Students from Appalachian State University showcased their spreadsheet acumen in two Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge (MECC) related competitions for college students to test their talents in real-world scenarios.
The winners are Olivia Snyder and Jordan Engen (First Place), Ashley Meacham and Avery Clark (Second Place), and Rachel Hamlin and Nathan Zimmerman (Third Place).
Pictured, from left, are Snyder, Engen, Meachem, Clark, and Hamlin.
The competition was online and challenged participants to complete a series of tasks within Excel of increasing difficulty within a compressed span of 30 minutes.
The Walker College Dean’s Office sponsored the competition and funded awards for the student winners.
“The competition was really fun, and it allowed me to strengthen my Excel skills in a competitive environment,” said Snyder, an accounting major. International Business Major Hamlin likewise describes the competition as challenging but fun.
Marketing Major Avery Clark and Accounting and Finance/Banking double major Ashley Meacham are repeat winners from the Spring 2024 competitions.
“I get better each time,” said Clark. “It is a fun way to improve on skills you learn in the classroom.”
"A fun way to improve on skills you learn in the classroom."
Finance/Banking and Risk Management & Insurance double major Nathan Zimmerman said the competitions are motivating: “I thought the competition was very challenging, and I would like to compete in more in the future and hopefully improve.”
“A primary goal of these competitions is the building of our Excel skills, through prepping to compete and to spur our curiosity as to how to solve the competition’s challenging questions,” said Dr. Chris McNeil, Alfred T. Adams Professor of Banking and the competition coordinator.
MECC aims to supplement college curriculums by providing engaging and gamified Excel training that helps better prepare students for their careers.
This aligns with multiple Walker College learning goals, including BSBA Degree Program Learning Goals one (Students think analytically to solve problems successfully) and four (Students possess functional business knowledge and technology skills).
This is the second consecutive term that App State has offered a MECC event; six students were winners in the Spring 2024 term.
Related: Six named 'excel'lent in first intra-college Excel competition
Like last semester, App State held two intra-college competitions – one each on September 19 and 23. A total of 115 students competed.
Pictured, from left, are Snyder, Engen, Meachem, Clark, and Hamlin.
MECC Excel winning students from App State - Fall 2024