Salve students compete in Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge Finals in Las Vegas

Salve students compete in Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge Finals in Las Vegas

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If you thought Las Vegas was only for entertainment and bachelor parties, you may be surprised to learn that it's also where top college students go to showcase their skill and mastery of Microsoft Excel, the spreadsheet program used worldwide to organize, format and calculate data.

In Dec. 2024, Las Vegas was the site of the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Challenge (MECC) Finals, and three Salve Regina University students were among those competing. Ty Calinda, Vaughn Randle and Peter Skafas, all members of the class of 2026, earned their Microsoft Excel Expert certification through work in the course MGT031 Excel Modeling and Analysis II, taught by Dr. Teresa Starzecki, assistant professor in the Department of Business and Economics.

They secured spots in the finals based on their scores during the MECC Last Chance Qualification Round, where both students and industry professionals were given the same challenging Excel case. Salve made it to the semi-final round of the competition in both individual and team brackets, with Randle placing in the top half of the individual field and Salve's team placing 12th.

"It was great to be able to compete in front of a worldwide audience, among likeminded people," said Randle. "This experience was helpful in learning what the future looks like - and seeing how much you can learn in a short amount of time."

Since its inception, the MECC has drawn participation from over 8,000 students across 100+ countries and territories and more than 800 schools. The program, designed to enhance Excel proficiency through real-world challenges, enables students to gain hands-on skills, compete globally and earn certificates - all for free, thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, Microsoft, Siemens, BDO, New York Life, Alvarez & Marsal and Equity Methods, who are eager to recruit MECC students.

"Recognizing the critical need for data literacy, particularly the ability to analyze and manipulate data using tools like Excel, I launched Associate and Expert Excel classes at Salve to equip students with these essential skills," said Starzecki. "Excel is fundamental in today's data-driven world, and mastering it empowers students to make informed decisions. The MECC competition further bridges the gap between classroom and industry, allowing students to see Excel and analytics in action while gaining invaluable, real-world experience."

Skafas also highlighted the enriching opportunities for immersive learning experiences, reflecting on how the University has expanded their perspective on potential career paths and opportunities.

"At Salve, we are given amazing opportunities to travel and be a part of immersive experiences within our field of study," said Skafas. "After traveling to both Arizona and Las Vegas for the MECC, my eyes have been opened to the plethora of options available to us."