Compete, Connect, Grow 

At the 2025 National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Conference, a group of Bauer College MBA and MS students had the opportunity to expand their network with employers and other graduate students from across the country. 

Now in its 47^th year, this annual conference invites future leaders, industry experts and innovators to build connections, hear from inspiring keynote speakers and participate in a two-day career expo, noted to be one of the largest career fairs in the world.  

This year, a group of 54 Bauer graduate students attended, accompanied by staff from the college’s Office of Graduate & Professional Programs and Rockwell Career Center.  

The college regularly funds conference attendance for 20-75 students a year, RCC Graduate Career Services Associate Director Erin Reed said. In the past, they’ve traveled to Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia, Detroit, New Orleans and other locations across the country.  

The opportunity to travel and attend the conference opens students’ minds to all the possibilities that are available to them throughout the United States, Reed added.  

At the conference, students had the chance to experience the magnitude of the career expo and connect with potential employers, many of whom were conducting interviews on the spot, she said. 

“They really loved the fact that we were there to support them,” she said. “One student came up to me and wanted to practice his elevator pitch right there because the interview was the same day.” 

Additionally, a group of four Bauer graduate students participated in the 2025 NBMBAA Graduate Case Competition. Every year, MBA and MS candidates from premier business schools nationwide compete in the event held during the conference.  

MBA candidate Subhecha Niraula, MBA candidate Nnamdi Ogbogu, MS Finance candidate Andrew Requena and MBA candidate Dylan Zisman had one month to work on a complex business case. At the conference they showcased their problem-solving skills and insight to a distinguished panel of Fortune 500 executives.  

“This is an amazing opportunity for students’ growth, learning and confidence,” Reed said regarding the whole conference experience. “It broadens their perspective and helps them see that there is a much larger world they could tap into. By going to this conference, they’re able to show off all their great skills and talents.”