Crisis Challenge

The Program

Crisis Challenge prepares you to lead in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. You will be immersed in a simulated business and media crisis where you will test your ability to strategize through extreme turbulence, think on your feet, and demonstrate poise under pressure.

You and your team will play the part of senior executives tasked with responding to the crisis as it unfolds: you’ll receive emails, social media updates, phone calls and more throughout Thursday night. Then, on Friday, you’ll come to Michigan Stadium to present your strategy to your board of directors (made up of esteemed U-M alums), journalists, and the public. Along the way, you’ll receive personalized feedback from business leaders, communication coaches, and faculty experts.

Leadership Crisis Challenge is made possible by the generous support of PNC Bank.

Our undergraduate program is run with the help of Net Impact, a student-run organization.

Get Involved

Crisis Challenge is open to all U-M students and is offered twice a year: once for graduate students and once for undergraduate students. To get involved, fill out our registration form, which is posted to this page a few months in advance of each program.

Program Type

Action-Based Learning

Key Dates

2020 Undergraduate Challenge
Thursday, March 26 & Friday, March 27

Consistent with university policy regarding the COVID-19 virus, this event has regrettably been canceled.

Questions? Email us.

2021 Graduate Challenge
January 2021, dates TBA

Time Commitment

Approximately 10 hours over 2 days

* You do not need to be present the entire day on Friday. Your team will be assigned a 50-minute window in the morning or early afternoon. The final round of competition typically begins around 3 PM and ends by 5 PM.

Participant Requirements

• Any U-M Student
• Ability to attend both days

Prize

Three finalist teams will receive a reward that is split between team members.

Teams

Teams will be formed at check-in on March 26. An opportunity will be available for you to be on a team with a friend or someone you know. More information will be provided the week of the Challenge.