Leaders in Nashville's top companies fuel on-site learning beyond the classroom
College of Business “Learn Days” provide students with behind the scenes access to how some of the city's top companies and organizations operate.
Janel Shoun-Smith | 615.966.7078 |
MBA students visit Tractor Supply Company headquarters in Brentwood
At Lipscomb, we like to say, “The world is our campus and Nashville is our classroom.” Perhaps nowhere is that more true than in the College of Business, where both graduate and undergraduate students have a variety of opportunities to learn on-site at companies in a world-class, forward-thinking city, including through the college's custom-designed “Learn Days” held since 2014.
In 2021-22, business as mission, health care and Fast Track MBA students all received the opportunity to move beyond classroom walls and into real-world stadiums, skyscrapers and office headquarters of some of Nashville’s most successful business operations. The 11 Learn Days this past year focused on the sports and entertainment industries, health care, retail and real estate.
Fast Track MBA students at Fifth + Broad Downtown
Students had the chance to absorb the experience and insight of proven leaders in a variety of business sectors, such as Mike Jacobs, general manager of the Nashville Soccer Club; Kent Cleaver (’79) (DB), executive vice president of Pinnacle Financial Partners; Jazmyn Daigle, assistant property manager at Fifth + Broadway; and Gleason Rogers (’10) (DB), director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Tractor Supply Company.
“Learn Days provide an opportunity to see all types of work environments and learn from people working in a myriad of roles from various industries,” said Suzanne Sager, associate dean of professional development and engagement. “Students can compare and contrast their Directed Work Experience organization with those they visit and observe firsthand how the business concepts they are learning in class are applied in different types of companies and non-profit organizations.”
Students on the Tennessee Titans field at Nissan Stadium
The visits allow participants to build their professional networks and relationships with their cohort members, as well as how to prepare for a company visit by researching the presenters and their companies and developing relevant questions, said Sager.
The six Learn Days held for the 33 Fast Track MBA students exposed them to a wide range of highly successful companies such as Martin’s BBQ, Nissan Stadium and the Tennessee Titans, HCA and the Nashville Sounds.
Hayne Hamilton, senior development manager for Panattoni Development Company, gave students a tour of 1030 Music Row, the company’s new office building on 16th Avenue South that is one of only two timber-framed office buildings in Nashville.
Randall Ozinga speaks with students at HCA Healthcare
According to Panattoni, a timber-framed building is more sustainable and carbon-friendly, and provides enhanced acoustical performance, fire safety, structural integrity and construction efficiency.
Lipscomb alumnus Garner Goode (’08, EXNS ’11), senior manager of corporate development, at the Nashville Predators showed the students around Bridgestone Arena and described the Nashville Predators’ delving into new sources of revenue since Tennessee’s law changed to allow sports betting.
Patrick Martin (’96), founder and chairman of Martin's BBQ, Hugh Baby's BBQ & Burger Shop and Martin Investment Group, shared gems of wisdom about the entrepreneurial spirit that students could take to the bank.
Business as Mission students visit OUTsideIN, a social enterprise
The first Learn Day held for undergraduates in the Business as Mission program, introduced students to OUTsideIN, a social enterprise in Troy, Tennessee, that produces travel gear.
OUTsideIN founder, LeEllen Smith (BB), described how the company empowers marginalized women through the creation of whimsical products and meaningful employment.
Two of Lipscomb’s Business as Mission Fellows worked with OUTsideIN for their required consultation project, which involves at least 30 hours spent learning about the business through observation, service and access to the inner workings of the organization to uncover problems and potential solutions.
MHA students at Nashville Healthcare Council event
The four MHA Integrated Weekends at Mercy Community Clinic, Compassus, Pediatric Therapies and the Nashville Health Care Council, introduced students to different facets of health care and the different challenges each facet faces.
Throughout the semester, students apply the knowledge from their coursework to the challenges of these specific companies and then present their recommendations to a panel of health care leaders.