Haile's Kickoff to The Econ Games 2025
Experiential Learning
Studies show that experiential learning bridges the critical gap between education and employment. At Haile College of Business, Northern Kentucky University, we see this in action through our partnership with
2025 and data sponsor 3CDC. We can add another recent collaboration with the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission.
The Numbers
According to NACE
90% of employers indicated they are seeking evidence of a student’s ability to solve problems
80% are seeking candidates who have strong teamwork skills
The Impact of Industry Partnerships
Our recent collaboration with Jennifer Inman at the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission (KFEC) exemplifies effective experiential learning:
Real Projects, Real Impact: The NKU Econ Games team is developing an impact communication plan using KFEC's internal data. This will give students hands-on experience with actual organizational challenges.
Professional Mentorship: Jennifer Inman and KFEC professionals guide students through real-world problem-solving, providing invaluable industry perspective.
Portfolio Building: Students create tangible work products demonstrating their capabilities to future employers. As every nonprofit needs to communicate its impact, this experience has broad application.
What This Means for You
For Students:
Join education programs like The Econ Games
Work with organizational data
Build relationships with industry partners
Develop practical communication and analytical skills
For Employers: Employers can create impactful experiential learning opportunities:
Data partnership opportunities like 3CDC
Project sponsorship similar to KFEC's impact initiative
Mentorship and professional guidance programs
Industry-specific challenges for student teams
Looking Forward
The future of higher education will be defined by deeper integration between academia and industry. Projects where students work with real organizational data will become the norm rather than the exception. Universities must prioritize measurable impact and clear communication of outcomes – skills our Econ Games team is developing firsthand. We're already seeing this shift through increased public-private partnerships, which provide students with authentic learning experiences. These partnerships represent a fundamental transformation in preparing students for their careers, moving beyond traditional classroom instruction to immersive, real-world problem-solving.
The Takeaway
The NKU Econ Games partnership with 3CDC and KFEC demonstrates how industry collaboration creates valuable learning opportunities. Whether analyzing data or developing communication strategies, these experiences prepare students for workplace success and help young professionals advance their careers.
Partner With Us
Please don't hesitate to reach out so we can connect and learn more about your needs.
