UMD and American University students competed in the seventh annual Smith Analytics Consortium Datathon, using Maryland data to propose transit-linked mixed-use communities. A cross-university team won top honors, while state and industry partners praised students’ real-world, data-driven solutions and collaboration.

Smith School students participated April 2 in an interfraternity case competition hosted by the Center for Social Value Creation with KPMG, analyzing athletic apparel companies and presenting investment recommendations. Phi Chi Theta pledges won first place among more than 100 participants.

A student-built AI chatbot to combat food insecurity won a UMD competition and national attention. Developed for Capital Area Food Bank, it helps users find nearby resources 24/7 in multiple languages and will be implemented by its creators as interns.

Graduate students from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business placed first in the Americas region and won silver overall at the 2025 Global Sustainability Supply Chain Student Competition for developing an AI-driven, low-carbon logistics platform supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Smith School hosted UMD’s first university-wide AI case competition, challenging students to use artificial intelligence to tackle food insecurity. Partnering with Capital Area Food Bank, the event drew 100+ students who developed AI prototypes to address real-world issues.

The Center for Social Value Creation hosted its Spring Undergraduate Case Competition in partnership with Gallo, challenging Smith School students to develop marketing strategies for Nobilo wine. Six teams presented recommendations to a panel of industry and faculty judges.

University of Maryland students excelled in two national case competitions with support from the Center for Global Business. Undergraduates won first place at CGB’s Grand Global Challenges Competition and competed in Los Angeles, proposing a sustainable alternative to sand mining. Meanwhile, Smith School graduate students tackled business expansion strategies at the NASBITE International Case Competition in Cleveland.

Professors Balaji Padmanabhan and Tejwansh (Tej) Singh Anand led the Smith School’s AI in Business Case Competition, where 120+ students tackled real-world problems using AI. Multidisciplinary teams developed innovative, ethical solutions for industry clients, showcasing critical skills and creativity.

Smith undergraduate students from four business fraternities competed in the inaugural Inter-fraternity Pledging Case Competition at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Judges from SECU Credit Union evaluated financial literacy-based solutions to community issues. The event hailed as a success by CSVC Director Nima Farshchi, showcased experiential learning and social impact.

A Maryland Smith team with a “Big Idea” for a multi-channel market campaign for Toys For Tots took home top honors at the Digital Marketing Association of Washington/Educational Foundation’s fall 2021 Collegiate MAXI Oral Case Competition.