RISE29: an update

Fall 2020 was the fourth semester of work for the RISE29 program at ECU. This initiative, funded by the Golden LEAF Foundation, is based on a strategic partnership between the Miller School, Division of Research, Economic Development and Engagement (REDE), and four partner counties in eastern NC (Beaufort, Hyde, Martin & Pitt). By creating a system of interwoven programs, RISE29 is working to unite ECU students, local communities, and small businesses in a way that encourages economic growth while also connecting entrepreneurs with resources needed for future success.

One of the key elements of RISE29 is the student internship program, which consists of student-led consulting teams who work with small businesses to address systemic challenges, growth opportunities, or owner capacity issues as a means to encourage job growth in eastern North Carolina. These student teams focus on developing sound business processes tailored to their individual clients, as well as the implementation of recommendations aimed at improving the overall operations of the business. During this process, RISE29 interns are also exposed to the unique factors that accompany entrepreneurial opportunities in rural communities with the hope that, upon graduation, some of them will choose to live and work in eastern North Carolina. Since spring 2019, 74 student interns have worked with 25 regional clients in RISE29, accounting for over 22,000 hours of fieldwork.

In addition, RISE29 has also implemented the E-Passport program this fall semester, an extracurricular student enrichment program designed to encourage the expansion of an entrepreneurship ecosystem beyond ECU’s campus. Designed as an incentivized program, the E-Passport program is an avenue for students to expand their network, identify potential mentors, and grow their knowledge of entrepreneurship via co-curricular activities. As with the student consulting internship program, the E-Passport program seeks to expose students to the broader entrepreneurial resources that exist in our region as a means of showcasing and recruiting students to establish their businesses here after graduation.

During this past summer, Derrick Welch joined the RISE29 team in the role of the program manager. He has vast experience in economic development efforts in North Carolina and New Mexico. Feel free to reach out to Derrick if you have interest in learning more about RISE29.  https://rise29.ecu.edu

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