BYU Marriott School of Business

BYU Marriott Beacons of Light 150: Fighting hunger requires more than compassion—it requires coordination.

That’s why connecting with people making a difference has been at the heart of the Ballard Center for Social Impact’s hunger initiative, an ongoing series of events designed to spark dialogue and drive collective impact.

“As a family member, as a neighbor, as a citizen, and even as an employee—becoming involved ultimately increases our capacity to bless God’s children who are suffering,” said Ballard Center associate director Jill Piacitelli.

At the US Against Hunger kickoff event, Sharon Eubank, global humanitarian leader, speaker, and author, said, “There’s always something we can do if we just act.”

BYU Marriott Beacons of Light 150: How does one office share light with over 3,000 pre-business students? A frontline of peer advisors.

In the BYU Marriott Undergraduate Advisement office, peer advisors from various business majors serve as mentors and supporters for students looking to apply to the business school.

“The students are leaders amongst themselves, and they have an influence on each other,” explains academic advisor Ashley Bell. “They can inspire and help students achieve their goals even in small ways, and they’re doing that in an environment that is full of light and respect and faith.”

Rachel Wasden, a peer advisor and strategy student, says she tried to add more light to her conversations with students. “There’s a lot of Christ’s light involved whenever you’re trying to help or serve an individual.”

BYU Marriott Beacons of Light 150: In the MPA program, students have the opportunity to learn and serve beyond the classroom through Grantwell.

“My favorite thing about Grantwell is seeing the students work with our community partners and understand how these organizations are actually helping people in the public sector,” says Dan Heist, an MPA assistant professor.

MPA student John Lidang, who oversaw projects, operations, and finances, as well as relationships with clients, partners, and volunteers, explains, “Sure, a lot of it is logistics and numbers and may be in front of a computer, but what really gives us hope is that what we do gives light to people’s lives.”

BYU Marriott Beacons of Light 150: What does it look like to bring the light of Christ into the military?

That was the heart of BYU 150 Saints at War Memorial Day tribute, where Air Force and Army ROTC cadets, veterans, and leaders gathered to honor the fallen — and to reflect on how faith in Jesus Christ is woven into the fabric of military service for BYU alumni.

Keynote speaker Ken Alford, a retired US Army colonel and BYU professor, explained: "The gospel of Jesus Christ and service in uniform are not incompatible. When done with humility and purpose, military service can be a sacred expression of discipleship."

As cadets gathered to lay a wreath and speak the names of BYU students and alumni who died in war, one thing was clear: these men and women were more than soldiers. They were disciples. And their legacy lives on in every cadet who chooses to carry that same light forward.

BYU Marriott Beacons of Light 150: Paying it forward, one student at a time, one story at a time.

Business students from across the college—undergraduate and graduate—shared personal experiences about finding internships and jobs and overcoming imposter syndrome. The Business Career Center filmed and compiled the videos with the goal of creating a resource library of encouragement and inspiration for future students.

“Storytelling can impact bold change, explains Noelani Wayas, ExDM career director. “Their unselfish willingness to pay it forward to future students exhibited just that...They’re passing on the inspiration to other students, and that will hopefully pay it forward throughout every cohort for years to come.”

BYU Marriott Beacons of Light 150: What if the education you receive today could impact a community on the other side of the world tomorrow?

That's not a hypothetical at BYU Marriott; it's a mission that's been lived out for 40 years.

Since 1986, the Wilford A. Cardon International Sponsorship (CIS) has opened the doors of graduate business education to more than 400 students from over 50 countries. Students who enter to learn and go forth to serve. Not just in boardrooms—but in communities and congregations across the world

Before coming to BYU Marriott, Charmaine Mabini was a working mom and pharmacist in the Philippines who felt like she had something more to do. With the support of the CIS, she has earned her MBA—and she dreams of building a scholarship foundation back home so others have access to higher education, too.

Jesse Poffo, a CIS recipient and MBA student from Brazil, explained what it means to receive an education at BYU Marriott: “We don't need to choose if we are leaders in a company or disciples of Jesus Christ. The way I want to lead, either in the Church or in my career, is as a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

BYU Marriott Beacons of Light 150: BYU Marriott students went halfway around the world to share light in supply chain.

During the spring 2025 global supply chain study abroad, students visited six countries across Asia and the Pacific to identify possible instances of modern slavery in global supply chains. They partnered with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to assess risk in electronics suppliers, presented their findings to church leaders in New Zealand, and visited factories and manufacturers to see firsthand how supply chains work.

"It was really neat to take what I’ve learned in my program at BYU, and to be able to take those skills I’ve learned and apply it in a way that is actually helping real people. So being able to work together to bring better work and better conditions to people—that was a moment for me that really felt important and felt like I was doing what mattered and that we were sharing light.” - Charles Farley, GSCM student