A Blue Wave of Brilliance: Morgan State Business Students Triumph at Penn State Sustainability Competitions

In a commanding demonstration of innovation, teamwork, and academic excellence, Morgan State University’s Graves School of Business and Management (Graves School) students made an indelible mark at the recent sustainability case competitions hosted by Penn State University.

Representing Morgan with distinction, the student team known as Blue Wave Solutions—comprised of Makaila Carroll, Ashley Johnson, Marlon Russell, Noah Scales, and Olivia Sheridan—clinched first place in the 2025 Smeal Undergraduate Sustainability Case Competition held in April. The competition, now in its fifth year, challenged students to harness the power of artificial intelligence to develop sustainable solutions for real-world environmental and social justice challenges. In addition to earning top bragging rights, the Blue Wave Solutions team also received a prize award of $3,000.

The success didn’t stop there.

On Friday, April 11, a smaller contingent from Blue Wave Solutions—Carroll, Russell, and Scales—entered the Circular Economy Innovation Challenge during the 2025 Student Sustainability Business Conference. With only 30 minutes to devise and present a sustainable business plan, the trio’s agile thinking and strategic insight secured them a second-place finish, further underscoring the caliber of Morgan State’s business students even in high-pressure environments.

Both events were organized by Penn State’s Smeal College of Business in collaboration with the Center for the Business of Sustainability and featured a keynote address by a Microsoft sustainability global black belt. The conferences also offered professional development opportunities through a career-focused lunch-and-learn session and robust networking engagements. 

As the Center for the Business of Sustainability concluded its fifth annual Smeal Undergraduate Case Competition, it extended heartfelt congratulations to the winners and expressed sincere gratitude to all participants. The Center emphasized that “innovative thinking and a passion for sustainability are what make each and every one of our competitions a true success.”

Reflecting on the back-to-back victories, the Blue Wave team expressed heartfelt appreciation:

“To experience back-to-back wins like this was a blessing, and it truly wouldn’t have been possible without the support, encouragement, and belief from our Morgan community. We’re incredibly grateful to represent a university that invests so deeply in its students. Thank you again for everything. We carry this momentum forward with gratitude and pride for Morgan State.”

The team’s achievements exemplify the leadership of Dr. Katayoon Beshkardana, assistant professor for Business Administration, whose guidance and mentorship empowered the students to rise to the occasion. Dr. Beshkardana serves as an example of Graves School faculty members committed to fostering resilience and excellence, while creating dynamic environments for student success on and off campus.

Morgan State University celebrates the achievements of Blue Wave Solutions, a team whose name now echoes among the best in student-driven sustainability innovation. Their remarkable performance serves as a beacon of the University’s commitment to academic rigor, real-world impact, and the holistic development of tomorrow’s global leaders.