Students from The University of New Mexico’s ASM are taking part in a Junior Achievement of New Mexico coordinated program, JA Titan, at Albuquerque area high schools this spring. The JA Titan partnership, which has been in the works for approximately a year, is an interactive high-tech, web-based business simulation model that introduces critical economics and management decisions to high school students created by the Anderson schools in support of Junior Achievement.
Coupled with the presence of MBA student volunteers from UNM in the classroom teaching the activities, students apply concepts of operating a business as they compete online in the highly competitive industry of the fictional Holo-Generator™.
The MBA student volunteers share their personal professional experiences to help the high school students understand the economics of life. Area high schools involved include Albuquerque, Eldorado, Rio Rancho, Robert F. Kennedy Charter, Valley and West Mesa.
"Junior Achievement programs, such as JA Titan, could not have the profound impact they do on young people without the support of volunteers," said Kevin R. Hattery, President, Junior Achievement of New Mexico. “The partnership with the ASM is a great example of how both organizations are collaborating to develop the future workforce of New Mexico.”
“Originally, I was going to volunteer to help in one class, but I quickly realized that The Schools’ could have a much bigger impact by involving more people,” Anderson Schools’ Assistant Professor Doug Thomas said. “I thought of my MBA class in Strategic Management and the benefits they could receive in addition to what the high school students would learn.
“The enthusiasm of my MBA students has exceeded my wildest expectations. At least one student now believes she will go into teaching in part because of this experience. The MBA students relate to the high school kids well and really see the impact the program has on the students. It’s been mentioned that this ‘service learning’ outreach program is teaching them as much if not more than the class's required texts.”
“We have really enjoyed teaching our Junior Achievement students,” said UNM student Jason Dencklau. “The best part is being able to explain a specific business concept to a group of students and then seeing their eyes light up as they understand and get excited about seeing something actually work. It’s really exciting to see the students even the teachers thought would just goof off actually get excited about learning and doing well.”
“Working with Junior Achievement allows you to personally invest into students lives, share your experiences and help acquire some skills needed for college and the business world,” said UNM student Geoffrey Bennett. “It’s a great opportunity.”
According to a study completed by the Western Institute for Research and Evaluation, results show that Junior Achievement’s high school programs have a significant impact on student learning. Students who participate in JA Titan demonstrate better problem-solving skills when making critical business decisions than their non-participating peers. For full evaluation results visit: newmexico.ja.org.
“For me as a professor, this is a great experience and opportunity to have MBA students learn as they teach because you always learn the most when you teach,” said Thomas. “The program benefits high school students at the same time in a very meaningful way. This is a real win-win and a great relationship between the Anderson Schools, Junior Achievement and the local high schools. Additionally, these types of K-12/University partnerships are very important to recruiting high schools students to college.”
For more information about the collaborative partnership between the ASM and Junior Achievement of New Mexico or the JA Titan program, contact Junior Achievement of New Mexico at: (505) 344-0861 or visit: newmexico.ja.org.