The Rawls College Business Career Awareness Program (BCAP) is an annual summer event in which rising high school juniors and seniors from the Lubbock area visit the Texas Tech campus and the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business to learn about majoring and working in business. During this one-week program, students enjoy the full college experience by staying in residence halls, attending “classes” led by business faculty, and eating in dining halls, all while learning about the field of business.

At this year’s BCAP, 31 students attended the all-expenses paid summer program to learn about the various academic programs offered by the Rawls College, such as accounting, energy commerce, finance, information technology, management, marketing, real estate, and supply chain management. Along with these programs, students learned about other specialized business topics, such as neuroscience, social responsibility, family business and entrepreneurship, business ethics, and negotiation.

Working in groups, students completed a week-long business simulation activity in which they launched and operated their own coffee shops. Students named their shops, selected furniture and equipment, and designed logos. Additionally, they experienced first-hand what it’s like to make decisions about staffing, inventory, and other common business scenarios. At the end of the week, they presented their results at the closing banquet. From this experience, participants saw what it is like to study in the business college and explore interests they may not have been aware of. 

Kirsten Cook, Frank M. Burke chair in taxation, director of the Lyons School of Accounting, and area coordinator and professor of accounting, is one of the faculty who helped make this year’s BCAP possible. Cook said the program hit a new milestone with more than 100 students having participated in the program.

“BCAP 2025 marked the fourth year for this program, and 125 students have participated during its life!” he said. “The purpose of BCAP is to educate attendees about business careers that weren’t on their radar screens as high school students,” Cook added. “BCAP embodies the Texas Tech motto ‘From Here, It's Possible™’ by demonstrating all the doors to career success that a degree in business can open.”

During their week on campus, students received information about the Texas Tech application process, careers available for business majors, student organizations, study abroad opportunities, and student success services. Attendees also took part in a campus-wide scavenger hunt, enjoyed the leisure pool at University Recreation, and played volleyball and basketball at Urbanovsky Park.

BCAP concluded with a closing banquet where students presented their findings about the coffee shop simulation, heard from speakers, including Dean of the Rawls College of Business Margaret L. Williams, Ph.D., and enjoyed a buffet dinner.