountant with Pillar Accounting.

The College of Business is proud to celebrate Megan’s hard work, dedication, and career success. Way to go, Megan!

Learn more about the K-State accounting program: https://bit.ly/3x6Rk0b

Recently, K-State College of Business graduate students represented the college at the Big 12 Case Competition hosted by the TCU Neeley School of Business.

Shoutout to MBA students Ashton Boomer, Carissa Jonak, and Kyle Iselin, along with MSDA student Lexi Straub, for representing K-State with professionalism, poise, and strong ideas throughout the competition.

A special congratulations to Lexi for earning the Best Q&A Award in K-State’s room.

We are so proud of the way these students represented the College of Business. A big thank you to TCU Neeley and PepsiCo-Frito-Lay for making this such a great experience for our students.

Learn more here! https://cba.k-state.edu/

Business students recently had the opportunity to hear from alumnus Bill Zawrotny, a partner at Jones Day specializing in mergers and acquisitions.

Bill shared candid insights on the real ethics behind global deals—discussing how professionals navigate gray areas, balance legal and cultural expectations, and make decisions when the stakes are high.

The strong student turnout and thoughtful questions made for a dynamic conversation that brought the realities of international business into focus.

Thank you to Bill for returning to campus and investing in the next generation of business leaders. 💜

Four marketing students — Sophie Schumacher, Chase Ruda, Kira Stambaugh, and Kody Helms — recently represented Kansas State University at the 2026 National Collegiate Digital Marketing Championship in Nashville, Tennessee. Competing against more than 100 students from 26 universities across seven fast‑paced divisions, the team showcased the strength of K‑State’s hands‑on marketing education.

Team highlights:
• Top 4 finish in the Presentation Pro division (strategic, data‑driven recommendations to a panel of judges)
• 9th overall nationally in a deep and competitive field

Individual achievements:
• Kody Helms — 1st place in the LinkedIn Strategy Round
• Overall standings: Sophie Schumacher (25th), Chase Ruda (27th), and Kira Stambaugh (35th)

Special thanks to faculty coaches Rebecca Adams and Jo Lynne Stalnaker for their preparation and mentorship. Experiences like this help students apply classroom knowledge, sharpen professional skills, and benchmark against top programs nationwide.

Meet our next student takeover host, Paul Nguyen!

Paul is a sophomore studying marketing and accounting. On campus, he is involved in Menard Family Scholars, Alpha Kappa Psi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Rise Up Scholars.

Paul is currently in Greece, where he has been exploring how businesses operate in another country, especially in a place where tourism and shipping play such major roles in the economy. Along with the business learning, he has enjoyed walking through the country’s rich culture and history, including a closer look at Greek mythology, something he has always loved.

Follow along as Paul takes us through his study abroad experience in Greece!

The College of Business was honored to host Mr. Webber as the 2026 Alumni Fellow. From April 22–24, he actively engaged with our community—meeting with students and collaborating with faculty to connect classroom learning to real-world careers.

Highlights included: • Lunch with K-State pre-law students • Breakfast discussion with Rise Up Scholars on career pathways and professional insights • Collaboration with faculty teaching senior-level accounting and business law courses

Mr. Webber was joined by his wife, Dominika, and family members at evening events celebrating the university’s 2026 Alumni Fellows. We are grateful for his time, mentorship, and leadership—his impact on our students will carry forward well beyond his visit. 💜

Pack your bags, Wildcats! ✈️💜

Sydney Herpich is taking us along for a College of Business study abroad experience in Ireland! Sydney just finished her fifth year while earning her Master of Accounting, after completing her undergraduate double major in accounting and finance.

During her time at K-State, Sydney has been involved as a graduate teaching assistant, Menard Scholar, finance tutor, Alpha Kappa Psi member, and Financial Services Leadership Institute participant.

Follow along as Sydney shares moments from Dublin, Limerick, Cork, the Cliffs of Moher, and more, including visits to Trinity College and the University of Limerick. We’re excited to see this experience through her eyes as she explores Irish culture, business, and student life abroad.

The College of Business is proud to honor Dr. Edward Nowlin with the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award.

Dr. Nowlin is recognized for his exceptional contributions to graduate education and his unwavering commitment to student success. He is widely known for going above and beyond in his teaching, mentoring, and day-to-day work with graduate students, consistently providing the support and guidance they need to excel.

His dedication has directly contributed to the strength of our graduate programs and the achievements of our students. Both colleagues and students hold Dr. Nowlin in high regard, reflecting the positive, lasting impact he has made on our graduate community.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Nowlin on this well-deserved recognition. 💜

The College of Business proudly honors Dr. Madhav Sharma with the Spring 2026 CBA Developing Scholar Award.

Dr. Sharma has demonstrated impressive scholarly productivity and an emerging national reputation as a researcher. Over the past year, he has published two journal articles, had another accepted for publication, and presented his research at multiple academic conferences. His influence also extends through academic service—he serves on the senior editorial board of the Journal of Information Systems Education and reviews for several prestigious MIS journals.

Notably, Dr. Sharma has excelled in publishing pedagogical research, reflecting a dual commitment to advancing the MIS field and improving teaching practices. His strong early-career impact and clear promise for sustained excellence make him a valuable contributor to the College’s research mission.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Sharma on this well-deserved honor. 💜