Selections from the 2025 Case Writing Competition: Business Communication Case and Student Example

Laura Nicole Miller Assumption College ; Katherine Chay University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ; Jenna Haugen University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Abstract

This case, developed for the 2025 ABC Case Writing Competition and sponsored by the ABC Student Competition Committee, asks students to apply persuasive communication strategies to a real-world crisis in public service. Following a violent incident at the Worcester (Massachusetts) Public Library, students step into the role of Board President to advocate for staff safety and resources before the City Council. The case highlights the challenges of community advocacy, secondary traumatic stress, and organizational resilience while offering students practice in crafting persuasive, high-stakes messages.

Journal
Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
Published
2026-03-01
DOI
10.1177/23294906261421309
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References (7)

  1. Batista E. (2024 August 8). Worcester public library closed to public Friday following incident. https://www.…
  2. Burton P. (2024 August 10). Worcester libraries reopen after employee attacked with skateboard. WBZ News. htt…
  3. Kahle B. (2023 October 9). The US library system once the best in the world faces death by a thousand cuts. T…
  4. Library Research Service. (2025 April 30). Summary of recent public library return on investment studies. htt…
  5. Marino T. (2024 August 19). Worcester public library director discusses attack on employee. This Week in Worc…
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  1. The City of Worcester. (2024). Worcester public library board. https://www.worcesterma.gov/boards-commissions…
  2. Urban Librarians Unite. (2022). 2022 urban library trauma study: Final report. https://urbanlibrariansunite.o…