Eller College of Management Economic Development Program
The Economic Development Program in the Eller College of Management offers community members of all different kinds of backgrounds the opportunity to learn about the elements of a business plan in a college-like setting. The program started back in 2011, when a grant from the Chase Foundation was given to the University of Arizona for economic development.
“It was an opportunity to teach community members not just about building a business plan, but about all of the elements that go into it and how each one is important,” says Ildefonso “Poncho” Chavez, director of the Economic Development Program.
One of the most important elements that Chavez likes the students to take away from the program is the mission of the business. “Why are you creating this business? Who are you creating it for? What is your business going to offer to the community?,” he says.
The six-week course—offered to participants at no charge—began with a class size of 54 students and has now grown to a 240 student class with 70 percent of those students being from diverse backgrounds.
“When the program first started, we envisioned younger students being most interested in the course,” said Chavez. “But our participants have been very diverse—our oldest student has been 94 years old and has been one of our most enthusiastic students!”
At the end of each session, participants of the program get to have a graduation-like ceremony where they can invite their friends and family to celebrate their accomplishment with them as they receive their certificate.
The opportunity that students of the Economic Development Program get goes way beyond learning about the elements of a business plan and how to build one. “Many of the students that participate in the program are community members who have not had the opportunity to get a college education,” says Chavez. “And this program gives them a taste of what it feels like to be a university student.”
If you or anyone you know is interested in participating in the Economic Development Program, contact Poncho Chavez at ichavez@arizona.edu.