Four Missouri State University Master of Business Administration (MBA) students earned second place at the 2025 National MBA Case Competition in Ethical Leadership.

During the Nov. 13-15 competition hosted by Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, Missouri State’s team delivered a standout performance among a highly competitive field of 14 schools. The team ranked ahead of many research-intensive institutions, reflecting the strength of the MBA program.

The team was comprised of Rebeca Clarida, Jada Jones, Josiah Jones and Madelynn Jared. Jared and Clarida are marketing majors; Jada is a data analytics major; and Josiah is a management and leadership major. All four are also in the accelerated MBA program.

Besides the team award, Josiah and Jared received individual honors: Best Presenter and Best Q&A Performance, respectively.

“This milestone was a meaningful way to represent Missouri State and apply what we’ve been learning through the MBA program,” Jared said. “On top of our team placing, I was honored to receive my award, which affirmed the work and analytical discipline our team put into the process.”

A high-pressure test of strategy and ethics

Over the two days, the students worked nearly 24 consecutive hours on a complex ethical leadership case before presenting their recommendations and defending them during a Q&A session with the judges. The format demanded endurance, quick thinking and the ability to apply ethical reasoning in real time.

“The level of dedication they showed was remarkable,” said Dr. Jeff Jones, associate dean of the College of Business. “They pushed through fatigue and kept sharpening their ideas to deliver an outstanding presentation.”

The MO State team’s mix of skills helped them evaluate the case from multiple perspectives and build recommendations that were both practical and creative.

“This experience strengthened my skills in structured problem-solving, time-sensitive solution development and effective teamwork,” Jared said.

A national result that elevates the MBA program

This competition underscores the students’ personal motivation and commitment. Their achievement aligns with Missouri State’s “Igniting Opportunity” strategic plan, which emphasizes experiential learning and real-world application.

“Their performance shows our MBA students can compete with the best nationwide,” Jeff said. “They represented the university with professionalism and excellence.”

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