Morehead State business programs prepare future leaders to succeed

Morehead State University's Department of Business Administration is nationally accredited (by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and nationally recognized by College of Distinction. It provides MSU students with opportunities to grow and succeed as they become more prepared to reach their professional goals.

Students in MSU's business programs attest to the personal investment of faculty and staff in their success and to multiple opportunities to gain real-world experience.

"One of the biggest advantages of MSU's business program is the amount of personal connection and involvement opportunities available to students," said Abbi Borders, a junior marketing major from Catlettsburg and secretary of campus involvement for MSU's Student Government Association. "There are countless opportunities to gain leadership experience, compete, network, and grow professionally early in your college career."

Students demonstrated their abilities when the Morehead State Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate Team won several awards at the 2026 Kentucky State Leadership Competition held in the spring semester at Georgetown College. MSU had three students who won first and second place in three team events, including Borders (who placed second in the foundations of communication event); Claire Holbrook, a sophomore general management major from Olive Hill, who placed first in the foundations of entrepreneurship event; and Hannah Sparks, a sophomore finance major from Louisa, who placed second in the foundations of economics event and first place in the business ethics event.

"I'm truly honored to be recognized for this achievement," Holbrook said. "The concepts I've learned in the classroom at Morehead State prepared me to approach this competition with confidence, and I'm grateful to represent MSU through FBLA."

"I am very proud to see our FBLA Collegiate students excel in their state competition events," said Dr. Sam Stapleton (Class of 2022), MBA program director and senior instructor of management. "Each year, they dedicate significant time and effort to prepare and compete with peers from across the state. FBLA Collegiate provides the opportunity for our students to demonstrate their knowledge while connecting classroom learning to real-world business experiences."

Opportunities like those provided by MSU FBLA are just one of the many ways the Department of Business Administration helps build the preparation and confidence needed to make their business dreams a reality after graduation.

"What stands out most to me is that the program focuses on not only understanding business concepts, but also applying them in ways that prepare students, like me, for real careers and leadership opportunities after graduation," Borders said. "As I continue through the business program, I look forward to pursuing more opportunities to present, compete, and continue growing professionally through both academics and involvement."

To learn more about programs in the Elmer R. Smith College of Business & Technology, email cbt@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2174.