J'COB (formerly Junior Executives Pre-Business Program) College Experience Summer Program is an ambitious and transformative experiential learning program offered by Ohio University's College of Business. It is a competitive week-long residential experience designed to empower rising high school seniors to become global business leaders. Participants are introduced to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), equipped with creative problem-solving skills, and culminate in a hackathon where they develop innovative business solutions to address real-world challenges aligned with the SDGs.
For more information, email Nicole Antoinette Smith , Program Director.
Dates:June 21 - 28, 2025 (Summer 2025)
Location:Multicultural Center (Baker Center) Athens, Ohio
Transportation:The GoBus is available for students coming from the Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus areas
Housing information:Students stay in resident halls on campus beginning Saturday, June 21, 2025 (check-in) until Saturday, June 28, 2025 (check-out)
Cost:Transportation to/from Athens, OH
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Program Outcomes
- Explore degree programs and career possibilities across the business industry
- Gain insight into the social and academic life of college students at OHIO University
- Build community with other students in the program
- Introduce participants to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Gain a deep understanding of the SDGs and potential applications in business
- Develop creative problem-solving skills, critical problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills
- Learn the basics of business model development and pitching
- Create innovative solutions to real-world challenges, fostering a sense of agency and social responsibility
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Application Requirements
- Rising high school seniors (i.e., current high school juniors)
- Complete online application
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
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Application Process
- Application Opens: February 3, 2025
- Application Closes: February 28, 2025
- Applications Reviewed: March 1 - 31, 2025
- Virtual Interviews Conducted: April 1 - 10, 2025
- Participants Notified: April 15, 2025
Schedule
| Day | Date | Agenda |
|---|---|---|
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Saturday
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06/21/25 | Morning: Travel to Ohio University Afternoon: Check-in (residence hall) Evening: Taste of Athens Food Tour (Uptown) |
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Sunday
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06/22/25 | Brunch: Bike-n-Brunch (Bike Path) Evening: Themed Dinner & Program Launch |
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Monday
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06/23/25 | Morning: Introduction to Creative Problem Solving (CPS) & Business Leadership Afternoon: Interactive Workshop Evening: Themed Dinner & Team Building |
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Tuesday
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06/24/25 | Morning: Overview of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Afternoon: Interactive Workshop Evening: Themed Dinner & Team Building |
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Wednesday
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06/25/25 | Morning: Teams identify specific SDG challenges Afternoon: Interactive Workshop Evening: Themed Dinner & Team Building |
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Thursday
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06/26/25 | Morning: Hackathon Kick-Off Afternoon: Interactive Workshop Evening: Themed Dinner & Team Building |
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Friday
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06/27/25 | Morning: Teams finalize their prototypes and pitches Afternoon: Hackathon judging by a panel Evening: Award ceremony and closing remarks, celebrating the participants' achievements |
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Saturday
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06/28/25 | Morning: Check-out (residence hall) Afternoon: Travel home |
Core Principles
The J'COB (formerly Junior Executives Pre-Business Program) College Experience Summer Program demonstrates core principles of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) standards, which are:
Strategic Management and Innovation
The program emphasizes introducing students to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encouraging students to think about business solutions with a global and social impact, and aligning with AACSB's emphasis on responsible leadership and strategic management.
Ethical Leadership
The program focuses on building an inclusive community by targeting underrepresented communities and fostering social responsibility through addressing real-world challenges. This aligns with AACSB's focus on ethical leadership and societal impact.
Teaching and Learning Effectiveness
The program's hackathon activity encourages creative problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills, aligning with AACSB's emphasis on innovative and effective teaching methods.
Student Learning
The program provides exposure to different business fields, career possibilities, and college life, promoting student learning and career exploration, which aligns with AACSB's standards.
Engagement
The program fosters engagement by offering a residential experience, building community, and providing opportunities for interaction with faculty and peers, aligning with AACSB's emphasis on student engagement and professional development.