Enactus STU Takes Home Regional Runner-Up
Enactus STU was recently awarded the 2023 Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge Regional Runner-up at the Enactus Canada Regional Exposition in Halifax.
The STU team demonstrated the impact of their climate action project to business executives. The event brings together students with academic and industry leaders to celebrate Canada’s future leaders and entrepreneurs.
The exposition involved live rounds of presentation-based competitions where the business leaders served as judges.
Isabella Mehlitz, co-president of Enactus STU and fourth-year STUdent from Fredericton, said the team spent weeks practicing and preparing their pitch.
“Seeing our Spring Up Project receive recognition at a business-oriented event on a regional level was rewarding, especially coming from our liberal arts background,” said Mehlitz.
Spring Up started as a cleanup initiative on the city’s trail system and expanded to include a Sustainability Swap of gently used items. These eco-conscious community projects had measurable improvements in waste diversion, water conservation, and individuals and businesses educated on climate action as stronger sustainability habits were formed among university and community members.
Charles Hanscomb, project manager of Connecto and third-year STUdent from Fredericton, was one of the pitch presenters. Preparing and presenting at the competition helped refine his public speaking and writing skills.
“Honing these skills will be useful in my courses and in real-world settings,” he said.
Judging criteria was based on demonstrating effective entrepreneurial leadership to drive business and innovation for sustainable positive impact related to climate change.
Mehlitz believes that her experiences at STU helped mentor her team and prepare them for the competition.
“I applied the skills and knowledge I learned from my Communication and Public Policy courses with Enactus STU and other real-life scenarios,” she said.
Mehlitz appreciates being able to explore and expand her passions at STU.
“There are so many opportunities that cater to each student's goals and aspirations. Enactus STU helped to fill my passions for entrepreneurship, marketing, and leadership.”
Enactus STU will next travel to Montreal to participate at the Enactus Canada National Exposition on May 1-3.
The trip was funded by the Office of Experiential Learning and the Alumni Office.
STUdents who pitched at the competition
Chloe York (third-year student from Vermont, USA)
Charles Hanscomb (third-year student from Fredericton, NB)
Enactus STU co-presidents
Isabella Mehlitz (fourth-year student from Fredericton, NB)
Ameri Suzuki (second-year student from Chiba, Japan)
About Enactus STU
Enactus STU is a group of STUdents from all disciplines striving to make a difference in the community through an entrepreneurial lens. Enactus STU Projects, Connecto, and Incubatorly host events surrounding financial literacy skills and supporting local entrepreneurs.