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For the competition, in its third year, students submitted proposals for programs meant to make a difference in the areas of education, entrepreneurship and/or the environment. While intended to impact local communities, the proposals could also be broad enough to encompass national or global issues and had to include an implementation approach, budget and timeline.
Ernst & Young fielded entries from teams at more than 40 colleges and universities nationwide.
“We congratulate these winning teams on developing innovative ways to make a difference in their communities, and are pleased to help them bring their plans to fruition,” said Dan Black, director of campus recruiting, in a statement. “Giving back to local communities is engrained in our culture at Ernst & Young LLP and we are thrilled that so many college students have embraced this mission through our Your World, Your Vision competition.”
An Ernst & Young advisor worked with each team to offer advice throughout the process. Winners were then selected by firm leaders who evaluate based on impact to the community, creativity and presentation.
The winning proposals are:
• University of Georgia team: Increasing university involvement with the Garnett Ridge Boys and Girls Club, which serves a local, predominantly Hispanic low-income community, through a community-wide recycling plan, expanding learning opportunities, cleaning neighborhood gang-related graffiti and creating a soccer league. Team members: Katie Brown, Steve Cho, James Collins, Patrick Fitzmaurice, David Gorvy, Meredith Hightower, David Jett, Maxwell Mitchell, Muizz Mullani, Brittany Scrudder, Haley Snyder, and Emily Weinstein.
• University of Illinois team: Conducting cooking classes at local elementary schools to educate students on environmental sustainability, healthy eating, project planning through the creation of a cookbook and entrepreneurship through selling the book. Team members: Sarah Ashida, Erin Duber, Kate Hansell, Alana Moore, Kim Nelson, Jeanette Panfil, Nisha Saboo ,and Shannon Woods.
• Baruch College team: Eight-week educational program to empower young adults living in Covenant House, a homeless shelter for 18-21 year olds, into aspiring for higher education through seminars on goal setting, college-entrance exam preparation, college tours, completing applications and researching scholarships. Team members: Matthew Connelly, Joseph Han, Linda Haviv, Doris Hu, Kyuchang Jung, Maria Kamenetskaya, Matthew Law, Hannah Lee, Tiffany Wong, and Yeena Wu.
One of last year’s Your World Your Vision winners, the team from the University of Illinois that has been working with community leaders and members to build a community garden in a low-income neighborhood, is hosting Work Days on April 16 and 23 during which volunteers will build the gardens.
The program has garnered the support of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and First Lady Michelle Obama.
