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Saint Francis University students have won a statewide competition in promoting Pennsylvania businesses.
Students Hunter Longenecker of East Freedom, Yanessa Shabbick of Heilwood, Indiana County, and Urska Medvesek of Maribor, Slovenia, won the America250PA Direct Effect Innovation Challenge with a comprehensive integrated marketing campaign to promote businesses in the state.
Under the direction of Assistant Professor of Marketing Tricia McFadden, the three Shields School of Business students competed Nov. 18 against 10 universities and colleges across the commonwealth, unveiling their plan, called "Small Businesses Build Big Dreams" #BuyPA.
Shabbick called the win a "huge accomplishment."
"We worked really hard on this project, so to see it flourish the way it did was a dream come true," she said.
The students' prizes were stipends and an internship with the America250PA Commission, according to the university's release.
Longenecker explained that the experience helped him confirm that marketing is his career path of choice. He added that the challenge allows them to display new achievements and skills on their resumes and future job interviews.
McFadden said the success was an "'aha' moment" for the students -- one that brings together academic and professional worlds.
"Students gained professional development, real-world experience and steps toward their careers through the awarded internships," she said.
"I was really grateful to even be able to participate, and the win made this experience even better," Medvesek said.
The Direct Effect Innovation Challenge is an annual statewide collaborative project that allows students from across Pennsylvania to compete and design solutions to issued challenges.
Mirror Staff Writer Dom Cuzzolina is at 814-946-7428.