For a group of University of Maryland students, what began as an opportunity to learn and explore a new city transformed into a milestone achievement on the international stage. Representing the Robert H. Smith School of Business and the QUEST Honors Program, information systems and finance double majors Marvi Shroff (Cohort 42), Eileen Chen (Cohort 41), Meilin Yuan (Cohort 42), and Jiayi Wang (Cohort 41) recently clinched first place at the 2025 Milgard Invitational Case Competition on Social Responsibility (MICCSR), hosted in Seattle, WA. The event brought together 19 teams from five countries, all challenged to tackle a real-world challenge: determining which aerospace giant—Airbus, Boeing, or Embraer—deserved a major investment based on both financial performance and environmental responsibility.

Held annually by the University of Washington-Tacoma, MICCSR offers students a hands-on learning experience at the intersection of finance, consulting, and sustainability. Teams are given two weeks to dive deep into a case brief, research companies, analyze both strategic and operational data, and develop a presentation to deliver to a panel of judges made up of professionals from across the industry. This year’s challenge centered on evaluating aviation industry leaders through a dual lens: financial strength and corporate responsibility—an increasingly complex and globally relevant issue.

A Path to Seattle

Before taking the global stage, the team earned their spot by winning the Smith Invitational Case Competition in January, hosted by the Center for Social Value Creation in partnership with Snider Consulting Group at UMD. Their interest in MICCSR was sparked by both the unique nature of the challenge and the opportunity to make their winter break and spring semester productive. Chen and Wang had heard about the competition through connections with those who ran the SICC competition (at Maryland) and were eager to explore a format that emphasized deep research over general consulting. For the team, it was a rare chance to apply the technical knowledge from their finance courses to a real-world industry case, while also exploring Seattle and working on something meaningful outside of the classroom.

Building the Case for Airbus

During the two-week preparation window, the team approached the challenge like true analysts. Using tools like Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal (PESTEL) analysis, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk ratings, and the double materiality framework, they assessed which company was best positioned to deliver long-term value while managing environmental and social impact. In the end, they recommended Airbus as the ideal investment candidate, citing its balance of financial stability and credible sustainability initiatives. What set the team apart was not just the depth of their analysis, but their ability to communicate it effectively. Drawing on their QUEST experience, the team delivered a professional, engaging presentation that impressed the judges—earning high praise for their clarity, confidence, and team chemistry.

“The QUEST program helped us know what a good presentation looks like,” Shroff shared. “Small practices like passing the mic, not looking back at the slides, and knowing how to properly field tough questions really helped us stand out.”

The team also credited their success to the supportive culture at UMD, particularly the example set by QUEST, Smith, and AKPsi alumni who had competed in MICCSR in previous years. The team, who all met through Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity at Smith, were able to draw impactful insights from previous presentations—including the AKPsi team who took home 1st place back in 2022. With this year’s win, UMD has now produced two MICCSR champions in just four years—a testament to the strength of its programs and the preparation students receive.

Lessons in Leadership and Sustainability

Beyond the trophy, the competition offered a deeper takeaway: a better understanding of the growing convergence between financial health and social responsibility. The team reflected on how businesses can no longer treat sustainability as a separate initiative as it is tightly linked with long-term profitability. 

“Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s how companies are going to survive and thrive,” said Wang. “Using the double materiality approach helped us show how social and environmental performance matter just as much as the bottom line,” added Chen.

For Yuan, the experience bridged her finance major with her sustainability minor in a meaningful way. “It showed me that companies are looking for professionals who understand both financial strategy and ESG impact, and I will definitely be reaching out to these companies in the future.”

Advice for Future Students

For fellow students thinking about case competitions—or unsure about stepping into something new—their advice is simple: just go for it.

“You don’t need to have it all figured out,” the team encouraged. “Be open, ask for help, put in the research, and embrace the challenge. The growth is worth it.”

Whether analyzing ESG frameworks, presenting to international judges, or navigating the complexities of sustainable investing, this team proved that real-world impact starts with curiosity, collaboration, and courage. Their MICCSR victory is not just a testament to their hard work—it’s a reflection of how QUEST students are uniquely prepared to lead with purpose. With new skills, meaningful memories, and a first-place trophy in hand, the team hopes their story inspires other students to take that leap—to step into unfamiliar challenges, pursue opportunities beyond the classroom, and trust in the power of learning by doing. Because with the right mindset and mission, students aren’t just solving case prompts—they’re shaping the future of business.