MARTIN, Tenn. – The Master of Business Administration program at the University of
Tennessee at Martin provided fall 2022 students the opportunity to work directly under the owners and managers of local businesses as outside consultants through the Management 790 Consulting Project class. Student teams used all MBA competencies such as data gathering, analysis, interpretation, critical and creative thinking, and decision-making when executing the project.
Supervisors of the student teams included Dr. Sam Faught, management professor, John Clark, interim director of the UT Martin Horace and Sara Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking, Landy Fuqua, REED Center director, and Carolina Vela, graduate assistant.
Vela, an international student from León, México, was hired as the graduate assistant to assist with the MBA Consulting Project. Vela has a bachelor’s degree in international business from La Universidad de La Salle Bajío, and an international exchange experience in Lille, France, at IÉSEG School of Management. Vela applied for the graduate assistant position with hopes to learn, improve and keep acquiring experience in the business field for the future.
The first student team worked with Hamilton-Ryker Group, a staffing and total workforce
solutions agency, to provide an in-depth analysis of the environment affecting the company, addressing both internal and external factors. They were also asked to create a strategic recruitment and retention action plan. On Dec. 3, the group presented their project and recommendations to representatives from Hamilton-Ryker Group.
“The team that worked on our project was like a breath of fresh air,” said Winston Howard,
Hamilton-Ryker branch manager. “I’m happy to say that whatever company is able to land any of these remarkable young men and women will be blessed to have them.”
Students involved on the Hamilton-Ryker project were Alexis Dixon, of Gates, Ali Seyedkavoosi, of Martin, Indiann Agee, of Dyersburg, James Fogg, of Nashville, Marshall Hamill, of Martin, and Melissa Starling, of Martin.
The second group of students was asked to provide an in-depth strength, weakness, opportunity and threat analysis for Wendell Alexander Realty Group. Additionally, they needed to find the company suitable customer relationship management software that should keep and use information between their three different companies that operate in different markets: Wendell Alexander Realty, Top Tier Auctions, and Skyhawks Rentals. On Dec. 3, the group presented their project and recommendations to representatives from Wendell Alexander Realty Group.
“The MBA consulting project with local businesses allowed our companies the opportunity to
gain insight and perspective on how we are perceived by our community,” said Jacob Crowe, director of marketing for Wendell Alexander Realty. “The university and its resources are something to be proud of, and we are grateful for the opportunity to participate with our future peers in business to help make each of us better.”
Students involved on the Wendell Alexander Realty project were Aleya Brent, of Martin, Baylee Parton, of Camden, Connor Stanley, of Gates, Darnesha Guy, of Martin, Ethan Whitley, of Mason, and Mizuki Sakurai, of Tokyo, Japan.
“The MBA Consulting Project was established to utilize the knowledge and talents of our MBA students to provide research and solutions for real world business issues. We appreciate the time, trust, and commitment from the management teams of Hamilton-Ryker and Wendall Alexander Realty,” said Landy Fuqua, UT Martin REED Center director.
For more information about the consulting projects, contact Fuqua at lfuqua@utm.edu or 731-587-7333.
###