Participating faculty and student teams from more than 75 member schools from across the nation recently travelled to the Small Business Institute’s® 2018 National Conference in Orlando, Fla. to receive SBI Project of the Year (POY) Awards. 

After it was all over, a team proudly representing the UNM Anderson School of Management including Evelyn Micelotta and her students, took seocnd place honors in the Graduate/Comprehensive category for developing a strategic plan for the Albuquerque-based SVN Commercial Brokerage. 

“We are very excited to receive this award. I appreciate the work the UNM SBI office did on our behalf to coordinate our client relationship and I am proud of the excellent work my students did to receive this national recognition," Micelotta said. "In addition, this experience gave my students an opportunity to add to their in-class educational experience by working with a local business on their important strategic challenges.”   

SBI client, Walt Arnold, managing director at SVN, added that, “The UNM Small Business Institute is a valuable resource for businesses in the community. The work is detailed, comprehensive and relevant. It will be very helpful in growing our business over the next several years.”

“The SBI provides students a unique educational experience and their clients, in-depth business consulting advice and a professional, scalable business plan to guide their future,” said Stacy Sacco, UNM SBI director. 

Since its founding in 1978, the UNM SBI has assisted more than 800 businesses, including start-ups, family enterprises and nonprofit organizations. Every semester, a handful of UNM Anderson faculty members work with 20-25 local clients and student teams, comprised of 3-5 students, to assist with strategic planning, and marketing research studies. 

For more information, visit the UNM Small Business Institute.