The Lundquist College of Business is celebrating the grand opening of its CoLAB, a collaborative space that provides students with hands-on experience in essential business technologies.
Students are already flocking in for skill-building and social connection.
Located in Chiles 323 in the Lillis Business Complex, the CoLAB includes the latest software and equipment, as well as workspaces supporting multiple programs. It houses our Flight School, which connects experienced, upper-division student mentors with first-year students for social, professional, and academic guidance. It is also home to Professional Edge, our industry-informed program designed to help students further develop the cutting-edge skills essential for the modern job market.
Technology Lab Manager and trainer Warren Goodson highlighted some of the new and exciting technical capabilities available at the CoLAB. A large TV rolling stand includes an integrated webcam for running training and events in the space. New projectors have been added, and tables are easily arranged for flexible collaboration. The college’s new Bloomberg Terminals are also available in the space, providing 24/7 financial data updated in real time.
“It’s an incredibly exciting tool for finance students, especially, but also for all the business students here,” Goodson said. “Looking toward the future, we are excited to have this be a very dynamic collaborative space. We already have tons of student traffic coming through, using the student practice rooms to collaborate, or to study individually or together.”
Lorena Landeros, who co-directs the Flight School program with JD Van Alstyne, explained how the space is a way to get our first-year students connected with the college.
“Lillis can be a little intimidating sometimes,” she said. “So our mentors use the space to host students, especially by this beautiful window.”
Joy Peterson is one of those mentors.
“What I like about this program is that I get to hone in on the skills that I've grown and developed over the years at the university, learning about anything from communication to leadership, to facilitation, to mentorship,” she said.
Similarly, Katherine Banz, a junior studying finance, admitted she was anxious before jumping into Professional Edge.
“I was really excited when I got in and had the opportunity to work with such a notable brand, Target,” she said. “I would really encourage every single student no matter your major, no matter your year, to apply for the immersions and the trainings. It just changed my whole perspective of what I want to do.”
Ali Abbasi, a first-year MBA student specializing in sustainability, said he felt thankful and empowered after adding Professional Edge to his political science and international studies background.
“Professional Edge fill those gaps in,” he said. “I’m continuing that skill-building as I'm part of the Lithia Immersion program this term.”
The CoLAB is the result of an infusion of critical support from Braddock Philanthropies for student achievement and career readiness. The Bloomberg Terminals are thanks to a gift from Ferguson Wellman, with Owen Hyde, Chris Leupold, JC Lorenzo, Daniel McCormick, Mark and Nancy Palmer, and Vista Capital Partners.
“We couldn't do this without our faculty and staff champions encouraging students to participate in this program,” said Trish Dorman, during the CoLAB opening celebration. Dorman heads the Professional Edge program.
“This space also would not be possible without the generosity of Braddock Philanthropies,” she said. “It's been such a joy. All of you, all of the students who are part of it, keep me energized—and we're just getting started.”
—AnneMarie Knepper-Sjoblom, Lundquist College Communications