Students from the U of A attended the 2017 Enactus National Competition in Kansas City to network, brainstorm project ideas and create partnerships with students from other colleges and universities. 

Enactus is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring students to improve the world through entrepreneurial action. More than 72,000 students from over 1,700 colleges and universities in 36 countries participate in Enactus. Regional and national competitions provide a forum for teams to showcase their efforts and to be evaluated by company executives serving as judges.

"Nationals this year was inspiring," said John Hankes, a Sam M. Walton College of Business student studying economics and international business. "We watched strong and weak presentations, networked with other teams and bonded with each other."

The U of A students took the competition in May as an opportunity to build relationships with other Arkansas teams, notably with students from John Brown University in Siloam Springs. The U of A students had a chance to be on hand as the J.B.U. team won the national championship and the right to represent the United States at the Enactus World Cup 2017 in London.

"It was an incredible experience to see the hard work and dedication of our fellow enactors paying off," Hankes said. "Additionally, my experience as an observer lit a fire under me. I can see the steps we'll need to take to make it back next year and I believe we're ready. If we execute our plans we'll not only be able to make it to nationals but also make a statement when we do."

The U of A team helped John Brown students pass out annual reports to judges at the national competition and joined the J.B.U. students on stage to celebrate the win. 
 
"In 10 years, I will look back at the 2017 National Exposition and see it as the turning point for our team," Hankes said.