at the University of Utah
David Eccles School of Business Press Contact:
Eric Walden, Public Relations and Communications Manager
Eric.Walden@Eccles.Utah.edu | (801) 213-1674
First Ascent graduates use End of Year Celebration to thank those who gave them an educational opportunity
As First Ascent Scholars Program participants, administrators, and supporters gathered Saturday afternoon for their annual End of Year Celebration, those in attendance paid tribute to students’ refusal to let disadvantageous circumstances in their backgrounds prove impediments to their success. First Ascent (FA) is a scholarship program that enables academically focused students with significant financial need to attend the David Eccles School of Business, and to connect with the University of Utah as well as the local and global communities while reaching their full academic potential. In between opening remarks from Program Manager Cisco Lopez and closing remarks from Belonging Cohorts [...]
Eccles School professors honored with prestigious awards
A pair of professors from the David Eccles School of Business have been honored for their work, with Sara Malik being recognized for her teaching and Stephen Carson bringing home a notable prize for research. Each year, the University of Utah recognizes the achievements of exceptional faculty members in teaching, research, mentorship and service. Malik, an assistant professor in Accounting, was one of six professors across campus to be honored with the Early Career Teaching Award. “Sara’s dedication to teaching and mentorship makes her an exceptional candidate for this award,” wrote one nominator. “I’ve seen firsthand how she inspires her [...]
Pixels to Prototypes: Eccles Students Tackle Real-World Challenges at 2025 Generative AI Hackathon
Innovation returned to the David Eccles School of Business in full force as 90 students across 27 teams gathered for the second annual Generative AI Hackathon. Hosted by the Information Systems program, this hackathon challenged students to do more than just code — it pushed them to move fast, think strategically, and use tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Midjourney to solve a real-world business problem. Each team took on the role of a digital agency pitching a new website for a fictional but highly specific client: Children’s Steps Pediatric Hospital. The twist? The client expected generative AI to be integrated [...]
