The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce has announced the establishment of The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) program in Alexandria. YEA, an innovative program that transforms local middle and high school students into real entrepreneurial successes, is slated to launch in the fall of 2015 at the Arlington campus of George Mason University’s School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs.
YEA! takes students between the ages of 11 and 18 through the process of starting and launching a real business or social movement over the course of an academic year. By the end of the class, students own and operate fully-formed and functioning businesses, which may be carried on after their graduation from the program. YEA! aims to teach students at an early age how to make a job and is the only pre-college program developed by an entrepreneur, at a university, with support from a major entrepreneurial foundation, the Kauffman Foundation and the United States Chamber of Commerce.
“We are excited about this expansion and specifically chose George Mason University because of its reputation for academic excellence and emphasis on community involvement,” said Gayle Jagel, the CEO and Founder of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.
“We are so proud to be able to host The Young Entrepreneurs Academy at George Mason University,” said Craig Rocklin. “This program will be such a positive influence on students in our local community, and will provide an innovative, challenging, and fulfilling experience for everyone involved… George Mason University included.”
The Chamber is partnering with local business representatives interested in volunteering their time as business mentors, field trip hosts, guest lecturers, graphic designers, web developers, attorneys, and more. As a key component of the Chamber’s Workforce Development initiatives, YEA! will be instrumental in the Chamber’s efforts of contributing to an educated and skilled workforce within the City, – a critical factor for a healthy business community and ensuring Alexandria remains an attractive location to do business.
“One of the most interesting components of the YEA! program is the actual ‘behind the scenes’ knowledge that local business leaders are able to share with students,” said Chamber President & CEO, John Long. “This experience is something they will be able to apply to any field they choose to enter, and will provide them with the necessary skills to become future leaders of their industries.
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)
For more information about the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, please call 585.272.3535 or visit www.yeausa.org.
