Cultivating Real-World Solutions For Social Entrepreneurship
Business Students Engage in Social-Change Initiatives At Sullivan Foundation Ignite Retreat, Oct. 7-9
School of Business seniors Camryn Roberts, ’23 (BBA/Concentration in Health Care Management and B.S. in Public Health) and Logan Piotter, ’23 (BBA/Concentration in Business Administration), learned to flex their entrepreneurial muscles while learning more about social entrepreneurship the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation (Sullivan Foundation) Ignite Retreat, Oct. 7 to Oct. 9, in Asheville, N.C.
Designed for college students serious about social change, the retreat –– offered annually in the spring and fall, invites student entrepreneurs to engage in collaborative projects, gain clarity on potential career paths, and dig deeper into a set of problems that ignites their passions. The event is led by a group of facilitators and coaches and features high-energy workshops, entrepreneurship activities, and opportunities to interact with others interested in building a better, more just, sustainable and inclusive world — whether through social entrepreneurship, founding a nonprofit, launching a social-change project, or by simply cultivating and honing their leadership skills and creative talents.
Networking is a big part of the Ignite Retreat. Roberts said she liked talking with people from different backgrounds and perspectives about ideas and projects related to social entrepreneurism.
The conversations challenged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone.”
Camryn Roberts, ’23 | BBA/Concentration in Health Care Management and B.S. in Public Health
Piotter said he learned more about adding social entrepreneurship to his future business goals.
I knew I always wanted to start a business, and I enjoyed exploring those social issues that I wanted to tackle. The experience helped me to think more about the possibilities, beyond making money, to starting a business that [intentionally] addresses a social issue.”
Logan Piotter ’23 | BBA/Concentration in Business Administration
“This retreat targets college students who are serious about social change, giving them opportunities to network and explore shared interests for social entrepreneurship,” said Montressa Washington, Ph.D., associate professor of management and director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship.
Funding for this program is provided by the Sullivan Foundation.
Interested in learning more? Visit https://sullivanfdn.org/programs/ignite/ or contact Montressa Washington at mwashing2@su.edu.
