BC3 and CCBC Come Together To Offer New Entrepreneurship Program to Ellwood City Area High Schools

On Thursday, May 17, officials from Butler County Community College, Community College of Beaver County, Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln and Riverside high schools had an announcing ceremony to kick off the RIV-ELL Entrepreneurship Program.

The RIV-ELL Entrepreneurship Program is an enterprising partnership program between businesses, schools, colleges, service clubs and foundations in Ellwood City. Ten Lincoln and Riverside high school seniors this fall will be the first to capitalize on the new program.

The students who participate will have instructors and mentors to guide the transformation of the students’ ideas into feasible business plans.

The program is the first of its kind in the area and is being held at high regard. “The program is a great representation of what can happen when a great team is assembled with a goal of developing solutions that work in their hometown,” Executive Director of the Butler County Community College Education Foundation Inc., Ruth Purcell said.

BC3 and CCBC, in concert with the Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce and Ellwood City area businesses, have created the yearlong RIV-Ell Entrepreneurship Program, which will blend classroom learning with real-world experience.

Executive Director of the Ellwood city Area Chamber of Commerce, Raymond Santillo, feels the community is coming together to bring something new and exciting to the student of Lincoln and Riverside high schools.

“People are cooperating to benefit the Ellwood City Area. Public schools are crossing county lines, community colleges are crossing county lines and it’s all very impressive,” Santillo said. “This entrepreneurship program blends classroom learning with the real world approach, it’s nontraditional.”

BC3 and CCBC faculty will instruct high school seniors in financial literacy, psychology, entrepreneurship, marketing, public speaking and business plan development Monday through Thursday afternoons during the school year in the banquet room of Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ, 324 Wampum Ave.

On Friday afternoons students will have the chance to network with, and gain insight from, successful Ellwood City area business leaders

Riverside High School student Mataya Costello, is enrolled in the RIV-ELL Entrepreneurship program for this coming fall, and couldn’t be more excited.

“When I was a little girl I always wanted to be a scientist, I looked at scientists like little girls and boys look at superheroes. Throughout my school I did everything I could to prepare myself for the science field,” Costello said.

“I had an epiphany this last year which really made me think about weather I wanted to be a scientist or not and realized I really didn’t. Trying to figure out what I could do, I knew I had a real passion for baking, and I thought to myself wouldn’t it be so amazing to have a job doing what I love?  I spoke to my guidance counselors and they told me About the RIV-ELL Entrepreneurship program. The program has already opened so many doors for me and is caking on the responsibility for my future.”

The program is designed to bring an alternative learning platform to students who will be challenged to perform academically at the collegiate level while earning college credit. In the past colleges and universities viewed other colleges and universities as their competitors.

“The future of education requires us to come together and work together,” President of Community College of Beaver County, Dr. Chris Reber said.” In our changing country there is enough need for education in our society, for every college or university to succeed if we work together.”

Students who successfully complete all 16 credits will earn a BC3 Workplace Certificate in Entrepreneurship, a relevant credential while still in high school. The students will be prepared to launch or enhance a successful business venture or continue on an academic path to earn an associate in applied science degree in business.