Showcasing Talent and Innovation

Southwestern Adventist University Team Competes in Prestigious 2024 HSI Battle of the Brains Competition

Oct 29 2024 - 5:00pm

By: Southwestern Adventist University

Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, is proud to announce its students' outstanding participation in the fourth annual HSI Battle of the Brains, a premier national competition presented by KPMG. This prestigious event, held from October 2-5, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, serves as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) academic national championship and an experiential diversity recruiting showcase, connecting top Hispanic talent from universities nationwide with leading industry professionals.

SWAU students Sandra Morales-Beas, Mike Benitez Reyes, Jason Munsterteiger, Nancy Hernandez, Joselyn Juan, Eyrelynn Perea, Julie Baur, and their advisor, Professor Licci Zemleduch, represented the university. Competing against other highly skilled teams from HSIs nationwide, these students showcased their talents, creativity, and problem-solving abilities in addressing real-world business and technology challenges.

The HSI Battle of the Brains competition brings together accounting, business, and STEM students from the Hispanic diaspora. Teams compete in a 24-hour marathon to develop comprehensive solutions to complex business challenges. This year's participants were tasked with crafting strategies for social engagement tools, marketing plans, and go-to-market strategies for cutting-edge technology solutions. The competition evaluates teams based on their ability to analyze problems, propose innovative solutions using emerging technologies, and deliver persuasive presentations to a panel of judges.

The HSI Battle of the Brains, sponsored by KPMG, Dell Technologies, Capital One, eBay, Visa, Amazon,and Electronic Arts (EA), not only provides a platform for excellence but also opens doors to invaluable career opportunities for participants. The competition serves as a dynamic diversity recruiting showcase, allowing top Hispanic talent to network with leading companies and mentors in business and technology fields. As part of the event's service component, participants packed over 3,500 lunches for children reliant on free or reduced-price meals.

"We are incredibly proud of our student's performance and dedication throughout this rigorous competition," said Licci Zemleduch, the team's advisor. "Their participation in the HSI Battle of the Brains exemplifies SWAU's mission to cultivate innovation, leadership, and service among our students. This competition allows them to put their knowledge to the test and make meaningful connections with industry leaders that will benefit their future careers."

Teams at the event competed for scholarship prizes, including a $50,000 first-place prize, $15,000 second-place prize, and $10,000 third-place prize.

About Southwestern Adventist University:Located in Keene, Texas, Southwestern Adventist University is a private Christian institution committed to academic excellence, knowledge, service, and fostering leadership in a Christ-centered environment. As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution, SWAU offers programs that prepare students to tackle real-world challenges and positively impact their communities.

About HSI Battle of the Brains:HSI Battle of the Brains is a premier competition designed to highlight the top business and STEAM students from Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the U.S. Its mission is to address the underrepresentation of Hispanics in industries by providing students with opportunities to connect with industry leaders, gain professional development, and showcase their talents through industry-specific challenges.