Coyote Business Consulting prepares USD business student for Avera fellowship

Feb. 27, 2025

This paid piece is sponsored by the University of South Dakota.

After working with four South Dakota businesses through the University of South Dakota’s Coyote Business Consulting program, Emily Kokales is taking her experience to Avera Health as an administrative fellow in the health care system’s Administrative Fellowship Program.

Kokales, who is originally from Aberdeen, is pursuing an MBA with a specialization in health services administration at the Beacom School of Business. She completed her BBA in health services administration in 2023.

Even before college, Kokales had her sights set on health care administration.

“I knew at a young age I wanted to go into health care. I love solving problems, and I’ve been known as someone who has a lot of empathy,” Kokales said. “My older sister is a nurse, and I quickly learned that the clinical side of health care wasn’t for me. When I was introduced to health services administration, I was excited that I could still work in health care and make a difference, just more behind the scenes.”

Upon graduating this May, Kokales will join Avera Health as an administrative fellow in its prestigious Administrative Fellowship Program.

Offered to one applicant annually, the Avera administrative fellowship is designed to offer a comprehensive learning opportunity and guided work experience in health care administration. Kokales will gain experience in a variety of health care administration areas, including rural health care, acute care hospitals, long-term care, clinic management and health systems development.

“I set my sights on the fellowship program early, and everything I’ve done was with this goal in mind,” Kokales said.

A key factor that helped Kokales achieve this goal was her participation in the Beacom School of Business’ Coyote Business Consulting program. Since 2022, Kokales has taken part in the student-centered initiative that pairs student teams with a South Dakota business to solve a need for the organization.

“When I took a class with professor Tyler Custis, he encouraged me to consider Coyote Business Consulting,” Kokales said. “At the time, I assumed it was something for upper-level students, but when he showed confidence in my abilities, it made me realize I could make a difference.”

Hands-on learning

Kokales has since worked with four businesses, gaining valuable hands-on experience in a variety of fields, ranging from marketing to data analytics.

Her first project was with Breakthrough Psychological Services in Aberdeen, completing a marketing and branding campaign for the small business.

She then worked with the city of Sioux Falls’ Parks & Recreation Department to create a public-awareness campaign about the emerald ash borer. Kokales and her student partners created an educational program called The Lorax Learners to engage children, in hopes they encourage their parents to take action against the invasive species.

“Researching a beetle is not something I thought I would do with my business degree, but it’s something I learned a lot about, and the project showed me how business can take a person in numerous directions,” Kokales said. “That excites me for the future.”

In the fall of 2024, Kokales worked with the South Dakota Retailers Association, helping it improve outreach to new business owners. Kokales and her partner used Data Axle, a data analytics platform, to identify 50,000 new businesses the group could contact. They also created a marketing flyer for small-town banks to distribute, helping connect entrepreneurs with the Retailers Association’s resources.

This semester, Kokales is working with Avera Health, analyzing population trends to determine health care needs in Dell Rapids’ Avera Medical Group, which is a critical access hospital.

Real-world applications

Coyote Business Consulting not only has broadened Kokales’ understanding of business but also has prepared her for life after graduation.

“Coyote Business Consulting has given me confidence in professional settings,” Kokales said. “I’ve grown in my skills and have gained new knowledge and new pathways I didn’t even know would be available to me.”

Her varied experiences have given Kokales a competitive edge in the job market.

“During my Avera fellowship interview, I talked about my emerald ash borer project in response to a question about tackling unfamiliar challenges,” Kokales explained. “It was a great way to show adaptability. Employers really value hands-on experiences, and I’ve had opportunities out of the classroom that I wouldn’t have had without Coyote Business Consulting. It’s a great resume and portfolio builder.”

As a South Dakotan who plans to remain in the state, Kokales is grateful she has had the opportunity to help South Dakota businesses with their needs.

“In just 10 short weeks, we are able to help a South Dakota business flourish,” Kokales said. “It feels good to know that I actually made a difference and an impact on these businesses.”

Through all her projects and as she prepares for her next steps, Kokales credits the Beacom School of Business faculty with helping guide and support her.

“The culture in the Beacom School of Business is so collaborative,” she said. “The faculty are so willing to help, even if it’s not their project or if they’re not involved in Coyote Business Consulting. Everyone takes an all-hands-on-deck approach to help us succeed.

“Beacom and Coyote Business Consulting have been instrumental in shaping my career,” Kokales continued. “The hands-on experience, faculty mentorship and leadership opportunities have all prepared me for my next step at Avera.”

About Coyote Business Consulting

Coyote Business Consulting is a student-centered initiative at the USD Beacom School of Business designed to help businesses stay competitive in South Dakota and throughout the region. The program enables student teams, with the guidance of faculty advisers, to help businesses solve a critical problem for their organization.

The program is in its fifth year and has made a significant impact on South Dakota’s businesses. Students in Coyote Business Consulting have worked on 210 projects, helping hundreds of organizations and reaching 46 of South Dakota’s 66 counties.