Student Takes Columbia Business Education to Babson College Summer Program

Campus Communications Staff / Aug 11, 2026

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ÒùÆÞÉç rising senior Michael Kowalkowski expands his entrepreneurial skills through Babson Build, a selective summer program at Babson College.

This summer ÒùÆÞÉç rising senior Michael Kowalkowski was among the undergraduate students from more than 10 countries selected for Babson Build. Hosted by Babson College, "U.S. News & World Report's" No. 1 entrepreneurship program, Babson Build invites participants to tackle business challenges at the week-long program held in Wellsley, Mass.  

Although initially intimidated by the school’s reputation and his accomplished cohort, Kowalkowski soon realized that he had nothing to fear and a lot to offer.  

Many of the concepts introduced during Babson Build echoed lessons he had already learned through Columbia's School of Business and Entrepreneurship.  

"Seeing those similarities gave me a lot of confidence," says Kowalkowski, who is double majoring in Arts Management and Fine Arts.  

Building on a Columbia Education 

Kowalkowski found his way to Babson thanks to a scholarship opportunity he saw in Columbia's School of Business and Entrepreneurship newsletter. He applied to deepen his entrepreneurial education and meet students from across the globe.  

Babson Build immerses undergraduate students in entrepreneurship through workshops, collaborative projects, and experiential coursework in marketing, finance, negotiation, design thinking, and leadership.

Throughout the week, Kowalkowski collaborated with students representing a wide range of academic disciplines, cultures, and career aspirations, broadening his perspective while putting his Columbia education into practice. 

Bringing a Creative Perspective 

Throughout the program, students worked in teams to solve business challenges before developing and pitching startup concepts inspired by “Shark Tank.” Kowalkowski's team proposed an app that would help consumers identify products aligned with their personal values while recommending ethical alternatives. 

His creative background quickly became an advantage. 

"Coming from an arts background, I brought a different perspective to the conversations," he says. "At the same time, I gained business skills that I can bring back into my creative work." 

Kowalkowski credits Columbia's interdisciplinary curriculum with preparing him to contribute immediately. Courses at Columbia challenge students to solve problems collaboratively, think strategically, and present ideas confidently, skills Kowalkowski found himself relying on throughout Babson Build. 

While there, he pitched a novel business idea like a pro. 

"It felt like something I was totally capable of doing," he says. 

Expanding a Global Network 

The relationships Kowalkowski built proved just as valuable. Working alongside students from around the world broadened his perspective and connected him with peers he expects to collaborate with throughout his career. 

"What surprised me most was how welcoming everyone was," Kowalkowski says. "I left knowing I had built relationships with people I can reach out to throughout my career." 

For Kowalkowski, the experience also reinforced why business knowledge is essential for creative professionals. 

"As an artist, you should understand how business works," he says. "Knowing those skills helps you advocate for yourself and bring your creative ideas to life." 
 
 

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