The University is pleased to serve as the host site for the Junior Achievement of Maine–Titan Challenge event, held each year during the month of February. The Titan Challenge allows participants to compete against their peers across the state on business finance and marketing exercises. UMPI’s Business Administration Faculty members have provided strong support for the event, and several UMPI Business students have been involved.

During the day-long event, about 80 students take part in sessions covering everything from price and production to marketing and research and development to capital investment and charitable giving. They also participate in preparation simulations and then four rounds of competition, teleconferencing live with their business-focused peers across the state. While on campus, students have the opportunity to learn more about college life, enjoying campus tours and lunch in Kelley Commons.

Very excitingly, during the February 2015 event, Aroostook County teams took all three top spots in the competition. No one location has ever taken all three spots prior to the 2015 event.

According to its website, Junior Achievement programs help to prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs which make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Students put these lessons into action, and help strengthen their communities. JA in Maine has taught nearly 9,000 students throughout the state. In partnership with local businesses and educators, JA brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential and preparing them for the world of work. For more information about Junior Achievement, visit its website.