School of Business Administration

Rising high school juniors and seniors from across the country used their summer vacation to earn three-hours of BIZ 201-Introduction to business college credit through the School of Business Administration (SBA)’s Female Aspiring Business Scholars (FABS) summer camp.  

A Growing Legacy

FABS, which began in 2022 as a day camp serving nine campers from the Dayton and Cincinnati area, rapidly evolved into a prestigious overnight program. The camp's allure has extended far beyond Ohio, attracting young women from as far as California, Oregon, Texas, and Florida seeking a launching pad into a future in business. 

An Immersive Campus Experience

Throughout the week-long camp, participants are immersed in the college experience. Living in residence halls, they get a genuine taste of campus life, fostering a sense of independence and community. Current business students serve as camp leaders, guiding the campers, hosting activities during downtime, being a mentor and providing invaluable insights into university life.

“I think I made a difference in the camp experience for campers by making them feel more comfortable in an unfamiliar environment and to make sure they were enjoying themselves. I hope I was able to serve as a role-model to these campers, too,” said Megan Saylor, a rising Junior pursuing a double major in accounting and finance and a 2023 camp leader. and giving them a first-hand look into what it is like being a student at UD within the SBA. “I was very open about my experiences and was there to offer any advice I had to give about the college-search process.” 

Comprehensive Business Education

FABS offers an intensive curriculum designed to introduce key business functions and essential skills. Under the guidance of business faculty, campers delve into modules covering accounting, economics, finance, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, management information systems, and operations and supply chain. This broad exposure helps campers identify their interests and strengths within the business world, which in terms helps them explore which majors they may be interested in pursuing at college.

“Students learn and grow tremendously in the course of just one week through FABS,” said Dr. Kathrin Hanek, management faculty and a lead FABS faculty member.  “I think the holistic experience that encompasses a breadth of learning experiences—from the classroom, to professional development, to interactions with real-world professionals—and growth opportunities—such as creative ideation, working as a team, and taking on leadership roles—truly sets the FABS experience apart and gives students a well-rounded skill set that will enable them to keep succeeding in the future.”

Beyond academic instruction, the camp emphasizes practical skill-building. Participants enhance their communication, project management, and teamwork abilities through collaborative projects. They also gain proficiency in essential technologies, from Excel to advanced research tools, ensuring they are well-prepared for future academic and professional endeavors.

Professional Development and Real-World Experience

One of the camp’s standout features is the half-day professional development workshop. Here, campers learn vital skills such as resume building and interviewing techniques, and even receive a free professional headshot. These experiences provide a significant head start in their professional journeys. The professional development workshop ends the day with an etiquette dinner where campers have the opportunity to connect with business faculty and alumnae. 

Maeve O’Connell, a 2021 Marketing graduate, attended the dinner and imparted important advice to the campers. “The biggest piece of professional advice I shared is: Always say “Yes”, always say “Thank you,” and always pay it forward. This was shared with me by a mentor during my internship in 2019 and something I think about every day.”

The culmination of the week’s efforts is the business pitch competition. Working in teams, campers synthesize their learning into a cohesive business proposal, presenting their ideas to a panel of judges. This experience not only reinforces their newly acquired knowledge but also hones their public speaking and persuasion skills to help set them up for success in the future. 

“One way I think FABS sets students up for success is that it gives them a talking point for their future professional endeavors.  Often times, opportunity lies just on the other side of a closed door - I think of FABS as cracking that doorway open for students to give them the confidence or the inspiration to open the door more fully and explore what lies on the other side. Internships and college interviews are a lot easier if you have something to talk confidently about, and I think that FABS and the final business pitch gives campers that confidence,” said Dr. Erica Neuman, an accounting professor and one of the lead FABS faculty. 

Lasting Impact

Although still in its early years, the FABS program is already making a profound impact. Allison Shelly, and Sarah Spaulding, who attended the inaugural camp in 2022, are now rising sophomores at the University of Dayton. Both have secured internships and assumed leadership roles within the university, exemplifying the camp’s potential to propel young women toward successful business careers.

“FABS gave me early exposure to many of the business professors at UD as well as the opportunity to earn my BIZ 201 credit which gave my time to complete another major specific course,” shared Shelly. “Going into my first year, I felt a greater sense of connection to my peers, professors and the dean, more confident in the courses and majors offered at UD, and I was able to add a great new experience on my resume to use at job fairs and to secure on-campus jobs.”

A Bright Future

The Female Aspiring Business Scholars Summer Camp at the University of Dayton stands as a beacon of empowerment for young women aspiring to enter the business world. By providing a comprehensive education, practical skill-building opportunities, and a glimpse into college life, FABS is not only preparing participants for academic success but also inspiring them to become the business leaders of tomorrow. As the program continues to grow, its legacy of nurturing future female business scholars will undoubtedly flourish.