JU Business Students Partner with Nonprofits to Drive Change and Gain Real-World Experience
In an inspiring example of combining education with service, students from 91成人AV University's Davis College of Business and Technology teamed up with local nonprofits, creating a positive impact for both their own learning and the surrounding community.
Three student teams in Dr. Jim Simak鈥檚 Business Management Capstone class worked closely with local nonprofits Diaper Bank of Northeast Florida, Jax Jets Hockey Club and Project Restore Ministries to enhance their organization's operations and outreach.
These partnerships, part of the "Business for Social Good" initiative led by Simak, a JU assistant professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, have yielded significant benefits for both the students and the community.鈥�
The Jax Jets team, comprised of seniors Marissa Etchart and Hannah Schreiber along with junior Michaela Pierson, successfully designed a website, with the help of computer science students, aimed at improving player outreach, scheduling, fundraising and merchandise sales for Jax Jets. 鈥�
Beth Bolger, director of hockey operations at Hockey for Everyone 91成人AV and head coach of Jax Jets Hockey Club, highlighted the impact of having a new website for their organization: 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about the launch of our brand-new website. This comprehensive platform will serve as a one-stop shop for our current athletes and volunteers, attracting prospective athletes and volunteers, and potentially attracting corporate sponsors,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly grateful for the unwavering support we have received from JU, its students and faculty.鈥�
Not only are students helping to raise the profile of this nonprofit, but they鈥檙e also gaining valuable skills they鈥檒l be able to take into the workforce. "The Business for Social Good program challenges our students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world challenges,鈥� explained Simak. 鈥淭hese students have gained hands-on experience in fundraising, marketing, and project management skills directly transferable to their future careers.鈥� 鈥�
The student teams learned many valuable lessons through the partnership with Jax Jets. Etchart, a Business Management and Marketing major, says her experience with Jax Jets has given her the opportunity to apply what she鈥檚 learned in the classroom.
鈥淩eally understanding and diving into the structure of their organization and using strategic outreach techniques has allowed us to contribute to their organization,鈥� she said. 鈥淲orking with Jax Jets has been more than a project, it has been a meaningful experience that shows the impact of sports and creating community support for these children, which resonates with me deeply as a collegiate athlete鈥�
Schreiber, a Management major, has learned a lot that has shaped her project management style and personal development. 鈥淭he ability to adapt is one important lesson; designing programs that meet people's various requirements has proven how crucial flexibility is to success.鈥�
The team for Project Restore Ministries includes seniors Averi Harcus, Jose Cruz-Nunez, Anthony Smith and Daniela Valderrama. Smith, an Aviation Management major, learned how significant a role nonprofit organizations play in the community.
鈥淲ithout nonprofits like Project Restore Ministries, people would be down on their luck and stay down on their luck, so it鈥檚 good that people are willing to help other people at no cost. This is something we really need, especially in the world today,鈥� he stated.
Marilyn Johnson, founder and executive director of Project Restore Ministries, said the student team exceeded her expectations. 鈥淔rom the very beginning with my team, I noticed how intent they were and wanted to learn more because this was something different and yet they saw there was a need to provide a service on their end and they delivered,鈥� she said.
The Diaper Bank of Northeast Florida student team was comprised of seniors Maya Hamilton, Haley Munz and foreign exchange students Cedric Rist and Nele Thoms. Rist said he improved his knowledge of business in general and enjoyed working with his nonprofit.
鈥淚 think there needs to be more awareness of nonprofit organizations because they鈥檙e doing a great job helping people that are in need,鈥� stated Rist. 鈥淚n business, everyone is focused on making the most money and that might not be the best way to go about it.鈥�
Cyrstal Parks, founder and executive director of Diaper Bank for Northeast Florida, said her team met her expectations with their professionalism, creativity and thoughtful recommendations. 鈥淭heir work provided us with practical strategies we are excited to implement, particularly around gathering data from families who receive diapers from our diaper bank. Their fresh perspectives have given us valuable tools to help guide the diaper bank鈥檚 continued growth,鈥� she said.
The Business for Social Good initiative is part of the Davis College of Business and Technology鈥檚 broader commitment to community engagement and experiential learning, providing students with opportunities to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways while making a positive impact on the local community.