Annual Summer Innovation Academy introduces high school students to possibilities
In July of 2018, Jordan Anderson stepped on East Carolina University’s campus as a rising high school junior to attend the Miller School of Entrepreneurship’s inaugural Summer Innovation Academy, a weeklong camp for high school students centered on entrepreneurship.
The innovation academy had other intentions, as well. The main goal is to introduce how participants can turn ideas into reality. It also allows organizers to familiarize attendees with ECU and what it’s like to be a Pirate.
It was the latter that stuck with Anderson. Before attending the innovation academy, Anderson had set her sights on a state university west of town. That soon changed.
“Attending it opened my eyes to all ECU has to offer its students and community,” said Anderson.
Today, Anderson is working on her Master of Science in accounting at the Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business. She received her undergraduate degree from ECU in 2023 after receiving numerous COB accolades. She will take her talents to the professional services firm EY in 2025.
“ECU offers the best of both worlds in that it provides big opportunities for its students while maintaining a small atmosphere that allows for individualized and personal experiences for every student,” said Anderson.
On the innovation academy itself, Anderson’s biggest takeaway was the exposure to the many aspects of starting and running a business. “You cannot stay in business if each (facet of business) is not carefully cultivated and sustained to keep up with our rapidly changing economy.”
COB Dean Mike Harris, left, catches up with Jordan Anderson during July’s Summer Innovation Academy. The two met when Anderson attended the first academy in 2018. (Photo by Steven Mantilla)
Those lessons led Anderson to a career in accounting, and she hopes current students have similar experiences after attending this year’s Summer Innovation Academy.
Sa’Niyah Williams Rogers, left, speaks with Corey Pulido, organizer of the Summer Innovation Academy (Photo by Michael Rudd)
Cultivating future entrepreneurs, Pirates
This year’s innovation academy, its seventh, kicked off a weeklong run on July 10. Sixteen students from Pitt County, Beaufort County and the Charlotte area were exposed to the basics of entrepreneurship and how to launch a business idea. Highlights of the innovation academy included learning lean launch startup methodology and one-on-one feedback from local entrepreneurs and investors.
Immersive exercises focused on:
- creative approaches to problem-solving;
- discovery of an idea to solve a problem;
- challenges and decisions involved in starting and growing a business; and pitching an idea to raise capital.
Sa’Niyah Williams Rogers of Trenton, North Carolina, is a rising junior in Greenville’s South Central High School. This year’s innovation academy marks her fourth. Since her first innovation academy, she knew she wanted to be a licensed esthetician and provide hair and nail services for her clients. When asked how the innovation academies have helped her, she said, “Learning how to market my business.”
“I learned how to connect with people and get advice from different people,” said Williams-Rogers. “I would say right there is the main thing that has helped me and my business grow.”
How has it grown? Williams-Rogers says she now makes almost $1,000 a month.
Like Anderson, Williams-Rogers does plan to attend ECU after she finishes high school. Master of Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees are on her horizon.
Corey Pulido organizes and manages the innovation academy for the Miller School. Jordan and Roger-Williams’ success is a perfect example of what the innovation academy is trying to accomplish.
“I’m so proud of the success both Jordan and Sa’Niyah have achieved,” said Pulido. “I believe our academy demonstrates that anything is possible once you settle upon an idea to pursue, whether it be a personal or professional goal.”
To bring students to the innovation academy, the Miller School partnered with the Churches Outreach Network, which handled the recruitment and logistics of the children and helped develop the beginning stages of the program.