DECATUR, Ill. – Millikin University's Accelerated MBA Class of 2026 recently completed a Performance Learning capstone consulting project for S.I.C. Recycling, Inc., providing the company with innovative, artificial intelligence-driven tools designed to support business growth, strategic planning, and market expansion.
Over an intensive eight-week engagement, MBA students partnered with S.I.C. Recycling, a non-ferrous scrap metal processing company located in Riverton, Ill., to address real-world business challenges facing the recycling industry. The collaboration culminated in a series of presentations in which students delivered actionable recommendations and technology-based solutions to company leadership.
The project focused on helping S.I.C. Recycling better identify and evaluate opportunities for sourcing scrap aluminum and copper while improving its ability to anticipate future industry trends. Student teams leveraged artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis to develop tools that could assist company leaders in making more informed business decisions.
Among the key deliverables were AI-assisted sourcing maps that identified underutilized markets based on population, geographic, and industry trends; customer and supplier discovery models designed to uncover new business opportunities; and forecasting tools that projected changes in the scrap metals market and their potential impact on long-term sourcing strategies. The students also created AI-generated lead-identification systems that could help the company discover prospective customers and suppliers with characteristics similar to those of its most successful existing business relationships.
The project exemplified Millikin University's Performance Learning model, which connects classroom instruction with hands-on professional experiences, allowing students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways while creating value for community and industry partners.
Company leaders praised both the quality of the students' work and the practical applications of the solutions they developed.
"All three projects had great value, but the work focused on AI-generated leads was very impressive," said Rhett Schrock, President of S.I.C. Recycling. "We're excited to have the opportunity to dig deeper into it and explore the impact it could have on our business. Overall, the class exceeded our expectations."
Casey Fischer, Vice President of Raw Materials and Business Development, said the students delivered valuable insights that could be immediately applied within the company.
"The presentation was broken down into three different projects, and all of the groups did a great job," Fischer said. "The amount of actionable data that was provided was eye-opening. We would absolutely work with Millikin students again."
Ben Reynolds, Vice President of Commercial Operations, noted that the students brought fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that challenged conventional thinking.
"The 'similar customer' feature has the most robust and direct application for our business and should make a marked difference in our space," Reynolds said. "The new perspective was fresh, and the approaches to tackling problems were different than our internal thinking, prompting new ideas. It also provided a glimpse into what today's students are capable of as they enter the workforce."
The partnership offered students an opportunity to tackle a complex business challenge while gaining experience working directly with industry leaders. Through research, data analysis, AI implementation, and client presentations, students developed skills that mirror the consulting and strategic decision-making responsibilities they may encounter throughout their professional careers.
The collaboration demonstrates how Millikin's MBA program continues to prepare students to address emerging business challenges while helping organizations leverage new technologies to drive innovation and growth.
Through Performance Learning experiences such as the S.I.C. Recycling capstone project, Millikin students graduate with practical experience, professional confidence, and a proven ability to deliver solutions that create measurable impact in today's rapidly evolving business environment.
