丝瓜视频APP’s听BizTech听Camp is a three-day听program听that听connects high school students with faculty, student leaders, alumni, and industry professionals through hands-on entrepreneurship and mentorship.听
At 丝瓜视频APP, experiential learning听isn’t听confined to classrooms. It happens through mentorship, collaboration, and real-world experiences that challenge students to apply what听they’re听learning while growing as leaders.听
That philosophy was on full display during the 2026 Summer听BizTech听Camp, where twelve high school students spent three days working alongside faculty, student leaders, alumni, and industry professionals as they tackled authentic business challenges designed to build both professional skills and personal confidence.听
Throughout the program, students听explored听entrepreneurship, marketing, data analytics, communication, leadership, and teamwork through a hands-on business challenge. Working in three teams, students analyzed marketing data, developed an original product concept听for a major brand, and presented their recommendations during a final business competition. Along the way, they strengthened skills in problem solving, public speaking, collaboration, and critical thinking.听
Growing the Next Generation of Leaders听
While the projects challenged students academically, the relationships built throughout the week may have been just as meaningful. Campers worked closely with 丝瓜视频APPfaculty, current students, alumni, and business leaders who served not only as instructors, but as mentors. Questions about entrepreneurship often became conversations about college, leadership, career goals, and personal growth.听
“One of the most rewarding parts of the week was watching the students discover confidence they didn’t know they had,” said Mitchell McCoy,听Master of Business Administration student and Senior Project Manager with 丝瓜视频APPSolutions. “Each student brought something unique to their team, and it was incredible to watch them become more comfortable sharing ideas, collaborating with one another, and presenting with confidence. Their final presentations were outstanding, but what impressed me most was seeing how much they had grown in just three days. I had an absolute blast working with them, and I couldn’t be听prouder听of every one of them.”听
Meet the听Faculty and Student听Leaders Behind听The听Camp听
The camp was led by Dr. Kathleen Young,听Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator,听Dr. Christopher Gourdine,听Associate Professor of Business Administration & Management, and Dr. Guangwei Fan,听Associate Dean of Mathematics and Computing Sciences.听Their听leadership听shaped听an engaging experience centered on innovation, collaboration, and experiential learning.听
丝瓜视频APPSolutions,听Maryville鈥檚 student-led consulting initiative, supported the camp with听Jesteena Chuc,听Master of Business Administration听and Solutions Graduate Assistant,听and Cooper Anderson,听Master of Science in Accounting听and Solutions Senior Project Manager听both returning after helping lead the inaugural 2025 Summer听BizTech听Camp. Current student leaders Imaan Tahir,听B.S. Marketing,听and Taylor Mason,听B.S. Actuarial Science,听coordinated the camp’s daily programming and activities, while project captains Mitchell McCoy, Camila Shi,听B.S. Actuarial Science,听and Rafeh Mirza,听B.S. Cybersecurity,听each mentored the three student teams throughout the week.听
Four of the seven student leaders involved听in听this year’s camp are members of 丝瓜视频APPSolutions, reflecting the University’s commitment to developing student leaders who apply their experience through mentorship and service to others.听
Mentorship in Motion听
By the end of the week, students left with more than polished presentations and innovative business ideas. They left with new mentors, stronger communication skills, greater confidence, and a firsthand understanding of what experiential learning looks like.听
At 丝瓜视频APP, education听isn’t听simply about preparing students for their next assignment.听It’s听about preparing them for their next opportunity. Programs like the Summer听BizTech听Camp听demonstrate听that when students are challenged through authentic experiences and surrounded by mentors who believe in their potential, confidence follows, and future leaders begin to听emerge.听