One of the benefits of earning an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh School of Business is the proximity to innovative companies and executives who open their doors to our students. The Integrated MBA Capstone course takes students behind the scenes at companies to learn about cutting-edge business innovations.
The 52 MBA students in this Integrated Capstone course recently completed an immersive weekend. The students completed assignments before the weekend and then spent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday touring companies, attending panel discussions, working on their projects, and delivering presentations.
“I enjoy the immersive weekend format because it creates a high-energy, focused atmosphere that facilitates greater interaction and deeper engagement among peers,” says Harry Harkins (MBA/MPIA ’25).
Innovation in the Real World
This semester, the course featured two company site visits, at Dick’s Sporting Goods (DSG) headquarters and the Pittsburgh International Airport.
“Pittsburgh is the perfect place to experience innovation firsthand,” says Sungwon Sim (MBA ’25).
The DSG visit highlighted the company’s culture of innovation, giving students hands-on experience and asking for their feedback on new in-store applications. They explored how technology enhances customer service and product accessibility, with a live demo of advancements in the golf performance market. The visit concluded with a networking lunch with MBA alumni and executives working at DSG.
The second visit showcased how the Allegheny County Airport Authority is driving innovation and workforce development at the Pittsburgh International Airport. On the program side, Cole Wolfson (MBA ’08) introduced xBridge, a startup incubator for new technologies relevant to airport operations, from robotic baggage handling to renewable energy to sustainable food waste management. The latter featured Ecotone Renewables, which was co-founded by Kyle Wyche (MBA ’24), a former student in the Integrated MBA Capstone course.
Continuing the discussion of programming, Alicia Booker highlighted PIT2Work, a workforce development program that is building a local talent pipeline to support airport infrastructure. “Ensuring that the airport represents everyone who lives in the region is key to its success, which is why our new terminal is being built for Pittsburgh, by Pittsburgh,” says Booker. “This project is adding thousands of jobs for people in local communities.”
The visit concluded with a tour of the airport’s microgrid, which powers the entire facility with natural gas and solar energy, ensuring both sustainability and resiliency, and reinforcing the region’s leadership in innovation.
“The capstone course’s focus on innovation challenged me to think creatively and strategically about solving complex problems,” says Christopher Spanbauer (MBA ‘25). “It reinforced the importance of adaptability and bold thinking, skills I’ll continue to apply well beyond graduation.”
Panel Answers Wide Range of Questions
The Saturday panel explored institutional influences on innovation in the Pittsburgh region. Topics discussed included: talent retention, government versus private sector innovation, and collaboration in siloed organizations.
With over 50 pre-submitted student questions, the discussion was engaging, and panelists connected with students before and after the event, fostering valuable networking opportunities. Panelists included Jim Kelly, former graduate executive-in-residence and retired founder and CEO of multiple startups; Arvind Venkat, state representative in House District 30 in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and Michelle Powell (MBA ’16), director of product management at Transfix.
Value for Students
All MBA students—whether they are enrolled in a full-time, part-time, or joint-degree program—engage in a capstone experience. This experiential learning course is intentionally taken during an MBA student’s final semester to complete the requirements for graduation.
Sim found value in the whole experience. “I really enjoyed listening to the panel of leaders from tech, business, and government, discussing innovation from different perspectives,” he said.
Michael Duli (MBA, ENGR ’26) credited the all-encompassing experience to Clinical Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Tom Davis. “He brought everything together in a meaningful way that integrated everything we have learned to this point,” Duli says.
Accelerate Your Career
At Pitt Business, we help students find the MBA program that is best tailored to their individual academic and career goals, providing the highest possible return on investment. Options include a 12-month accelerated format, 18-month full-time format, flexible part-time format, or dual/joint MBA degree options. Click here for more details or request more information.