For 125 years, the Wisconsin School of Business has grown year by year—driven by curiosity, bold thinking, and a desire to lead with purpose. Since its founding in 1900, that entrepreneurial spirit has shaped generations of Business Badgers who dream big, take inspired risks, and give back. Those values remain as vital today as they were at the start—and will shape what’s to come.
To mark this milestone, WSB turns its gaze toward the future.
What might the school look and feel like at its 150th anniversary? What ideas will take root? What traditions will evolve? From classroom to career to campus life, five Business Badgers offer their vision for WSB’s next 25 years.
Their predictions—thoughtful, optimistic, forward-thinking—form a kind of time capsule: unique perspectives, grounded in the present but looking boldly ahead.
Jay Laabs
Chief Executive Officer, Spaulding Ridge (BBA ’98)
In 25 years, WSB will have similar disciplines to today, but the curriculum and how the content is delivered will be radically different. Large language models will render traditional textbooks and lecture halls obsolete. Students will consume more content independently with the support of agentic AI to foster a learning path that is individualized to the learner. The physical building is likely a collaboration area as students share ideas and solve problems alongside each other, faculty, AI agents, and businesses.
With this in mind, students will need to learn how to direct AI across multiple disciplines including finance, HR, and marketing, but there will always be a need to bring a human understanding of what the outputs mean—that is where the university will need to focus its instruction and project-based learning. This will all be supported with strong alignment and collaboration between WSB, Engineering, the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences, and other schools and departments prioritizing advancements in AI and its global implications.
Page Moreau
Associate Dean of Research, Professor, John R. Nevin Chair in Marketing
With the rapid acceleration and adoption of AI technology, growing social, economic, and political uncertainty, and transformative changes in teaching and learning, it is difficult to predict what business schools will look like in the next six months, let alone the next 25 years.
Yet for 125 years WSB has been a leader in business education because it has stayed true to its strengths as a grounded, forward-thinking, and adaptive institution.
WSB continues to thrive through an unwavering commitment to its mission: anticipating the needs of its learners, nurturing the generation of knowledge by its expert faculty, and identifying ways these groups can meet the challenges faced by the citizens of Wisconsin—and the world.
Though technological, social, economic, and cultural shifts are unforeseen between now and 2050, WSB’s adherence to its central mission, and its bold vision for the future, remains constant.
Matt Seitz
Director, AI Hub for Business
In late November 2022, when many current WSB students were still in high school, ChatGPT launched. Since then, AI has begun affecting business, education, and society faster than any technology before it. While experts debate whether it will drive massive structural changes or be “just another major invention” like the PC or internet, the underlying technology continues to improve at a rapid clip. In this time of change, our stakeholders look to us for guidance on how to embrace AI for business.
We may not know the ultimate impact of AI in academia, but I’m confident WSB will meet this moment. Leaders throughout the school are stepping up to embed AI in their classrooms, research business implications, and partner with industry on practical applications. And they’re doing it with UW’s signature earnestness and commitment to excellence. Twenty-five years from now, WSB will be vastly different thanks to our leaders embracing today’s AI-fueled renaissance.
Samantha Flores
Marketing, Management and Human Resources (BBA ’26)
In 2050, I imagine the Wisconsin School of Business will blend cutting-edge technology with a strong focus on human connection. The curriculum will likely be highly personalized, adapting to each student’s strengths and career goals, while also encouraging creativity and critical thinking. Students will use virtual reality and AI-powered simulations to experience real-world business challenges from anywhere in the world, making education more flexible and global.
At the same time, there will be an even greater emphasis on collaboration, emotional intelligence, and ethical leadership, because these qualities will be essential in a complex, fast-changing economy.
Beyond the classroom, WSB will continue to build a diverse and supportive community where students learn from each other’s perspectives and prepare to make a positive impact, developing the skills to directly influence the world around them.
Overall, I see the school balancing innovation and its core values to equip future leaders who are both tech-savvy and committed to using business as a force for good.
Alexander Porte
Risk Management & Insurance (MBA ’26)
Transcript
As a Consortium student liaison and Graduate Business Association board member, I’ve observed the school’s efforts to attract and cultivate exceptional talent. From offering a diverse array of specializations and student activities, to building relationships with employers in high-demand fields like consulting and investment banking, WSB is taking a multifront approach to becoming a competitive option for top graduate-level talent.
But our considerable value proposition goes beyond the classroom to our alumni community. The Business Badger network is a largely warm and gracious one that is eager to support current students and alums alike. The world of business is driven by connections, but being one or two degrees separated from someone doesn’t mean anything if that individual isn’t willing to connect and engage with you. In my experience, Business Badgers are willing to do just that.
This is what separates WSB from other top institutions, and it’s what will make WSB graduate programs highly sought-after for decades to come.