Honoring Excellence: Business Connections Mentor & Mentee of the Year

This year, the Business Connections mentorship program brought together 140 students and industry professionals in one of the most impactful experiences within the College of Business. Designed to connect students with experienced industry experts, this program creates space for real conversations, career guidance, and meaningful professional growth.

At its core, Business Connections is about relationships. Mentors generously invest their time, insight, and energy, while students bring curiosity, ambition, and a drive to grow. Together, they create a dynamic learning environment that extends far beyond the classroom.

Every mentor and mentee contribute to the strength of the program, but Emmanuel Oladepo and LeAnn Larson stood apart. Their exceptional commitment, curiosity, and engagement earned them recognition as this year’s Outstanding Mentee and Outstanding Mentor.

Outstanding Mentee of the Year: Emmanuel Oladepo (MSBA, ’26)

In his second year as a mentee, Emmanuel joined the program seeking guidance, growth, and a deeper understanding of his career path. Through his experience, he found exactly that and more.

“The most valuable part of this program was the opportunity to learn from my mentors through their real-life experiences,” Emmanuel shared. “Their insights have helped shape my work ethic, mindset, and commitment to excellence.”

Emmanuel credits much of his growth to his mentor, Lyn King, whose intentional investment and guidance made a lasting impact. “She consistently goes above and beyond to support and guide me… I feel very fortunate to have her as my mentor.”

For Emmanuel, this recognition is more than an award, it’s motivation. “It serves as a reminder that growth, excellence, and success are achievable with the right mindset and willingness to learn.”

Outstanding Mentor of the Year: LeAnn Larson (Sales Training and Enablement Partner, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota)

An alumna of the College of Business, LeAnn Larson has spent the past two years giving back as a mentor, helping students build confidence as they prepare for their careers.

“I was excited for the opportunity to help students build confidence and navigate their early career choices,” she said. “I remember how impactful those early experiences were for me.”

LeAnn also notes that mentorship is a two-way experience. “It’s helped me stay aware of how networking and communication continue to evolve… and reminded me of the importance of adapting to stay relevant.”

She views this recognition not as an individual achievement, but as a shared success. “This award celebrates the partnership I shared with my mentee, the questions we tackled together, and our commitment to being the best Bison we can be.”

Reflecting on her mentee, Elle Dahl, LeAnn described her as driven and intentional. “She didn’t waste any time reaching out… She was prepared, thoughtful, and eager to grow. Elle has a bright future and I’m excited to cheer her on along the way!”

As Business Connections continues to grow, so does its impact—creating opportunities, building confidence, and shaping futures. Learn more or get involved at NDSU's business connections.

This program is made possible through the support of the Edson and Margaret Larson Foundation. Their generosity provides students with access to mentorship opportunities that help shape their futures and strengthen their path to success.