UF Young Entrepreneurs for Leadership and Sustainability

10/14/2016

YELS is taking a hiatus for 2017 (as we focus on growing UF's Social Impact & Sustainability Initiative for undergraduate & graduate students http://warrington.ufl.edu/centers/cei/engagement/socialimpact/), YELS will be back better than ever in Summer 2018.

Click here (http://eepurl.com/bptYX) to be added to our email list and stay in the loop, we promise not to overwhelm your inbox, we'll just send updates every few months and will alert you when the 2018 applications become available (students who are graduating high school in 2019, 2020, and 2021 will be eligible to apply). :)

YELS: In four weeks, students become changemakers (just not in Summer 2017) ;)

Social Impact & Sustainability Initiative at the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center empowers students to use the skills and strategies of business leaders to create innovative and sustainable solutions to social, environmental, and economic problems, locally and around the world.

07/26/2016

Thank you, Chris & BetterMe Productions for creating our YELS outreach & promotion videos, we can't wait to see the final product! :)

"I learned that I am a lot stronger than I thought I was."

Capturing extraordinary perspective from UF Young Entrepreneurs for Leadership and Sustainability, a phenomenal group of high school students from around the US who are in Gainesville for the summer to learn to be change-makers.

07/26/2016

What an honor, YELS is featured on BetterMe TV! Thanks Chris, you've been an incredible YELS service partner & mentor in years past -- and now you've gone and done this for us! We're filled with gratitude beyond words! :)

07/16/2016

“4,226+ community service hours. 2 college courses. 56 high school students. Congrats on completing !”

07/15/2016

Thursday was our last full day here at YELS. After Daily Practice featuring Mindful Movement with Rebekah, we heard our last Speakers Series guest, Professor Michael Morris, talking about the Entrepreneurial Mindset. Dr. Pryor’s Exploring Entrepreneurship course wrapped up with presentations of the Business Model Canvas. Later in the afternoon, Dr. Joos held our last College & Career Success Workshop focusing on what matters most when applying to colleges (and choosing careers). Our YELS students also graduated into Alumni Ambassadors following a talk from staffer Brooke Kaplan(YELS 2014) and volunteer Miller Hoskins(2015). Just before the dress rehearsal for our Awards Lunch Celebration tomorrow (we’re expecting 226 in attendance), we talked about becoming changemakers and all of the things that each of us could do to change the world. Here Connor shows off how he plans to make a difference in the world while Sammy Felman, Abby, and Amanda prepare decorations for the tables at tomorrow’s lunch.

07/14/2016

Today was the last day of class in Social Problems & Solutions. We came full circle by ending much as we’d begun, talking about the plethora of problems in the world, framing them as opportunities for changemakers. Later that night, we had a Student-Staff Celebration where each student and staffer were given their own Paper-Plate Award that providing many laughs. Many hugs and even a few tears were shared, realizing that our 4 weeks together will soon come to an end.

07/13/2016

On Tuesday night, we had our final Mentor Meetings! Many groups ended their time together over dinner. At the end of the night, many hugs and even a few tears were shared, after realizing that our 4 weeks together will soon come to an end. We would like to thank all of our amazing Mentors for investing their time in the lives of our students every Tuesday night for the past four weeks. Over the years we’ve heard from many of our YELS Alumni who’ve kept in good touch with their Mentors -- what’s that saying? “It’s more about ‘who you know’ than ‘what you know.’”

07/13/2016

Monday was the first day of our last week together at YELS. In our Social Problems & Solutions class students presented their Final Projects and had some outstanding innovative & sustainable ideas to solve some of the world’s biggest problems (be on the lookout for a solar powered bug zapper to be used to help eradicate malaria in developing countries). Monday afternoon was our last day of community service -- goodbyes are never easy! In the evening, we had the pleasure of hearing from Miguel Asse (UF 2012) who now works as a Social Responsibility Analyst for Google!

07/10/2016

Today we paddled down the Santa Fe River guided by Mark of ACT! We learned about the importance of sustainability and water management for the fresh water springs in Florida while enjoying a day of fun in the sun. We picked up trash along the way to help keep our local waterways clean. We swam in the springs, had a picnic lunch and canoed over 6 miles! Tonight we headed out to Alachua Conservation Trust Prairie Creek Preserve for a bonfire, marshmallow roasting, and yummy smores! We sang songs around the campfire and gazed at the amazingly bright stars before returning to Beaty. It’s hard to believe that in just 5.5 days our time together will come to an end.

07/09/2016

Today was fabulous YELS Friday! The morning started with 28 of our students presenting their Profile of a Social Entrepreneur in their Social Problems & Solutions class. After class, the service teams were able to treat their service leaders out to a Pizza lunch at Satchel's Pizza--a Gainesville favorite! They ended the day watching the documentary film “I AM” which reminds us that “I am” the problem but together, we can all be the solution to bring about a better world.

07/09/2016

Such an honor that July 7th is officially YELS Day in Gainesville! Students began their day with Mindful Movement with Rebekah and presentations of their customer segments and value propositions of their business ideas in Dr. Pryor’s class. After service, many students visited City Hall to watch the Mayor of Gainesville, Lauren Poe, officially declare July 7th as YELS day! It was a cool experience for everyone involved. The students then heard from one of our Speakers Series speakers, Andrew Schultz, financial advisor from Morgan Stanley, where he discussed the challenges and rewards of starting a business and the hours and hours of hard work and dedication required for success. This was a great way to end the first ever YELS Day!

07/08/2016