A longstanding partnership that sparked the creation of a pair of signature experiential learning opportunities at Fisher will continue thanks to the ongoing generosity of KeyBank Foundation.

Through a $500,000 commitment, the organization has renewed its support of the KeyBank MBA Student Case Competition and the KeyBank Leadership and Creativity Undergraduate Student Symposium.

“We are honored to continue our work with KeyBank and KeyBank Foundation to provide tomorrow’s business leaders with hands-on learning experiences that will help shape their professional and educational development,” said David Harrison, senior director of Fisher’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion Student Services and Corporate and Community Outreach (ODISSCCO).

“For nearly 20 years, Fisher has worked hand in hand with KeyBank to offer students opportunities to build their knowledge and expand their networks. We are grateful for this wonderful win-win partnership. This gift renewal brings KeyBank’s total commitment to programming at Fisher to more than $3.5 million since 2005.”

Created in 2005, the MBA Student Case Competition provides an opportunity for teams of graduate students to hone their business acumen and team-building skills while learning from KeyBank executives. The event, administered by ODISSCCO attracts teams from 25 to 30 leading academic institutions from across the country to KeyBank’s headquarters in Cleveland for a weekend dedicated to building their presentation, critical thinking, analysis and research skills.

The case competition, which will mark its 20th anniversary in 2024, has attracted more than 1,000 MBA and business graduate students from 89 colleges and universities.

Since 2008, the Undergraduate Student Symposium has brought students from universities across the country to Fisher for a three-day, intensive camp focused on critical skills necessary to excel in business, including leadership, creativity, product innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and persuasive communication. In all, 660 students from 94 institutions have participated in the symposium since it was created.

“We are grateful for the partnership with Fisher and its Office of Diversity and Inclusion Student Services and Corporate and Community Outreach,” said Karen White, senior vice president and manager of community relations and corporate initiatives at KeyBank.

“Through these programs, we are able to provide valuable learning experiences designed for students to hone their business acumen in leadership, creativity, analysis management and interpretation, confidence in presentation, and persuasive communication. Arguably, these are all necessary attributes of successful leaders in corporate settings.”