Education Partnerships
Centre for Social Enterprise (CSE) – Graduate Student Internships
The incredible synergy and future potential for the CSE and Faculty of Business Administration’s visionary Master of Business Administration in Social Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (MBA-SEE) is particularly exciting. While developing students as “community leaders and agents of social change”, there is also the potential for significant benefit to the not-for-profits and social enterprises in which these students will serve. Since the inaugural year of this program, FFF has funded ten placements. CSE supported six internships through the MBA-SEE program, reaching organizations with provincial mandates as well as others located in communities such as Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Norris Point and Placentia. In addition, four multi-disciplinary internship placements coordinated by CSE have allowed students from different disciplines to come together in their work for a Church in St. John's, fostering a collaborative approach that has provided tremendous capacity to a long-standing community fixture. These Internships are highlighted below.
Pye Centre for Northern Boreal Food Systems
A hub for community-led and Northern-focused food systems research, education, community connections, production, and distribution in Labrador, the Pye Centre has been established as a result of Memorial's 2019 acquisition of the 80-acre Pye Farm in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Under the leadership of the Labrador Institute, this facility (formerly owned and operated by Frank and Joyce Pye) is now a key component of Memorial's work to promote agricultural growth in the province through leading-edge research and educational opportunities. Working closely with Dr. Ashlee Cunsulo of the Labrador Institute, Caroline MacDonald worked extensively during a 2021 MBA-SEE Internship Placement with key partners in Labrador, researching and learning from other farms and social enterprises in the province and nationally in her work to create a made-in-Labrador food-focused social enterprise plan.
A hub for community-led and Northern-focused food systems research, education, community connections, production, and distribution in Labrador, the Pye Centre has been established as a result of Memorial's 2019 acquisition of the 80-acre Pye Farm in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Under the leadership of the Labrador Institute, this facility (formerly owned and operated by Frank and Joyce Pye) is now a key component of Memorial's work to promote agricultural growth in the province through leading-edge research and educational opportunities. Working closely with Dr. Ashlee Cunsulo of the Labrador Institute, Caroline MacDonald worked extensively during a 2021 MBA-SEE Internship Placement with key partners in Labrador, researching and learning from other farms and social enterprises in the province and nationally in her work to create a made-in-Labrador food-focused social enterprise plan.
World YMCA
A member of the board of the World YMCA, ClearRisk Inc. founder and CEO Craig Rowe initially established this MBA-SEE Internship Placement for Jamal Ali in 2021. His goal was to research and assess the feasibility of utilizing social enterprise/procurement strategies as a means to potentially develop new revenue streams for the World YMCA in response to the disruptions caused by Covid-19. Several extremely positive outcomes have been achieved, including the identification of at least three potential revenue sources for World YMCA. This includes an online store to sell crafts from local charities all around the world, along with sustainable office products and potentially carbon offset credits. Jamal has led the creation of a business plan for this work, which is now being validated and World YMCA is looking for partners to help create this platform. If successful this could mean significant revenues to World YMCA for many years to come.
A member of the board of the World YMCA, ClearRisk Inc. founder and CEO Craig Rowe initially established this MBA-SEE Internship Placement for Jamal Ali in 2021. His goal was to research and assess the feasibility of utilizing social enterprise/procurement strategies as a means to potentially develop new revenue streams for the World YMCA in response to the disruptions caused by Covid-19. Several extremely positive outcomes have been achieved, including the identification of at least three potential revenue sources for World YMCA. This includes an online store to sell crafts from local charities all around the world, along with sustainable office products and potentially carbon offset credits. Jamal has led the creation of a business plan for this work, which is now being validated and World YMCA is looking for partners to help create this platform. If successful this could mean significant revenues to World YMCA for many years to come.
Sport For Life
Located in Victoria, B.C., Sport for Life is a not for profit organization that brings together sport and physical literacy experts with the long-term vision necessary to be catalysts for lasting change within the sport and physical activity ecosystem and beyond. Phil Rendell worked remotely from St. John's during his 2021 MBA-SEE Internship Placement. He was able to use the knowledge and experience around movement and physical literacy gained from his background and undergraduate degree in Recreation, along with expertise gained during the MBA-SEE program, to take a holistic approach. Phil is excited to be leading this work on behalf of a national organization that is committed to improving the quality of sport and physical activity in Canada. Sport for Life links sport, education, recreation and health and aligns community, provincial and national programming.
Located in Victoria, B.C., Sport for Life is a not for profit organization that brings together sport and physical literacy experts with the long-term vision necessary to be catalysts for lasting change within the sport and physical activity ecosystem and beyond. Phil Rendell worked remotely from St. John's during his 2021 MBA-SEE Internship Placement. He was able to use the knowledge and experience around movement and physical literacy gained from his background and undergraduate degree in Recreation, along with expertise gained during the MBA-SEE program, to take a holistic approach. Phil is excited to be leading this work on behalf of a national organization that is committed to improving the quality of sport and physical activity in Canada. Sport for Life links sport, education, recreation and health and aligns community, provincial and national programming.
George St. United Church (GSUC)
Like many churches, GSUC has an ageing and declining congregation. The GSUC advisory council identified several potential social enterprise opportunities to help generate additional revenue and to stay connected to the wider community. They hired two graduate students in the fall 2019 semester: MBA student Tarek Grisha and PhD student Modeline Lohnjohn. The students developed market surveys and implemented them in the area surrounding the church. Based on the survey results, they provided recommendations to the GSUC on how to proceed with their business ideas. In the 2020 winter semester, the students developed a feasibility study and recommendations on one of the business ideas, submitted a final report, and made a presentation to the Board of Directors for consideration. This Multi-disciplinary Internship Placement provided a real-world experiential learning opportunity for students, strengthening connections with Memorial and the community, as well as stimulating new ideas for revenue generation at the GSUC. Learn more about Modeline's Graduate Student Internship experiences.
Like many churches, GSUC has an ageing and declining congregation. The GSUC advisory council identified several potential social enterprise opportunities to help generate additional revenue and to stay connected to the wider community. They hired two graduate students in the fall 2019 semester: MBA student Tarek Grisha and PhD student Modeline Lohnjohn. The students developed market surveys and implemented them in the area surrounding the church. Based on the survey results, they provided recommendations to the GSUC on how to proceed with their business ideas. In the 2020 winter semester, the students developed a feasibility study and recommendations on one of the business ideas, submitted a final report, and made a presentation to the Board of Directors for consideration. This Multi-disciplinary Internship Placement provided a real-world experiential learning opportunity for students, strengthening connections with Memorial and the community, as well as stimulating new ideas for revenue generation at the GSUC. Learn more about Modeline's Graduate Student Internship experiences.
Placentia West Heritage Committee
A retired teacher and longstanding member of the Heritage Committee, Elizabeth Murphy has always been a volunteer and community organizer in the region of Placentia West. She was motivated to return to university and complete her master's because she saw tremendous value in bringing this learning back to the organization. Elizabeth's MBA-SEE Internship Placement in 2020 was an opportunity to bring a new perspective. Livyers’ Lot Economusee, the Peddle House museum and the Tea Rose restaurant are key components of the efforts to support tourism growth and economic development, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy local cuisine, meet artisans, learn about their products, and make purchases, all at the same site. Elizabeth's work focused on refining current practices and creating new development opportunities with the Heritage Committee, expanding capacity and outreach as well as transferring her learning to other volunteers in the organization.
A retired teacher and longstanding member of the Heritage Committee, Elizabeth Murphy has always been a volunteer and community organizer in the region of Placentia West. She was motivated to return to university and complete her master's because she saw tremendous value in bringing this learning back to the organization. Elizabeth's MBA-SEE Internship Placement in 2020 was an opportunity to bring a new perspective. Livyers’ Lot Economusee, the Peddle House museum and the Tea Rose restaurant are key components of the efforts to support tourism growth and economic development, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy local cuisine, meet artisans, learn about their products, and make purchases, all at the same site. Elizabeth's work focused on refining current practices and creating new development opportunities with the Heritage Committee, expanding capacity and outreach as well as transferring her learning to other volunteers in the organization.
Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation
Chelsea Smith's MBA-SEE Internship placement at the Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation (BBCHHC) in 2020 came from a desire to start her own, similar enterprise after graduation. A not-for-profit social enterprise and community centre run by volunteers in Norris Point, NL, the BBCHHC operates out of the renovated Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital. The corporation is built on a history of volunteerism, with the hospital itself constructed and operated by volunteers and various community supports for more than 60 years. The mission is to preserve local culture and heritage, promote community health and wellness, and foster community economic and social development. Chelsea saw her own values and aspirations reflected in the work of the BBCHHC where she actively contributed to the daily work and strategic outreach. Chelsea continues to work toward her ultimate goal of establishing an organization that may serve related, complementary functions of hostel, café and community centre in her own community.
Chelsea Smith's MBA-SEE Internship placement at the Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation (BBCHHC) in 2020 came from a desire to start her own, similar enterprise after graduation. A not-for-profit social enterprise and community centre run by volunteers in Norris Point, NL, the BBCHHC operates out of the renovated Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital. The corporation is built on a history of volunteerism, with the hospital itself constructed and operated by volunteers and various community supports for more than 60 years. The mission is to preserve local culture and heritage, promote community health and wellness, and foster community economic and social development. Chelsea saw her own values and aspirations reflected in the work of the BBCHHC where she actively contributed to the daily work and strategic outreach. Chelsea continues to work toward her ultimate goal of establishing an organization that may serve related, complementary functions of hostel, café and community centre in her own community.
Food Producers Forum (FPF)
A brand new not-for-profit with a province-wide mandate, the Food Producers Forum was a busy MBA-SEE Internship Placement for Courtney Rowsell in 2020.The FPF's aim is to support local and community based food production in NL through a free public information hub promoting information and services to help food producers at all levels. The ultimate goal is moving toward food security by producing more of what we eat and use right here at home. With previous experience in the undergraduate business co-op program and as a member of Enactus Memorial, Courtney viewed the MBA-SEE program as a natural progression of her passion to make a difference through business. This internship was a valuable opportunity to expand on her experiential learning. The FPF gave Courtney a chance to help develop potential revenue models to establish self-sufficiency within the organization, as well as work on community outreach and assessment tools for pilot communities to be involved with the FPF. Read more about Courtney Rowsell.
A brand new not-for-profit with a province-wide mandate, the Food Producers Forum was a busy MBA-SEE Internship Placement for Courtney Rowsell in 2020.The FPF's aim is to support local and community based food production in NL through a free public information hub promoting information and services to help food producers at all levels. The ultimate goal is moving toward food security by producing more of what we eat and use right here at home. With previous experience in the undergraduate business co-op program and as a member of Enactus Memorial, Courtney viewed the MBA-SEE program as a natural progression of her passion to make a difference through business. This internship was a valuable opportunity to expand on her experiential learning. The FPF gave Courtney a chance to help develop potential revenue models to establish self-sufficiency within the organization, as well as work on community outreach and assessment tools for pilot communities to be involved with the FPF. Read more about Courtney Rowsell.