LSU Students Place 2nd at the 2024 LASHRM Case Competition
November 15, 2024
On November 8, 2024 in Marksville, Louisiana, the Louisiana Society of Human Resource Management (LASHRM) held its 2024 LASHRM Volunteer Leaders' Summit. As part of the summit, LASHRM hosts student teams from around the state to take part of a case competition. This year, 7 schools sent 9 teams to take part in the competition. Lead by Dr. Edward Gibbons, Associate Professor of Professional Practice in SLHRD, LSU sent 2 teams to compete.
At the case competition, teams will analyze a business case study and offer a solution, preparing and submitting both a written executive summary and oral presentation to be given on the day of the competition. The teams will take part in preliminary and final oral presentation rounds.
(left to right) Madison Scott, Claire Nickels, Nicole Lenfant, Abigail Soudelier, Emily Cannon, Edward Gibbons
What is a Case Competition?
The Case Competition is made up of two phases: the pre-event virtual preparation, followed by the onsite oral presentation. As part of the competition's virtual preparation, teams will analyze a business case study and offer a solution, preparing and submitting both a written executive summary and power-point sides for the oral presentation to be given on the day of the competition.
At the in-person event, preliminary and final oral presentations rounds will occur, in which teams will compete by delivering an oral presentation to a panel of judges.
For the LASHRM competition, the judge panel was comprised of content experts from around the state. Following the final oral presentations, the first, second, and third place winners will be announced.
Participating in a case study competition provides students with an invaluable opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world HR challenges. These competitions enhance their analytical, problem-solving, & teamwork skills.
Edward Gibbons, PhD, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, SLHRD
Meet the Teams
TEAM 1
(left to right)
Madison Scott
School of Leadership & Human Resource Development
Claire Nickels, Team Captain
Rucks School of Management
TEAM 2
(left to right)
Nicole Lenfant
School of Leadership & Human Resource Development
Emily Cannon, Team Captain
School of Leadership & Human Resource Development
Abigail Soudelier
Rucks School of Management
The Competition
Students in the case competition were presented with an intense challenge: developing an HR solution to prevent turnover within a high-pressure forensic laboratory system impacted by the "CSI Effect." This effect, known for its exaggerated portrayal of forensic work, heightened expectations and created an unrealistic view of the field.
The case study was both engaging and insightful - it gave me the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in my first semester of grad school to a real-world context. My team and I put in a lot of hard work, including meetings with HR professionals to refine our presentation. This experience was immensely valuable.
Emily Cannon
A public forensic lab in the southeastern U.S., serving a community of six million
people, faced unprecedented strain. With a staff of 150, including 53 newly hired
scientists, the lab managed an annual caseload involving 1,000 violet crime cases—all
requiring DNA analysis. The volume of processed samples had surged from 3,000 to 30,000
per year, testing the limits of staff capacity and morale. Students were tasked with
finding innovative HR strategies to sustain the workforce and reduce turnover in this
demanding environment.
Their preparation was intensive: collaborating closely with faculty to delve into
key challenges, conducting thorough research to support their solutions with best
practices, and holding multiple mock presentations for faculty and local business
professionals. Each practice session brought invaluable feedback, allowing the teams
to refine their strategies and sharpen their delivery. Armed with polished insights
and expert recommendations, they confidently prepared to compete against seven formidable
teams, ready to showcase their hard work and expertise.
With anticipation and nerves at an all-time high, the two teams confidently presented their final strategies to a distinguished panel of judges. Their hard work and dedication paid off when Team 1 was announced as a finalist. After an intense round of competition, Team 1 emerged with an impressive second-place finish, solidifying their status as one of the top teams in the state. Their journey was a testament to teamwork, innovation, and resilience, leaving them proud and motivated for future challenges.
(left to right) Edward Gibbons, Claire Nickels, Madison Scott, Susie Cox
Entering a case competition opens up doors to making new friends, learning new skills, adapting to change, and taking on a new challenge never seen before. The thrill was real!
Madison Scott
We are incredibly proud of our students and deeply impressed by their dedication and hard work throughout the competition. Their commitment, innovative thinking, and teamwork showcased their true potential and exemplified the spirit of excellence. Congratulations to all for an outstanding achievement!
About the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development
The LSU School of Leadership & Human Resource Development (SLHRD) delivers premier programs crafted to shape exceptional leaders, expert practitioners, and distinguished educators in the field of Leadership and Human Resource Development. Offering BS, MS, and PhD degrees, SLHRD equips professionals with cutting-edge skills in leadership, strategic planning, critical analysis, problem-solving, and change management—key competencies essential for driving success in today’s dynamic global landscape.
About the Rucks Department of Management
The Rucks Department of Management prepares students to evaluate an organization’s competitive environment, resources, and capabilities, identify critical managerial and implementation issues, and effectively tackle various organizational situations.