The Knauss Student Experience

Growing up, people are often shown only one clear path to success in life: get your high school diploma then your college degree and fit into society perfectly without making too much noise. Sometimes it’s hard to envision success for yourself when you don’t fit the mold you see represented all around you. However, Giacomo Battaglia, Knauss international business student, decided that he wouldn’t let this box him in and he was going to achieve his goals his own way, on his own timeline. 

The Knauss School of Business is pleased to announce the semifinalist teams competing in the 6th Annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge (FBCC) on December 6. These 16 teams were selected from among 52 unique submissions, and represent four USD schools — the Knauss School of Business, the Kroc School of Peace Studies, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences.

Born and raised on the border of Mexico and the United States in a small town called Calexico, Ethan Noriega grew up struggling to identify strictly with either culture. Living in the U.S. but taking weekly trips over the border to eat, visit family and play golf, he questioned where he belonged. That question alone continues to drive him today to create a sense of belonging for anyone feeling stuck in the “in-between”.