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JSU recently won the United Way FanRaising Challenge between JSU and SU. Thanks to faculty, staff, students, and alumni for their contributions in support of this 10-day competition. Together, both schools raised over $5,000.
Dr. Melinda Todd, project manager for the United Way giving campaign and director/principal investigator for Metro Jackson says, “It was important for JSU to win this challenge against a huge rival team. It shows our collective support from the campus as well as our local community. When we support our youth, everyone wins.”
The United Way of the Capital Area (UWCA) will use the funds raised from the challenge to support efforts in the Shark Tank Experience Competition. UWCA and supporting partners are sponsoring a regional Shark Tank competition for tri-county area students.
“I think this was a very good way to engage our respective communities around philanthropy using a “flash fundraising” type of event,” said Dr. Ira Murray, president and CEO of UWCA. “This inaugural event was a testament to the efforts and engagement of the JSU community for which United Way of the Capital Area is extremely grateful.”
The purpose of the Shark Tank initiative is to promote creativity, innovation, and college readiness through Project-Based Learning (PBL) utilizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) based entrepreneurship development and cross-collaboration among scholars.
Mentored by teachers and entrepreneurs, students from Hinds, Madison and Rankin counties will have an opportunity to design a S.T.E.A.M product or service. The design should speak to a critical social issue in the community and will be presented to a panel of judges during a culminating event in April 2019.
Students should anticipate gaining leadership, marketing and analytical skills needed for the innovational economy of the 21st century.