One group of Indiana Wesleyan University students has already applied their business skills to make a difference in a local school.
The students from MBA Cohort 640, which meets at the Cincinnati (West Chester), Ohio, Education Center, were approached by the board of Calvary Christian School in Covington, Kentucky, to help address the problems the school is facing due to declining enrollment.
Calvary Christian seeks to provide a faith-based education that equips youth to impact the world for Christ. Despite their students scoring very high in standardized testing, the school’s enrollment is half of what it was just a few short years ago.
This opportunity intrigued the students of Cohort 640, who recognized the mission of Calvary Christian to be very similar to that of IWU and felt they could make an impact.
“When we saw the quality product that Calvary Christian offered and the market’s underutilization of that product, we just had to jump at the opportunity,” said Julia Tillman, MBA student. Tillman and her 15 classmates, led by Professor Larry Johansen, conducted an internal and external analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that face Calvary Christian School.
After examining new markets and strategies, the group made recommendations and delivered a marketing plan in a presentation to the board of Calvary Christian School on February 6. The board left the meeting with action items and strategies that they could immediately put into place in an attempt to help broaden their recruitment and enrollment efforts.
The students from Cohort 640 are exploring additional opportunities to continue a relationship with Calvary Christian School that will put into practice the plans devised by the group. Jay Wampler, class representative from Cohort 640, stated, “Not only was it a great experience that provided us with real-world marketing practice, but we had the opportunity to effect change for a great Christ-centered organization.”
Indiana Wesleyan University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree options for adult students in the Cincinnati area, including programs in accounting, business, education, management, nursing and technology, as well as serving online students in the area.
IWU also has education centers in Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton, and other learning sites throughout the state.