Concordia Nebraska’s Business Club focuses on teaching members to serve and lead through a Christ-centered lens

The Business Club at Concordia Nebraska is a unique opportunity for students in the business department to form community with like-minded peers, exercise leadership skills and take part in various activities throughout the academic year that will assist them both during their undergraduate careers and in future professional pursuits.   

The Business Club's most significant contributions to campus over the past two decades have included the founding of the 10:31 Coffee shop in the upper level of Janzow Campus Center in 2008, participation in the annual Career and Graduate Fair since 2002 and the establishment of the Celebrating Business Luncheon (formerly known as the Women in Business Luncheon) in 2003.  

Senior Katelyn Smith is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Leadership and a minor in psychology. She serves as the current president of the Business Club and manager of 10:31 Coffee. She said that the Business Club is open to any student who is part of Concordia Nebraska’s Business Department and offers an incredible opportunity to advance business acumen. 

“The Business Club is a vital opportunity for students within the College of Business to learn how to serve and lead others through a Christ-focused lens,” she said.  

The Business Club is an incredible opportunity for students within the College of Business to learn how to serve and lead others through a Christ-focused lens.

The Business Club’s leadership team includes a president, vice president, secretary, event coordinators, social media director and treasurer. Students who serve as officers in the club are active members of the club’s Collegiate Leadership Competition team. In addition, members can fill management roles at 10:31 Coffee.  

This year, Smith serves as the General Manager of 10:31 Coffee. She began as a Barista during her freshman year of college, was promoted to Manager-in-Training in her sophomore year, Assistant Manager her junior year and General Manager for her senior year of college (2024-25).  

“My employment experience at 10:31 Coffee reflects the typical succession plan structure established and maintained at the organization for a business student to advance to the General Manager role,” she said. The role has provided her with the opportunity to grow as a business leader and invest in the mission and vision of the organization: “At 10:31 Coffee, every interaction is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those we encounter. Join us as we journey together, fueled by coffee and inspired by grace.”  

“10:31 Coffee began as an entrepreneurship project for Business students in 2008. Since then, it has continued to flourish through a focus to reach the campus community by providing students with a competitive opportunity to gain work experience,” Smith said. Her current responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, conducting hiring and training of employees, supporting inventory management, directing the social media coordinator, enhancing company culture and applying leadership skills to ensure efficient team performance. 

Throughout the academic year, the Business Club also holds events like an ice cream social, laser tag night, and cornhole competition, as well as more professionally focused events like the Leadership and Ethics Symposium and Celebrating Business Luncheon. Each of these events seeks to fulfill one or more of the primary objectives of the Business Club, such as building community among business students, enhancing members’ leadership and project management abilities, providing educational opportunities and serving others across campus by utilizing business knowledge and skills.  

Students in the Business Club may even have access to unique mission opportunities – in 2023, the Business in Mission trip to Cambodia took six students overseas and allowed them to assist the nonprofit organization Garuna Ministries with their outreach efforts among the Cambodian people.  

In addition, students can become part of Concordia Nebraska’s Collegiate Leadership Competition team. The team has won back-to-back National Championships in 2023 and 2024.  

“The Concordia Collegiate Leadership Competition team creates a dynamic practice field that builds a strong community where student leaders can apply what they’re learning in a context that stretches them to the boundaries of their leadership knowledge, skills and abilities. Concordia’s nationally ranked leadership team helps build skills that are critical for future corporate and organizational leaders with a foundation of ethics and a push for excellence. Many CLC team alumni have moved into leadership roles at their respective employers after graduation at a fast pace due to their unmatched skill set from their years of training on the CLC team,” Smith said.  

 “The Business Club provides a space for business students to learn and develop skills to serve and lead others,” Smith said. “In essence, the business department enables emerging professionals to be more successful in their future endeavors because of the opportunities the club provides.” 

Clubs and intramurals at Concordia University, Nebraska provide a place for students to pursue their interests and passions outside of the classroom. With over 35 different on- and off-campus organizations available, there are options for any student. Learn more about clubs and intramurals here.