Covey Case Competition Challenges Students to Lead Through Real-World Business Issues

The Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center recently hosted its annual Covey Case Competition, bringing together 20 teams of four students from majors across campus to tackle a timely and complex business challenge.

This year’s competition focused on the expansion of data centers by Amazon Web Services, requiring students to navigate issues of growth, sustainability, and stakeholder impact. Teams applied strategic thinking, collaboration, and principled leadership to develop and present their solutions.

For more than six years, Ken Thompson, Principal Partner at AlignOrg Solutions, has partnered with the Covey Center to make the competition possible. Their generous support funds a $6,300 prize pool, including $4,000 awarded to the top team of four — making it the most generous case competition at Utah State University.

“We are deeply grateful, it would not happen without them,” said Bret Crane, Executive Director of the Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center. “More than a competition, this experience develops the durable skills employers are seeking: critical thinking, communication, principled decision-making, and team leadership under pressure.”

This year’s winning team members are:

• Izzy Hamblin
• Brady Adams
• Rylan Bean
• Gage Thornton

The Covey Case Competition continues to provide students with hands-on leadership experience that prepares them to address complex challenges in today’s business environment.