College of the Rockies students enrolled in Social Enterprise (MGMT 305) within the Bachelor of Business Administration -Sustainable Business Practices are gaining access to a robust suite of fully funded, real-world learning advantages.

Thanks to partnerships with Community Futures East Kootenay’s (CFEK) Innovate for Impact Initiative, Impact Toolbox, ETSI-BC, and the college’s Work Integrated Learning Fund, students have access to opportunities which combine social entrepreneurship, mentorship, paid work-integrated learning, a level of support rarely seen within a single business course.

As a result, MGMT 305 students are developing, refining, and pitching their own social enterprise ventures while earning both academic credit and industry-recognized micro-credentials.

As part of the course, students receive full access to the Impact Toolbox platform and graduate with two micro-credentials – How to Start a Successful Social Enterprise and Storytelling for Social Enterprises -representing an additional value of approximately $800 per student. These credentials complement the course’s academic content and guide students through the development and pitching of a real-world social enterprise.

Students also participate in Impact Labs, a series of live, facilitated discussions with established social enterprise leaders. These sessions provide mentorship in problem-solving, pitching, and venture development, providing space for students to ask real questions and receive feedback on their own enterprise ideas as they evolve.

The first two Impact Labs focused on ideation and models of social change, featuring Impact Toolbox founder Segun Faidimu and ʔaq̓am Community Enterprises Operations Manager Adminda Thomas.

Beyond the classroom, students benefit from an ongoing partnership with Community Futures East Kootenay through its Innovate for Impact initiative, where they have access to regional mentors actively working in social enterprise, social finance, and community-based innovation.

“This course gives students a rare opportunity to move beyond theory and to build something that matters,” said Stephanie Wells, Dean, Business programs. “They’re gaining experience that reflects what social entrepreneurs face in the real world, developing ideas, testing assumptions, receiving feedback, and learning how to make an impactful pitch.”

Funding has also been secured for two paid summer internships or co-op placements with social enterprises in the East Kootenay. These placements will be awarded through a competitive process open to post-secondary students, with MGMT 305 students particularly well positioned due to their hands-on experience and completed micro-credentials.

The course culminates in a pitch competition held in April, where students present fully developed social enterprise plans aligned with community benefit, impact, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The top two student pitches will each be awarded up to $4,000 to support the implementation of their ventures.

“When students are embedded in the social enterprise ecosystem, they become part of the region’s capacity-building foundation. Their curiosity, critical thinking, and willingness to test ideas in real contexts helps communities adapt and innovate. said Robyn Peel, Community Economic Development Manager with CFEK. “We’re excited to be working with the college to build a deeper well of social enterprise knowledge across the region.”

“This partnership is a powerful example of how work-integrated learning, community collaboration, and sustainability can come together in a meaningful way,” Wells added. “It highlights student success while positioning the college as a leader in social enterprise education.”

Learn more about the Bachelor of Business Administration – Sustainable Business Practices program at: cotr.bc.ca/bba

Lead image: Sustainable business programs instructor, Becky Pelkonen (second from left) and Social Enterprise students explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals as part of MGMT 305, a course strengthened by partnerships with Community Futures East Kootenay, Impact Toolbox, and ETSI‑BC. The course blends classroom learning with real‑world mentorship, micro‑credentials, and paid work‑integrated opportunities. College of the Rockies photo

College of the Rockies

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