A new semester has officially launched with a surge of energy, fueled by measurable momentum across the college from rising enrollment and strategic faculty recruitment to key infrastructure upgrades designed to meet the growing ambitions of our students. As we expand our capacity, we remain committed to delivering a research informed, career ready education deeply connected to the industries we serve, a mission showcased through the unique human stories featured in this issue. This month, we celebrate an alumna turning professional resilience into a lifelong mission of mentorship, spotlight our 2025 Teachers of the Year whose innovative work in human motivation and gamified learning is setting new standards for excellence, and go behind the scenes of a recent academic challenge where hundreds of high school students discovered that the true foundation of success is built on teamwork, confidence, and community.
Ashley knows that a one-time win doesn't build a career but grit and mentorship do. After navigating a "good, bad, and ugly" career crisis in 2025, this resilient alumna is giving back to CoBA in a way we have never seen before. Her new scholarship doesn't just come with funding; it comes with a "contract for life."
30 Years. Thousands of Students. One Indelible Legacy.
Meet Dr. Steven Karau, the 2025 Teacher of the Year. Whether he's analyzing the psychological triggers of group work or mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs, Karau’s mission remains the same: staying one step ahead. "Success isn't always loud," he says. Learn how this 30-year veteran of the School of Business and Analytics continues to innovate, evolve, and inspire the "Saluki Grit" that defines our college.
From TV producer to GA Teacher of the Year: The Sunder Regmi Story.
Economics is often called the "dismal science," but 2025 Graduate Assistant Teacher of the Year Sunder Regmi is turning it into a game, literally. By ditching traditional lectures for interactive "gamified" concepts, Sunder is proving that when students play, they learn. Discover the secret behind his "Tuesday-Thursday-Friday" chunking strategy.
Balance Sheets & Bragging Rights: Centralia High School Takes Top Honors at SIU’s 28th Accounting Challenge
Hundreds of students packed the SIU campus for the 28th Annual Accounting Challenge and left with more than trophies and scholarships. They got a real taste of university level accounting, high stakes teamwork, and the confidence that comes from competing under pressure. With Centralia taking first place after nearly two years of preparation and CoBA students powering the event behind the scenes, this tradition continues to turn curiosity into capability.