Three campuses. Two countries. One successful product pitch.
That’s the task that six Nebraska Wesleyan University students were challenged to as participants in the program, “Network Globally, Act Locally.”
Network Globally, Act Locally (NGAL) is a shared program between Nebraska Wesleyan University, College of Charleston in South Carolina and the University of Tartu in Estonia. The program — made possible through the Harry and Reba Huge Foundation — challenged six students from each school to form teams and develop a product or service that demonstrates social entrepreneurship.
NWU students selected included Elenita Donley, Jessica Gehr, Ryan Hagenson, Jennifer Heywood, Tarryn Tietjen and Rhys Williams.
Though a seemingly daunting task, recent graduate and NGAL participant Jennifer Heywood of Lincoln said students came well prepared.
"Everyone came in knowing what they wanted to do," said Heywood, who graduated in May with degrees in art and communication studies. "I learned how to work in groups and with others from other cultures."
In March students flew to Estonia where they met their new group members, shared their thoughts on some of the world's biggest issues and their ideas on how to fix them. From there the young entrepreneurs began brainstorming their products that would be pitched before a panel of judges in June.
After 10 days of face-to-face work in Estonia, students returned to their respective campuses and continued to work from afar.
"Talking with others from different time zones was difficult,” said Tarryn Tietjen, a junior communication studies and psychology major from Hebron. "I was up at 7 a.m. because that was a time that worked for everybody."
Teams conferenced weekly, delegating tasks and determining progress. They relied on instant messaging for daily updates.
"It was really awesome to learn how people communicate verbally and nonverbally in other cultures,” said Tietjen. “That was the most valuable part of the class for me."
Heywood and recent NWU graduate Rhys Williams joined a team that developed a service called, "Servlink: Connecting A Community for Social Change." Servlink is an application designed to bring together nonprofit organizations and volunteers based on needs and locations. After interviewing nonprofit agencies in Lincoln, the teammates found that organizations are more challenged by retaining current volunteers than acquiring new ones. The group modified their application to reflect their research.
In June, students concluded their four-month project in Charleston, S.C. where they participated in a week-long launch camp. The camp concluded with the pitch event before a panel of judges who would consider investing in the products and services. Judges included the chair of the Bank of South Carolina, the Estonian Ambassador to the U.S. and Lincoln attorney and business developer Kent Seacrest.
During their pitches students shared what each had contributed to the product’s design and the need it addressed.
The Heywood and Williams group won fourth place and $100 toward improving their product. Their team now hopes to further develop the product with the help of funding and software.
But it was the experience that mattered more, said Williams of Superior.
"I have a stronger appreciation for entrepreneurship and being socially conscious,” he said. “You can't separate the two."
The NGAL course connected many aspects of business, technology and communication. Communications professor Rachel Pokora, who joined Professional Studies professor James Perry in teaching the course, said she too learned a great deal from the experience. Now she looks forward to seeing the impact that NGAL has on her students’ futures.
"I was hoping they could have a direct experience to try and make the world better," said Pokora. "And now that they have, they can take their real world experience and use it to make the world better."