Abstract

A university business professor has created service-learning opportunities related to business and economic literacy that often involve mentoring younger students. His students participate as teams and showcase their projects at regional and national competitions each year. This effective practice was shared by Dr. Curtis L. DeBerg of the California State University at Chico.

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Issue

University business and economics students gain leadership skills and social awareness through mentoring projects and team competitions.

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Action

A business professor at the California State University at Chico has created curricular and extra-curricular service-learning opportunities related to business and economic literacy. His students participate in the following annual projects:

1. "Wise Kid, Healthy Kid" Youth Entrepreneurship. The "Wise Kid, Healthy Kid" Youth Entrepreneurship Camp is designed to teach children different elements of business and how to apply them in their lives. Camps are offered in the fall and spring.
2. Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE). SAGE is a high school mentoring program whereby high school students complete projects in the areas of entrepreneurship, personal financial management, community service, business ethics, civic engagement, environmental awareness and technology, under the watchful and helpful eye of business consultants and coaches from a nearby university. This program is now operational in 20 California high schools, and has now expanded to included six U.S. states and nine other countries. SAGE has been featured by several national media outlets, including the George Lucas Educational Foundation and Entrepreneur Magazine. SAGE is funded by grants from such companies as Walgreens, Wells Fargo, Pepsi, Finish Line, UBS and the Foor Foundation.
3. Juvenile Hall Consulting. Once a week, a team of 3-5 university SIFE students travels to the Butte County Juvenile Hall to deliver workshops about such topics as interviewing skills, resume writing, how to complete a GED, the importance of finishing high school, how to enroll in college, how to obtain financial aid, etc.
4. Chapman School "Plant a Seed" Project. SIFE students help children plant vegetables and flowers, nurture and fertilize their gardens, harvest their crops, and eventually sell them at the Thursday night Farmer's Market in Chico.
5. International Trade Fair. In April of each year, all high school SAGE teams and Wise Kid, Healthy Kid graduates sell their goods and services at a trade fair at the Chico State gymnasium. SAGE teams from other countries are invited to send sample goods and projects from their countries to sell at a silent auction. On the same day, the California SAGE teams present the results of their projects to a panel of distinguished judges from the business, civic and education communities.

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Context

Founded in 1975, SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) is a global, non-profit organization that offers university students the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, thereby improving the standard of living for millions in the process.

Highly dedicated student teams are guided by distinguished faculty advisors on more than 1600 university campuses in 40 countries. SIFE Teams teach important concepts through educational outreach projects, including market economics, entrepreneurship, personal and financial success, and business ethics to better themselves, their communities and their countries benefit of being a SIFE faculty adviser is a $1,000 stipend paid at the end of each academic year by the SIFE central office in Missouri.

Dr. Curtis L. DeBerg has been the faculty adviser to the Chico State University SIFE team for the past eleven years. He has helped start over 30 SIFE programs in U.S. colleges and universities, and has assisted SIFE teams from such countries as Australia, France, South Africa, Poland, Mexico, the Philippines, and China.

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Outcome

• Good projects are sustained over time.
• Veteran students mentor new, younger students.
• Students exercise teamwork, leadership and communication skills as they conceive, deliver, assess and present their projects.
• Students have the opportunity to showcase their best projects to a panel of judges from the business and civic community in friendly "competitions" held at 22 regional cities each spring. The best regional projects are showcased at a National Career Fair and Exposition in Kansas City, Missouri each May.

The competition is a reward for students at the end of the year, by which they are able to

• Travel;
• Meet students from other campuses;
• Describe how their projects met specific judging criteria(e.g., how creative, innovative, and effective was the team in teaching others about business ethics and social responsibility);
• Have some fun and celebrate their work in the community.

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Posted On

September 29, 2004

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For More Information

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Related Practices

• Finding higher education curricular leadership programs
• Expanding youth employment opportunities with an entrepreneurial endeavor

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Related sites

Students In Free Enterprise: Global

Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE)

Learn and Serve America

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