Weatherford, OK – A team of students from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) earned a top 10 national finish in the Collegiate Leadership Competition (CLC), a notable achievement in only the university’s second year of participation.
Competing against 29 teams from universities across the United States and Canada, the SWOSU team placed 10th overall after advancing through the Midwest Regional competition, which was hosted on the SWOSU campus. The event brought together student leaders from diverse academic backgrounds to demonstrate adaptability, communication, and teamwork under pressure.
Founded on experiential learning, the Collegiate Leadership Competition consists of six rounds of leadership challenges designed to simulate real-world organizational scenarios. Teams prepare over a ten-week period by participating in guided practice sessions while developing strategies rooted in leadership theory and applied decision-making. The specific activities are not revealed to participants until the competition, requiring teams to respond in real time without advance preparation.
SWOSU earned the highest individual activity score of the competition during an exercise titled “Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes.” In this activity, teams were tasked with defusing a simulated bomb by deciphering complex codes and clearly communicating critical information to a designated diffuser, testing trust, role clarity, and communication under time constraints.
The SWOSU team represented a broad range of academic disciplines and cultural perspectives. Team members included Khyrstyna Melnychuk, a senior psychology major from Ukraine; Per Otto Heden, a junior BBA management major from Sweden; Prajwal Santhosh, an MBA graduate from India; Cambden Tremblay, a junior nursing major from Yukon; Destiny Batchelor, a senior BBA marketing major from Weatherford; and Jayden Bunce, a junior education major from Lubbock, Texas. Students were recruited through the President’s Leadership Class, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the SWOSU Business Department.
Dr. Todd Wiggen, associate professor in the SWOSU Business Department, served as team coach and Midwest Regional Facilitator, with Dr. Lauran Fuller, assistant professor in the Business Department, serving as assistant coach.
“This competition gives students an opportunity to apply leadership principles in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment that mirrors professional decision-making,” Wiggen said. “The growth we saw in this team—from confidence to communication—was substantial. With several students returning next year, and strong interest from other students across campus, we’re positioned not only to improve our national standing, but to grow the leadership pipeline at SWOSU.”
With three returning competitors, the university expects continued improvement in future competitions and increased opportunities for students interested in developing practical leadership skills. Participation in the Collegiate Leadership Competition is open to students from all majors, with recruitment for next year’s team already underway. Students interested in participating or community members interested in serving as judges for next year’s competition may contact Dr. Todd Wiggen at todd.wiggen@swosu.edu.
About Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.
For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit www.swosu.edu.
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