1.
The challenge
In 2010 SW Washington experienced
• Changing Economic Landscape
• Fewer Farm and Forest jobs
• Highest unemployment in State
• Scant capacity to support
small business growth
• Need for “job-ready” graduates

2.
The solution
+ + + =
S T U D E N T C O N S U LTA N C Y M O N T H LY A L L I A N C E F O R U M

3.
Client: Seely Family Farm
Challenge: synthetic mint
changing the market
Business shift: creation of their
own mint candy
Student consultancy: created
a growth plan and marketing
strategy so they could scale up

4.
Small business benefits
• About 500 hours of free
consulting
• Actionable plan for growth
• Ongoing monthly forum
of clients rated students’
analysis and recommendations
as good or excellent.
91%
“From the first meeting to the last I
remained surprised and impressed
with the caliber of the students, their
commitment to the project, and the
depth and quality of their research
and recommendations.”
C L I E N T
Q U O T E

5.
Student benefits
92%of students felt the MAP
experience prepared them
for the business world.
• Teamwork and professionalism
• Confidence by solving real
business challenges
• References and
recommendations
• Job opportunities
“When grades are more than just
a number, but an actual product
to a customer, motivation is on
another level.”
S T U D E N T
Q U O T E

6.
Mentor benefits
• Rewarding opportunity to help
students and small business
• Exposure to cutting-edge
classroom knowledge
• Get to know the future
workforce
of mentors rated their experience
working with students
as good or excellent.
94%
“I love seeing the students coalesce
as a team and begin to think of
themselves as consultants—a team
with a client who is depending on
them—rather than students seeking
a good grade.”
M E N T O R
Q U O T E

7.
Impact
86Businesses took part in
monthly Alliance forums
In 2015/16,

8.
Driving engagement and collaboration
Advisory board
14 members
3 committees
Partners
30+ organizations
Mentors
50+ volunteer
network
Sponsors
10 in 2015/16

9.
MAP sustainability
COMMUNITY CAMPUS

10.
The model is replicable and scalable
Syllabus, tools and best
practices shared with other:
• Courses
• Units
• Campuses in the WSU system
• Universities

11.
Use our framework to create a program
Start small and
under promise.
Grow as the
community gets
involved.
START WITH
• Advisory board: Learn what your community needs
• Faculty: Identify a champion within the faculty
• Mentors: Recruit alumni and community leaders
to volunteer
TO B U ILD
• A strong community and university partnership
• An unparalleled student experience and learning outcomes
• An enriching avenue for alumni engagement
• A unique opportunity to advance regional economic
development

12.
The Seelys’ transformed business

13.
Thank You.
J A N E C O T E , P h . D .
WSU Vancouver
Academic Director, Carson College of Business
janecote@wsu.edu | 360.546.9756
M I S T I E J O S E P H S O N
WSU Vancouver
MAP Manager, Carson College of Business
bgmap@wsu.edu | 360.546.9533