NW Valley Times

Grand Canyon University's Colangelo College of Business has launched an initiative named Entrepreneurship 3000, which seeks to inspire 3,000 high school students to become entrepreneurs by December 2025. This project is spearheaded by GCU students Jonathan McKee, Micah Alexander, and Logan Middleton under the guidance of Robert Vera, a professor and the founding director of Canyon Ventures.

The program aims to encourage high school students like those from North Valley Christian Academy to explore entrepreneurship. "I was in STEM in high school, and I had a lot of ideas... but there was no one to help turn it into something real," said Middleton. He expressed his desire to help younger students start their entrepreneurial journeys earlier.

GCU has already partnered with North Valley Christian Academy and is considering collaborations with other schools. The school's principal, Jason Mitchell, noted the positive impact on students who are applying classroom skills to real-life situations through this program.

Chris Schoenleb, Head of School at North Valley Christian Academy, hired McKee, Alexander, and Middleton as consultants after being impressed by their pitch. They have been actively involved in guiding business classes where students create their own businesses.

Connor Vicary's efforts as a former IDEA Club president led to his role as a graduate student assistant supported by entrepreneur Anthony Sarandrea. Vicary focuses on expanding the number of entrepreneurial students at GCU.

"Our goal is to reach 3,000 entrepreneurship students," said CCOB Dean John Kaites. "We’re close to 1,000 now... we believe we can achieve that goal."

Savannah Burgara represents one such aspiring entrepreneur; she plans to enroll full-time at GCU next fall while pursuing her passion for baking and other ventures.

Jonathan McKee related his experience: “As a high school student... if I had something we’re providing for the high schools... it’s really to give back and make a difference in their futures.”

Professor Robert Vera emphasized that GCU's real asset lies in its entrepreneurial ecosystem fostered by dedicated students like McKee, Alexander, Middleton, and Vicary.