Real Businesses, Real World Skills

How often does a class project earn an A-plus from students, instructors and community partners? A unique collaboration between Northwestern Polytechnic’s Department of Business and Office Administration and the Grande Prairie Downtown Association (DTA) has resulted in innovative student learning, tangible results for business partners, and instructors making connections that contribute to success for all.

Community Connected

NWP has long emphasized the value of connecting students with the greater community. NWP’s Master Academic Plan makes community-connected education a priority, and lays out the goal of collaborating with “organizations and employers to create meaningful work-integrated learning opportunities.” Bringing that to life requires dedicated, creative instructors, and partners eager to give back to the next generation.

The spark for this particular collaboration was ignited by business instructors Mandy Ingraham and Mark Evans. They knew that their students were more engaged when presented with real-world business problems. So Mark and Mandy connected with the DTA to put that student potential to work.

“I knew we could create something that would evolve into a valuable experience for everyone: the students, the membership of the Downtown Association, NWP and the DTA,” says Hywel Williams, executive director of the Downtown Association.

Win-Win

From the beginning, it was clear that a partnership offered advantages all around.

“I knew that the Downtown Association could benefit from the energy and enthusiasm of students,” says Hywel, previously the executive director of NWP’s Student Association. “I also knew post-secondary students could benefit from guided exposure to practical application of class material.”

“We need to give credit to the Downtown Association,” says Mandy. “They’re doing so much for our students… It was clear that this really could be a win-win.”

Over the past year, the two instructors worked with Hywel to confirm their common goals and link their course assignments to the real-world needs of community partners. The Downtown Association itself was the first client, as Mandy’s Introduction to Strategic Entrepreneurial Management students tackled the question of how the organization could better serve its members. They came up with an array of innovative ideas including a useful grant opportunity.

The following semester, Mark got his Advertising and Sales Promotion class involved. The DTA ran a contest to select a member interested in engaging with students and awarded a budget to put the resulting ideas into action.

“We wanted to find someone who wanted to share their knowledge and expertise as a business owner,” says Mark, noting that they greatly appreciate the time and effort the business committed. The class took the assignment seriously, dug into costs and timelines, and presented original ideas to the owner. The result? “The student work translated into something the business actually used,” Mark says proudly.

Hywel sees the collaboration as beneficial for all. “I believe that having students exposed to and learning about the everyday reality of a small business is vital to a fuller understanding of the business world,” he reflects, adding that the DTA also benefits. “We receive fresh perspective from a demographic that’s key to ongoing business success.”

Lessons Learned

“You need to take into consideration the needs of the client and what they want.”

That’s one of many lessons learned by business student Kyla Costa after participating in the project. When Kyla heard her class would be working with a real business, she was a little intimidated but was soon won over by thorough class preparation and the unique opportunity.

“Getting that hands-on experience really helps engrain the theory and prepares you for the real world and careers that come afterwards,” Kyla notes. “It was really valuable for me.”

Groups had to consider challenges specific to their real client, like budgeting, a firm stance against using AI, and aligning with the company’s existing brand.

“Students take it more seriously when it’s an actual business,” says Mandy. “When you can tie classroom theory to something tangible, it really resonates for students.”

Programs that Connect

Stronger student engagement also translates to more meaningful classroom experiences. Both instructors noted increased engagement from students as theories became real.

“If I’m a student in Grande Prairie, how do I take what I’m learning and use it here?” says Mark. “Having students graduate with skills they can apply locally, with an understanding of our local business community -- that benefits the entire community.”

Opening Doors

Work-integrated learning is the intersection of experiential learning, meaningful community service, and enhanced employability. NWP is proud to support our instructors to build authentic experiences that benefit students, programs, and supportive partners like the Downtown Association and its members.

“When we can open these doors and channels,” Mark sums up, “the better it is for students and the community as a whole.”