At the Else School of Management at Millsaps, students don’t just learn about the world of business—they live it. Through the innovative ELSEWORKS entrepreneurship program, students receive real-world, hands-on experiences that stretch far beyond the classroom. Now entering its thirteenth year, ELSEWORKS continues to offer students unparalleled opportunities to work directly with businesses, non-profits and community leaders, applying their academic knowledge to make a tangible impact.
This year’s 21 ELSEWORKS business analysts are working on various projects spanning multiple industries and involving collaboration with local partners. With each project, students gain invaluable insights into business strategy, financial planning and community engagement, all while contributing to the economic revitalization of Jackson, particularly its vibrant Midtown neighborhood.
The Power of Partnership
Central to Millsaps’ mission is its commitment to fostering resilient communities through entrepreneurial collaboration. By partnering with local businesses, non-profits and community leaders, ELSEWORKS students are involved in projects that drive real economic change. The program also ensures that students not only learn business theory but also develop a deeper understanding of how to navigate complex challenges in a business setting.
Dr. David Culpepper
As Dr. David Culpepper, Chair of ELSEWORKS, puts it: “Our students are not just solving problems in the abstract. They’re working on actual business plans, marketing strategies and financial projections. It’s this hands-on experience that truly sets them apart when they graduate.”
Projects That Make an Impact
One of the highlights of the 2024-2025 ELSEWORKS program is the impressive lineup of projects. From working with a local rum distillery to supporting a community hub, these projects are diverse, dynamic and community-focused. Here’s a glimpse into some of the exciting ventures:
- Northshore Coffee – Northshore Coffee is a business co-founded by Trey Malone. ELSEWORKS is supporting a new retail operation and a wholesale line of customer-packaged beverages.
- Coffee Prose – Coffee Prose is a local coffee shop seeking to improve its operational efficiency. ELSEWORKS supports this by assisting with product and pricing analysis, social media management and creating a plan for a non-profit arm.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore – Habitat for Humanity ReStore aims to enhance its retail performance through better merchandising, pricing strategies and marketing outreach. ELSEWORKS helps by developing these strategies to boost store performance and increase community involvement.
- Downtown Jackson Revitalization – This project focuses on stakeholder engagement and project management, providing students with experience in urban development and large-scale project coordination. In partnership with local real estate developers and stakeholders, ELSEWORKS analysts play a key role in the revitalization of downtown Jackson.
- The Hangar – The Hangar is set to be Mississippi’s first industry-standard soundstage for video production. ELSEWORKS assists with developing financial models and a pitch deck to secure funding, providing practical experience in financial planning and investor relations.
- Midtown Depot Community Hub – Midtown Depot serves as a community hub, offering a space for local neighborhood events. ELSEWORKS students work on optimizing its operations and promoting the space through targeted marketing strategies.
- Millsaps Football – This project focuses on supporting the Millsaps Majors with social media marketing, data analytics and fundraising efforts. The group will analyze data from the Majors and our opposing teams to help coaches in their play-calling, leading the team to more wins!
ELSEWORKS students learn more about Habitat for Humanity.
Developing Future Leaders
In addition to these exciting projects, ELSEWORKS also offers specialized training to help students hone their skills. This year, students will receive training on artificial intelligence, public speaking, the R programming language and meeting facilitation—critical tools that will serve them well on their projects and in their future careers. As part of their team-based model, students work alongside faculty, entrepreneurs and fellow analysts, engaging in collaborative problem-solving and strategic planning.
The 2024-2025 ELSEWORKS Business Analysts include talented undergraduate and graduate students, each bringing unique skills to the table. This year’s group features 13 undergraduate analysts:
- Ben Anderson
- Natalie Burke
- Ana Cuesta
- Nick Eaton
- Bo Gilkison
- Anthony Jasinski
- Brady St. Martin
- Anu Mathew
- Umema Patanwala
- Tejveer Rathore
- Claire Reynolds
- Mallory Richardson
- Sam Willard
And eight graduate analysts:
- Kynlee Bartosh
- Brandon Benn
- Matthew Moore
- Harrison Rhymes
- Margaret Richardson
- Conner Rucker
- Padma Ram Srinivasan
- Patrick Turner
These students are not only gaining valuable career experience, but are also helping to build a brighter future for Jackson and its surrounding communities.
Natalie Burke
A senior business administration major, Natalie Burke is working on three projects: Restore (Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area), Coffee Prose and Downtown JXN. “I’m getting hands-on work experience with each of my projects,” she explained. “We solve problems for companies, help them succeed and develop ideas to improve their businesses. I’m getting to help these companies in many different areas and learning so much daily.”
A Legacy of Impact
Since its inception, ELSEWORKS has made a meaningful difference in both the lives of its students and the communities it serves. The program’s dual objectives of providing students with experiential learning opportunities while fostering economic development in underserved neighborhoods have been a driving force behind its success.
This commitment is exemplified in the ongoing relationship between ELSEWORKS and the Midtown community, a neighborhood that has a rich history with Millsaps. By working closely with residents and businesses, ELSEWORKS students help shape the future of this area, all while gaining practical experience.
“It’s an opportunity to step into the business world with highly educated and experienced professors to guide you,” Burke said. “It’s a fantastic environment because we, as students, are coming up with ideas and solutions, and seeing them put into action. I feel like I’m making a positive change in these companies and, in turn, a positive change in my community.”
As the groups embark on these projects, they are not just preparing for the future—they are actively building it. Through their dedication, creativity and hard work, these students are making a lasting impact on the businesses, organizations and communities they serve. In the process, they are laying the foundation for successful careers in business, entrepreneurship and beyond.