KELOWNA — A group of Okanagan College (OC) business students, their advisors and faculty members were recognized nationally at the annual Enactus National Exposition.
About 800 students, 500 industry leaders who serve as judges and 100 faculty advisors from across the country take part in the competition, which was held from May 4 to 6 in Toronto.
A team of 24 students from OC’s school of business participated in the event, bringing home multiple podium finishes.
Christine Ulmer, with OC public affairs says the financial literacy team came in second place in the country behind Simon Fraser University.
“[They beat] out powerhouse competitors from Saint Mary’s University, Windsor, Ryerson, and Memorial and receiv[ed] a $2,000 cash prize,” said Ulmer in a news release.
The financial literacy team’s presentation focused on the CanSave program, which Ulmer says is about teaching financial skills to elementary students.
“Having just completed the second phase of the CanSave pilot program, our team is now fueled with a strong desire to expand the program across the province, ensure its sustainability and make a lasting change in the financial literacy and lives of those it touches,” said OC bachelor of business administration student, Abbey Jones.
Ulmer says the competition included a new category this year: the youth empowerment team and OC’s team came in third in the country in that category behind Ryerson University and the University of Windsor. The team took home a $1,000 cash prize.
Ulmer says the financial prizes will help fund the team’s participation in next year’s competition.
Ulmer says the nationals team from the college placed in the top 20 and advanced to the semi-final round, before being beat out by last year’s national champion and this year’s finalist, the University of Ottawa.
“This year marks the 10th year of operations for Enactus Okanagan College,” said Okanagan School of Business professor Dr. Kyleen Myrah.
“I am continually inspired by the incredible work our students do in the region and the outstanding support we receive from all our community partners. I can’t wait to see what they will achieve in the decade ahead.”
Two students and two of their mentors also received awards for leadership during the event.
Click here to view the full results from the exposition.
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