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News Release

Real Business Growth. Real Student Experience. Real Community Impact. (Photo) - 09/14/26

VANCOUVER, Wash. –  What if your business could receive a semester's worth of consulting support from a team of dedicated business students, guided by experienced faculty and seasoned business leaders, at no cost?

 

That is exactly what happens through Washington State University Vancouver's Business Growth Mentor & Analysis Program. For organizations looking for fresh perspectives, data-driven recommendations and actionable growth strategies, the opportunity can be transformative.

 

A Win-Win for Businesses and Students

The Business Growth MAP program pairs regional businesses and nonprofits with teams of Carson College of Business students who serve as consultants throughout the semester. Student teams work alongside faculty and volunteer business mentors to analyze challenges, identify opportunities, conduct research and develop strategic recommendations tailored to each client.

 

For students, the experience provides hands-on consulting work with real organizations. For businesses, it delivers professional-quality analysis and recommendations without consulting fees.

 

The impact is significant. During the 2025/26 academic year:

 

  • 16 businesses participated in the program.
  • 100% of clients said they would recommend participating.
  • 100% of clients indicated they would implement at least one recommendation from their student consulting team.

 

Since 2011, Business Growth MAP students have provided approximately 175,000 hours of pro bono consulting support to more than 415 small businesses and nonprofit organizations, helping generate more than $18.5 million in new revenue.

 

Celebrating Outstanding Client Projects

Each year, the program recognizes exceptional student consulting engagements. This year's Outstanding Team Project Awards were presented to teams serving MOTOCO and Mortons Barbecue & Catering

 

MOTOCO: Strengthening Operations for Growth

Washougal-based MOTOCO, a motorcycle parts, service and accessories company, partnered with a student consulting team that tackled everything from market analysis and customer research to inventory management and operational efficiency. The team surveyed customers, benchmarked competitors, identified operational bottlenecks and helped streamline inventory, customer relationship management and financial systems.

 

"The students were able to focus deeply on our areas of concern as well as bring to our attention some other issues that we did not understand the implications of," said owner Sandy Adams. "They quickly found our problem areas and diligently worked to find solutions, all of which are utilized today."

 

Mortons Barbecue & Catering: Building a Roadmap for Sustainable Growth

The spring award recipient, Mortons Barbecue & Catering of Vancouver, worked with a student team that conducted extensive primary research to identify opportunities for long-term expansion. Their recommendations included implementing a catering management system, launching a retail product line, creating winery partnerships and developing strategies to increase corporate business.

 

Owner Eric Morton credited the students' adaptability and commitment to understanding his business.

 

"I have already connected with a number of wineries based on the work of the students and we have many potential opportunities pending," Morton said. "The students genuinely wanted to help grow my business, and I am so thankful for them and the work they did."

 

Learning Beyond the Classroom

One of the program's greatest strengths is the collaboration among students, faculty, mentors and business owners.

 

During 2025/26, 17 volunteer mentors contributed more than 100 hours of expertise to help guide student teams through real-world consulting engagements.

 

Students consistently describe Business Growth MAP as one of the most valuable experiences of their academic careers because it allows them to apply classroom knowledge to complex business challenges while building skills in communication, leadership, analysis, teamwork and client management.

 

Looking for Business Partners

WSU Vancouver accepts applications from businesses that would like to participate in upcoming projects year-round.

 

Small businesses, growth-stage companies, and nonprofit organizations that are facing strategic, operational, marketing, financial or growth-related challenges are especially encouraged to explore the opportunity.

 

Participating organizations gain access to fresh thinking, market research, strategic recommendations and implementation planning while helping prepare the next generation of business leaders.

 

That is the power of Business Growth MAP: businesses receive valuable consulting support, students gain meaningful real-world experience, and the entire region benefits from stronger, more successful organizations.

 

Learn more about becoming a Business Growth MAP client online. 

 

About WSU Vancouver

WSU Vancouver is one of six campuses of Washington State University and the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington. The campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs that support workforce development, innovation and economic growth through strong partnerships with businesses, industries and community organizations.

 

WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. in Vancouver and is accessible via I-5, I-205 and C-TRAN bus service.

 

# # #

Attached Media Files: Pictured, Business Growth MAP’s Team MOTOCO: Back row left to right: Andrew Telegin, Anthony Huynh, Sunny (MOTOCO), Mike Pawlowski (mentor). Front row left to right: Carmen Schicker, Shayla Konency, Sandy Adams (MOTOCO), Kirsten (MOTOCO).,

Real Business Growth. Real Student Experience. Real Community Impact. (Photo) - 09/14/26

VANCOUVER, Wash. –  What if your business could receive a semester's worth of consulting support from a team of dedicated business students, guided by experienced faculty and seasoned business leaders, at no cost?

 

That is exactly what happens through Washington State University Vancouver's Business Growth Mentor & Analysis Program. For organizations looking for fresh perspectives, data-driven recommendations and actionable growth strategies, the opportunity can be transformative.

 

A Win-Win for Businesses and Students

The Business Growth MAP program pairs regional businesses and nonprofits with teams of Carson College of Business students who serve as consultants throughout the semester. Student teams work alongside faculty and volunteer business mentors to analyze challenges, identify opportunities, conduct research and develop strategic recommendations tailored to each client.

 

For students, the experience provides hands-on consulting work with real organizations. For businesses, it delivers professional-quality analysis and recommendations without consulting fees.

 

The impact is significant. During the 2025/26 academic year:

 

  • 16 businesses participated in the program.
  • 100% of clients said they would recommend participating.
  • 100% of clients indicated they would implement at least one recommendation from their student consulting team.

 

Since 2011, Business Growth MAP students have provided approximately 175,000 hours of pro bono consulting support to more than 415 small businesses and nonprofit organizations, helping generate more than $18.5 million in new revenue.

 

Celebrating Outstanding Client Projects

Each year, the program recognizes exceptional student consulting engagements. This year's Outstanding Team Project Awards were presented to teams serving MOTOCO and Mortons Barbecue & Catering

 

MOTOCO: Strengthening Operations for Growth

Washougal-based MOTOCO, a motorcycle parts, service and accessories company, partnered with a student consulting team that tackled everything from market analysis and customer research to inventory management and operational efficiency. The team surveyed customers, benchmarked competitors, identified operational bottlenecks and helped streamline inventory, customer relationship management and financial systems.

 

"The students were able to focus deeply on our areas of concern as well as bring to our attention some other issues that we did not understand the implications of," said owner Sandy Adams. "They quickly found our problem areas and diligently worked to find solutions, all of which are utilized today."

 

Mortons Barbecue & Catering: Building a Roadmap for Sustainable Growth

The spring award recipient, Mortons Barbecue & Catering of Vancouver, worked with a student team that conducted extensive primary research to identify opportunities for long-term expansion. Their recommendations included implementing a catering management system, launching a retail product line, creating winery partnerships and developing strategies to increase corporate business.

 

Owner Eric Morton credited the students' adaptability and commitment to understanding his business.

 

"I have already connected with a number of wineries based on the work of the students and we have many potential opportunities pending," Morton said. "The students genuinely wanted to help grow my business, and I am so thankful for them and the work they did."

 

Learning Beyond the Classroom

One of the program's greatest strengths is the collaboration among students, faculty, mentors and business owners.

 

During 2025/26, 17 volunteer mentors contributed more than 100 hours of expertise to help guide student teams through real-world consulting engagements.

 

Students consistently describe Business Growth MAP as one of the most valuable experiences of their academic careers because it allows them to apply classroom knowledge to complex business challenges while building skills in communication, leadership, analysis, teamwork and client management.

 

Looking for Business Partners

WSU Vancouver accepts applications from businesses that would like to participate in upcoming projects year-round.

 

Small businesses, growth-stage companies, and nonprofit organizations that are facing strategic, operational, marketing, financial or growth-related challenges are especially encouraged to explore the opportunity.

 

Participating organizations gain access to fresh thinking, market research, strategic recommendations and implementation planning while helping prepare the next generation of business leaders.

 

That is the power of Business Growth MAP: businesses receive valuable consulting support, students gain meaningful real-world experience, and the entire region benefits from stronger, more successful organizations.

 

Learn more about becoming a Business Growth MAP client online. 

 

About WSU Vancouver

WSU Vancouver is one of six campuses of Washington State University and the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington. The campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs that support workforce development, innovation and economic growth through strong partnerships with businesses, industries and community organizations.

 

WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. in Vancouver and is accessible via I-5, I-205 and C-TRAN bus service.

 

# # #

Attached Media Files: Pictured, Business Growth MAP’s Team MOTOCO: Back row left to right: Andrew Telegin, Anthony Huynh, Sunny (MOTOCO), Mike Pawlowski (mentor). Front row left to right: Carmen Schicker, Shayla Konency, Sandy Adams (MOTOCO), Kirsten (MOTOCO).,