Denise Coby Completes Experiential Learning Project at SUNY Oneonta

Denise Coby, of Binghamton, NY, has completed an experiential learning project titled "Brand Expansion Meeting Simulations" at SUNY Oneonta.

Throughout the calendar year, SUNY Oneonta students put their classroom knowledge into action as they complete a wide range of experiential learning projects across every academic discipline. Whether studying fashion trends, conducting biological research, analyzing historical archives, working in professional accounting settings or participating in community-based fieldwork, students are gaining real-world experience that prepares them for career success.

These opportunities are supported through the university's Experiential Learning Center, located on the main floor of the Hunt Union. The center connects students with internships, research opportunities, global education experiences, volunteer programs and sustainability initiatives. By emphasizing hands-on engagement and practical skill development, the center ensures that experiential learning is woven into every major at SUNY Oneonta.

"In this semester-long project, my team worked together to develop and lead a strategic brand expansion meeting for a publicly traded fashion company. We proposed that Hermes expand into Lagos, Nigeria by opening a brick-and-mortar retail store, while exploring executive-level decision-making dynamics," said Coby, who is studying Fashion and Textiles.

"The artifact I am submitting is the final slide deck for our brand expansion meeting, which we used to support our meeting with executive stakeholders.

"Throughout the semester, I worked with my team to develop a Gantt chart, meeting memos, and the development of geographic factors, a SWOT analysis and a sourcing calendar. I participated in role-playing as both a meeting leader and Chief Marketing Officer for another team. I helped create our slide deck while ensuring that we used on-brand visuals, images, charts and data in order to summarize our final recommendations for our expansion. During the meeting I presented my findings, defended our choices and had to adapt to on-the-spot questions by executives.

"This project taught me about strategic decision-making inside the global fashion economy as well as how organizations make decisions with cross-departmental executives. I gained experience in leading meetings, communicating quickly and clearly, persuasion and adjusting based on feedback. The role-playing style of the meetings especially helps improve confidence in stressful and high-stakes situations, giving me the skills to think critically under pressure."

Students benefit from a robust network of campus offices housed within the Experiential Learning Center. The Career Planning and Networking Center helps students secure internships in locations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Albany and Los Angeles, as well as with local businesses and nonprofits. The Office of Global Education offers programs ranging from 10-day faculty-led trips to full-year study abroad experiences, while the Office of Student Research and Creative Activity supports student research through grants and opportunities to present at the annual Student Research and Creative Activity Showcase.

SUNY Oneonta invests heavily in helping students access these opportunities. Each year, the university awards more than $120,000 in grants to support student research, internships and travel to professional conferences. In addition, 23 study abroad and experiential scholarships help students participate in faculty-led programs, national competitions and industry events.

To view these students click here: https://oneonta.meritpages.com/achievements/Denise-Coby-Completes-Experiential-Learning-Project-at-SUNY-Oneonta/199467