KU Business blog
Stories about the people and programs shaping the University of Kansas School of Business.
Building what's next
A $10M lead gift to the School of Business has jump-started the planning and construction of KU's new hub for entrepreneurial education. The building, which will be located at at 1420 Crescent Road on campus, will serve KU students of all disciplines.
Read about The Hub
Blending classroom learning with wellness
From class project to campus opening, Business Leadership Program students helped launch Shake Smart in fall 2025. In partnership with KU Memorial Union and Recreation Services, they researched student needs, developed the concept and supported planning.
Read about the projectUndergraduate program stories
KU student blends art, business and disability advocacy to expand access
Elizabeth Jane Varelman, a KU Business student, is using art and business to advance disability advocacy. Through a self-designed academic path, metalsmithing work and leadership roles, she focuses on accessibility in higher education and the arts while preparing for law school.
Business students collaborate with KU Memorial Union, recreation services to bring new dining option to campus
Business Leadership Program students helped bring Shake Smart to campus through a yearlong project focused on student wellness. Working with KU Memorial Unions and Recreation Services, the team researched student needs, pitched the idea, and supported planning for the new dining option at the recreation center.
FIN 411 class collaborates with KU Endowment to support investment strategy
Students in Felix Meshke's, assistant professor, FIN 411 Investment Theory and Applications honors class was tasked with a single question for their class: “The market is highly valued, and KU Endowment has almost all its money in the market. Do you think that’s a good idea?”
Student business owner combines passion for fashion with business education
Since 2019, junior Holly Fairchild has been running Vogue Girl Vintage, a vintage clothing resale business. The psychology and entrepreneurship major has been running the business at local pop-up events and has a long-term vending spot at the Kansas City River Market Flea.
Graduate program stories
Doctoral candidate pairs award-winning research with student-centered teaching
Matt Peterson, a KU School of Business doctoral candidate, has earned national recognition for his accounting research and student-centered teaching. A recipient of multiple awards, including a 2025 FASB Emerging Scholar Award, he pairs industry experience with research focused on improving financial reporting as he prepares to graduate in May 2026.
MBA student makes the most out of her undergraduate, graduate experience
From study abroad to art shows to working as a student ambassador, Kaylin Patterson found opportunities at KU that fulfilled her time as a psychology major with business and Spanish minors. Now, she's furthering her education with the KU School of Business MBA program.
Lawrence native returns home for dual master’s in business administration, business analytics
Banner Williams, decided to go out of state for her undergraduate school. Now she is back in her hometown as a graduate student in the master’s in business administration and business analytics program.
Dual Pharm.D./MBA program shows student the business side of pharmacy
Kelsi Lawson discovers future opportunities with Pharm.D./MBA degrees.
Alumni stories
KU Business alumnus Kasi Ross left public accounting to build a community-focused career in Wichita. After returning home, he launched Haven, a Southern-style restaurant that blends food, connection and mentorship.
Christine Porter, a School of Business accounting doctoral graduate, has used her skills, connections and lessons from KU and beyond in her current role leading Wichita State University’s School of Accountancy. ...
The KU School of Business will recognize John Brandmeyer and Ron Lockton as 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients for their leadership, impact and service.
Research and faculty news
Wed, 05/13/2026
Matt Peterson, a KU School of Business doctoral candidate, has earned national recognition for his accounting research and student-centered teaching. A recipient of multiple awards, including a 2025 FASB Emerging Scholar Award, he pairs industry experience with research focused on improving financial reporting as he prepares to graduate in May 2026.
Tue, 05/05/2026
In a new article, Murali Mantrala, the Ned Fleming Professor of Marketing at the University of Kansas, provides a practical framework for how retailers can deploy an ecosystem-centric strategy focusing on interdependent sets that jointly create and capture customer value.
Professional development stories
Meet the KU Business staff: Adri Gordey, Business Professional Development Program
Adri Gordey, career advisor senior, joins the School of Business after working with students in grant-funded research and training programs.
Meet the KU Business staff: Natalia Plotnikov, Business Professional Development Program
Natalia Plotnikov, career advisor senior, joins the School of Business after working for more than 10 years in various career advisory roles at KU.
Meet the KU Business staff: Megan Maresh, Professional Selling Program
Megan Maresh, assistant director and area industry mentor for the Professional Selling Program, has spent her career working with students of all grade levels.
All KU Business blog posts
Wed, 05/13/2026
Matt Peterson, a KU School of Business doctoral candidate, has earned national recognition for his accounting research and student-centered teaching. A recipient of multiple awards, including a 2025 FASB Emerging Scholar Award, he pairs industry experience with research focused on improving financial reporting as he prepares to graduate in May 2026.
Tue, 05/12/2026
KU School of Business faculty experts examine what defines star performers and why a small share of individuals or teams often drives most organizational output. Drawing on research, the blog explores how star performance shapes inequality, creates risk and challenges leaders to rethink how they measure, reward and sustain exceptional performance.
Mon, 05/11/2026
Elizabeth Jane Varelman, a KU Business student, is using art and business to advance disability advocacy. Through a self-designed academic path, metalsmithing work and leadership roles, she focuses on accessibility in higher education and the arts while preparing for law school.
Thu, 05/07/2026
Business Leadership Program students helped bring Shake Smart to campus through a yearlong project focused on student wellness. Working with KU Memorial Unions and Recreation Services, the team researched student needs, pitched the idea, and supported planning for the new dining option at the recreation center.
Wed, 04/29/2026
Students in Felix Meshke's, assistant professor, FIN 411 Investment Theory and Applications honors class was tasked with a single question for their class: “The market is highly valued, and KU Endowment has almost all its money in the market. Do you think that’s a good idea?”
Fri, 04/17/2026
Adri Gordey, career advisor senior, joins the School of Business after working with students in grant-funded research and training programs.
Thu, 04/16/2026
In our Five Question series, faculty at the University of Kansas School of Business share their insights, experiences and advice for students.
Mon, 04/13/2026
Since 2019, junior Holly Fairchild has been running Vogue Girl Vintage, a vintage clothing resale business. The psychology and entrepreneurship major has been running the business at local pop-up events and has a long-term vending spot at the Kansas City River Market Flea.
Wed, 04/08/2026
Kansas native Nathan Spickelmier found career inspiration from a YouTube video of someone speaking Japanese. The business administration major used study abroad and international work experiences to combine language and business, shaping his path toward a global career.
Mon, 04/06/2026
Jonathan Beck, assistant professor of marketing at the KU School of Business, explains how tipping culture has evolved in recent years and how it's changed consumer behaviors.