An undergraduate team from the University of New Mexico was announced as semifinalists on Apr. 16 for the 2026 National Ethics Case Competition, which will be held April 16–18 in Washington, D.C.
The event highlights the importance of ethical decision-making among future business leaders. The competition brings together top teams from across the country to address real-world ethical dilemmas and present their solutions before a panel of judges, with $250,000 awarded to the winning team.
The UNM team consists of Andoni Gajjo, Ethan Garcia, Solomon Gbara and Haasika Jagirapu. Lucio Lanucara, a lecturer at Anderson School of Management, serves as their coach. The group includes both upper-level and first-year students studying business and computer science. They formed after competing against each other last fall and then joining forces for national-level contests.
“I didn’t know anyone on the team before, but now I feel like we are a really strong group,” said Haasika Jagirapu. “We know how to work together, and I’m excited for the national competition.”
To reach this stage, they advanced through two rounds involving written analyses and comprehensive case studies focused on topics such as nuclear energy ethics—a subject relevant to New Mexico’s history with nuclear technology. For this round, they prepared an analysis that will be presented in a timed session followed by questions from judges.
“We start with a meeting to identify what we need to learn regarding the prompts,” said Andoni Gajjo. “Then each of us conducts research and brings it back to the group. We review everything together and decide whether to keep, revise or move on from each idea.”
Jagirapu reflected on her experience: “Before this, I thought ethics was just about right and wrong… You have to consider multiple stakeholders.” Gajjo added: “Participating has given me a clearer framework for thinking about ethics… Now I’m able to think more critically about what makes something ethical.”
Solomon Gbara said that exploring complex issues like nuclear energy has broadened his perspective: “It’s extremely complex… It’s reminded me that people from different backgrounds have various perspectives.”
If successful in semifinals, teams will proceed immediately into finals where they must analyze another case within two hours.
“It would be a huge win… Making it to the final round would show that we can compete at this level and put New Mexico on the map in national competitions,” said Ethan Garcia.
The University of New Mexico enrolled more than 24,000 students across its main campus and branches in spring 2023 according to its official website. The university is recognized nationally for its alumni network exceeding 200,000 worldwide—including fellows of national academies—and ranks highly among public schools with notable placements by U.S. News & World Report according to university data.
In addition to academics, UNM is home to cultural resources such as libraries and museums while promoting diversity through community engagement initiatives as stated by university sources. Its athletics program competes in Division I’s Mountain West Conference under “Lobos” branding according to official information, while its campus features Pueblo Revival architecture set within an urban arboretum environment as described by UNM.
As these students prepare for one of their most significant academic challenges yet—representing UNM at a prestigious event—the experience underscores growing interest nationwide in principled leadership.
