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Dickinson County students describe hands-on CEO entrepreneurship program
Summary
Students and facilitators from Dickinson County presented the county's CEO program to the committee, describing business visits, mentoring, class businesses and community-funded support; presenters said the program costs schools nothing because it is funded by local business investors and Midland Institute support.
Brandy Gray introduced students Abigail Gaston and Kaylee Wybert and described the Dickinson County CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program, an immersive entrepreneurship course that brings juniors and seniors from several local high schools together for business visits, mentorship and hands-on projects.
Gray said the program is community-funded and that Dickinson County's CEO was modeled on the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship program. "CEO students don't just learn about business, but they actually start a business," Gray said. She told the committee Dickinson County's program is in its fifth year and is the first CEO program in Kansas.
Students explained how CEO operates: classes meet outside a traditional classroom at host sites and local businesses, students travel for 40 to 60 business visits a year, they complete a class business (the class hosted an eighties murder-mystery dinner), and each student develops an individual business and presents it at a trade show. Abigail said class business revenue is reinvested in student individual businesses; Kaylee described the program as structure that "pulls together all of the schools from all across Dickinson County."
Gray and the students described the program's mentorship model: each student is paired with a local business leader for monthly mentor meetings to review business plans and provide guidance. Gray emphasized community benefits: business visits can expand businesses' customer bases, connect students with local employers and sometimes lead students to work locally.
Funding and administration: Gray said Midland Institute provides training, technology tools (including the program website), orientation materials and board-administration resources. Locally, a board of directors composed of business leaders and school representatives supports the program. Gray said the program "doesn't cost the schools anything" because it is funded by local business investors and friends; an investor commitment is $3,000 over three years (about $1,000 per year). Friend-level supporters provide smaller contributions used for student needs such as gas cards or professional attire.
Members asked about selection and growth. Students said applicants complete a short written statement and provide references; the local board reviews blinded applications and selects students. Gray and members noted enrollment growth from seven students in the program's first year to 13 students in the current year and said they would like to expand opportunities where feasible.
Ending: Committee members praised the program and the students who presented; several members said the program filled a gap between advanced academic and CTE pathways by providing entrepreneurship and real-world business experience.
