WSU Tech and the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce celebrated the successful launch of a collaborative partnership between Wichita small business owners and WSU Tech digital marketing students. In 2020, amidst the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wichita Chamber conducted roundtable discussions with small businesses from various industries to identify challenges for economic recovery. A common theme broke through, businesses were feeling challenged with having knowledge and time to invest in digital marketing to reach new customers and to shift to conducting commerce online.
“This idea all started after I attended a COVID Task Force meeting with the Wichita Chamber and heard the marketing needs from our local businesses,” said Dr. Sheree Utash, President of WSU Tech. “I immediately thought of our talented digital marketing students and how they could gain some real-life experience while supporting our community.”
This prompted WSU Tech and the Wichita Chamber to launch a new partnership to provide applied learning opportunities for digital marketing students through connecting them with Wichita small business owners to assist them with their digital marketing needs and help them pivot to an online space. After a survey and selection process by both WSU Tech and the Wichita Chamber, two businesses were matched with two students to beta test the partnership.
“I came into this project with a little apprehension,” said Erynn Dixon, a second-year digital marketing student at WSU Tech. “I was met with an openness to ideas and suggestions that made it an enjoyable experience.”
Erynn was partnered with Hopping Gnome Brewing Company, a local microbrewery and taproom located in the Douglas Design District in Wichita, Kansas.
“Working with Erynn was great”, said Stacy Ward Lattin, Co-Owner of Hopping Gnome Brewing Company. “She helped us with SEO and other website functions that we’ve been putting off. WSU Tech students are professional and easy to work with, and we would love to partner with this department again in the future.”
Nathan Gilbert, also a second-year digital marketing student, was partnered with Wichita’s 2nd oldest business and family florist, Tillie’s Flower Shop. The two students assisted with projects ranging from search optimization to the creation and implementation of an online chatbot. Upon completion of the projects, the students received compensation from the businesses of no more than $500 per student, per project.
“The Chamber is so pleased to partner with WSU Tech’s digital marketing program to identify real-world experiences for students while simultaneously filling a huge need for our small business members,” said Angie Elliot, Vice President, Member Engagement & Small Business for the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The pandemic has heightened the importance of businesses utilizing digital tools to identify, attract and serve customers. We look forward to continuing to explore ways to fill this need with project-based initiatives.”
“This is a win-win situation for all involved and a great example of how we are integrating the world of work through applied learning opportunities for our students and being helpful to our local businesses” said Utash.
Plans for a second-round are already underway. Businesses interested in participating should contact Angie Elliot with the Wichita Chamber at aelliot@wichitachamber.org or visit www.wichitachamber.org. Individuals interested in learning more about the digital marketing program should visit www.wsutech.edu/digitalmarketing.
