YSU supply chain students compete in Pitt’s FreeMarkets Race to the Case

Four students from Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration recently represented YSU at the University of Pittsburgh’s 12th annual FreeMarkets Race to the Case. This marked the third year a YSU team has competed in the supply chain challenge.

The team included Akriti Parajuli, Abby Hughes, Jacob R. Crawford and Vince Koludrovich.

Teams worked against the clock through rounds of supply chain problem-solving, racing between locations on Pitt’s campus.

“What I loved most about the competition was how realistic it felt, almost like I was actually working for a company and solving real-world business problems under time pressure,” Koludrovich said.

In addition to competing, the students met industry professionals and students from other universities.

“The competition was a lot of fun, and I was so happy to have been a part of it,” Hughes said. “I especially enjoyed working with the YSU team and getting to know like-minded students from other universities. It was a great event!”

The team was advised by Alina Marculetiu, assistant professor of management and marketing, and Jeong Hoon Choi, associate professor and adviser to YSU’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter.

“Case competitions bring classroom learning to life with realistic business problems to solve on a ticking clock,” Marculetiu said. “Students weigh alternatives, share work, assume responsibilities as team members and defend their recommendations to industry judges who ask the kinds of questions they would at work. Students leave with an experience they can discuss in job interviews, increased confidence and a stronger sense of what being a business professional means.”

She said some of her favorite conversations as an adviser happen after the competition.

“Students say, ‘This is what we should have done differently,’” Marculetiu said. “The after-the-fact reflection that happens shows that students leave knowing how they’d tackle the next challenge better.”

Events like Race to the Case reflect WCBA’s commitment to career readiness by helping students build confidence, make professional connections and gain experience beyond the classroom.