{"id":18137,"date":"2026-08-07T16:46:44","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:46:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=18137"},"modified":"2026-08-07T16:46:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:46:44","slug":"experiential-learning-comes-to-life-at-maryvilles-2026-summer-biztech-camp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/experiential-learning-comes-to-life-at-maryvilles-2026-summer-biztech-camp\/","title":{"rendered":"Experiential Learning Comes to Life at Maryville’s 2026 Summer BizTech Camp"},"content":{"rendered":"
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2026 Maryville BizTech Camp student volunteers. Pictured: Student Leaders; Imaan Tahir, Camila Shi, Taylor Mason, Mitchell McCoy, and Rafeh Mirza<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Maryville University’s\u00a0BizTech\u00a0Camp is a three-day\u00a0program\u00a0that\u00a0connects high school students with faculty, student leaders, alumni, and industry professionals through hands-on entrepreneurship and mentorship.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Maryville University, experiential learning\u00a0isn’t\u00a0confined to classrooms. It happens through mentorship, collaboration, and real-world experiences that challenge students to apply what\u00a0they’re\u00a0learning while growing as leaders.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That philosophy was on full display during the 2026 Summer\u00a0BizTech\u00a0Camp<\/a>, 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout the program, students\u00a0explored\u00a0entrepreneurship, 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\u00a0for 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Growing the Next Generation of Leaders<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

While the projects challenged students academically, the relationships built throughout the week may have been just as meaningful. Campers worked closely with Maryville faculty, 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“One of the most rewarding parts of the week was watching the students discover confidence they didn’t know they had,” said Mitchell McCoy<\/strong>,\u00a0Master of Business Administration student and Senior Project Manager with Maryville Solutions. “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\u00a0prouder\u00a0of every one of them.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Meet the\u00a0Faculty and Student\u00a0Leaders Behind\u00a0The\u00a0Camp<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The camp was led by Dr. Kathleen Young,<\/span>\u00a0Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator,<\/span>\u00a0Dr. Christopher Gourdine,\u00a0<\/span>Associate Professor of Business Administration & Management<\/span>, and Dr. Guangwei Fan,\u00a0<\/span>Associate Dean of Mathematics and Computing Sciences.<\/span>\u00a0Their\u00a0leadership\u00a0shaped\u00a0an engaging experience centered on innovation, collaboration, and experiential learning.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maryville Solutions<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Maryville\u2019s student-led consulting initiative, supported the camp with<\/span>\u00a0Jesteena Chuc,\u00a0<\/span>Master of Business Administration<\/span>\u00a0and Solutions Graduate Assistant,\u00a0and Cooper Anderson,\u00a0<\/span>Master of Science in Accounting<\/span>\u00a0and Solutions Senior Project Manager\u00a0both returning after helping lead the inaugural 2025 Summer\u00a0BizTech\u00a0Camp. Current student leaders Imaan Tahir,\u00a0<\/span>B.S. Marketing<\/span>,\u00a0and Taylor Mason,\u00a0<\/span>B.S. Actuarial Science<\/span>,\u00a0coordinated the camp’s daily programming and activities, while project captains Mitchell McCoy, Camila Shi,\u00a0B.S. Actuarial Science,\u00a0and Rafeh Mirza,\u00a0<\/span>B.S. Cybersecurity<\/span>,\u00a0each mentored the three student teams throughout the week.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Four of the seven student leaders involved\u00a0in\u00a0this year’s camp are members of Maryville Solutions, reflecting the University’s commitment to developing student leaders who apply their experience through mentorship and service to others.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mentorship in Motion<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At Maryville University, education\u00a0isn’t\u00a0simply about preparing students for their next assignment.\u00a0It’s\u00a0about preparing them for their next opportunity. Programs like the Summer\u00a0BizTech\u00a0Camp\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0that when students are challenged through authentic experiences and surrounded by mentors who believe in their potential, confidence follows, and future leaders begin to\u00a0emerge.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/i>Love<\/span>0<\/span><\/span><\/a> <\/i> <\/i>