Babson Students Reflect on Finding Diverse Solutions to Business Problems

Halima Konteh, Arshia Tadipatri, Vinny Crosskill, and Michelle Alcocer pose at the Kelley School of Business National Diversity Case Competition
Listen

It’s often said, for something to go right, it takes two. For a team of Babson students who recently participated in the Indiana University Kelley School of Business National Diversity Case Competition (NDCC), the idea that progress doesn’t happen in a vacuum rang even more true.  

Each year during Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, NDCC brings undergraduate teams from business schools across the United States to present case studies and proposals on diversity and equity topics. The theme for the 2025 conference centered on bolstering interest in the field of accounting for first-generation college and under-represented high school students. Over 20 colleges and universities, including Babson, participated, as well as companies such as Altria, Bank of America, Delta, EY, GE HealthCare, and KPMG. It’s both a learning and networking opportunity for students. 

As the Babson team—comprised of Michelle Alcocer ’25, Vinny Crosskill ’26, Halima Konteh ’27, and Arshia Tadipatri ’26—returns from Bloomington, Indiana, and reflects on the conference experience, one idea shines throughout: collaboration. The idea that to find sustainable, productive solutions to real business problems, you need to come together.  

“Working with a diverse team allowed us to bring unique perspectives to the table and create a strategy that reflected the needs of the students we aimed to help,” Alcocer says. “Many participants, including those on our team, were first-generation and from diverse backgrounds. It showcases the importance of representation in these discussions.” 

Real Business Problems, Real Solutions  

According to a 2024 report from the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, one in 10 accounting professionals leave the field because of insufficient diversity and inclusion. They also report that only 23% of accounting professional staff and 18% of partners are non-white. 

Finding thoughtful actions to address pressing business questions such as employee turnover is a hallmark of entrepreneurial leadership. With a business curriculum that values problem-solving and hands-on opportunities, Babson students are equipped for opportunities of this sort. 

“Having gone through Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship my first year and worked in many teams since, I leaned on those experiences when navigating these new team dynamics and fostering psychological safety,” Tadipatri says. “We went back to the fundamentals of Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® and used the iterative approach and build-test-repeat mindset to refine our ideas and solutions.” 

“Many participants, including those on our team, were first-generation and from diverse backgrounds. It showcases the importance of representation in these discussions.” Michelle Alcocer ’25

The Babson team’s case study presentation included student testimonial videos; a proposal for an interactive, specialized AI bot to help with accessibility and a mentorship program; data about the importance of programs such as a professional attire fund; and a campaign highlighting the accessibility and relevance of accounting careers. Their findings and proposals focused on accounting but included ideas that can help all industries expand their applicant pool.  

“If students from underrepresented communities are not seeing others like them in certain roles, it may halt them from going after these roles,” Konteh says. “To address this, businesses need to invest in outreach and mentorship programs, as well as implement sponsorship initiatives to support career advancement for diverse talent.” 

Inspiration All Around 

To prepare, the team leaned on resources from the Office of Experiential Learning and faculty mentorship from Associate Professor of Practice Michele Brown Kerrigan to help make their presentation compelling and actionable. Konteh cites clubs such as the Babson Consulting Association for helping refine her problem-solving and presentation skills. 

From left: Crosskill, Tadipatri, Kerrigan, Alcocer, and Konteh

The weekend provided the team with an opportunity to flex those public speaking and collaboration skills. It also provided a sense of urgency and inspiration as they return to Babson for the spring semester. They can now lean on this experience as they continue their educations and start their careers. 

“It was inspiring to see companies actively prioritizing inclusive initiatives and encouraging discussions about representation in accounting,” Alcocer says.  
 
Ultimately, businesses may have more to gain from taking diversity and inclusion seriously, especially when hiring. “The competition was a powerful reminder that fostering diversity in business is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage,” she says. “Engaging underrepresented groups in fields like accounting can drive innovation and better reflect the communities businesses serve.”

Posted in Community

More from Community »

Latest Stories

Collage of four photos depicting Babson teams celebrating
Keeping Score: A Look at Babson Athletics’ Success by the Numbers From national and conference championships to academic achievements, Babson’s student-athletes continue to post impressive statistics. Here is a look at the numbers behind Babson Athletics’ successes.
By
Eric Beato
Editor / Writer
Eric Beato
Eric Beato is the Editor of Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. A native of Chicago and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Eric has worked as an editor and writer at newspapers across the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Boston Herald. Eric joined Babson College in 2019 after working as the communications director for a private educational travel company and as the managing editor of six regional sports publications.
July 2, 2025

Posted in Community

A clear tip jar with cash sits on a counter
What Ending Taxes on Tips Could Mean for Workers and Tippers Babson thought leaders on tax policy explain how a federal proposal that includes eliminating taxes on tips might reshape the tipping economy.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
July 1, 2025

Posted in Insights

Members of the Babson community behind a Pride banner at the parade
Passion and Pride: How the Office of Belonging and Inclusion Supports the LGBTQ+ Community Babson’s participation in the Boston Pride Parade caps a busy and productive year of support for the LGBTQ+ community by the Office of Belonging and Inclusion, as it advances the College’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
June 27, 2025

Posted in Community