It was only his second day on the job as the new executive director of the United Way of Monroe County (UWMC), and 19 math majors of East Stroudsburg University were already helping Michael Albert solve some of the non-profit\u2019s concerns.<\/p>\n
Albert, and Rich Schlameuss, a UWMC\u2019s board member and chair of the marketing committee , spent half a day in a math modeling class at ESU, surrounded by students who spent half of their spring semester analyzing data and researching solutions that would help the UWMC increase the number of donations they receive.<\/p>\n
Albert and Schlameuss left the classroom knowing that two billboards in the local area would cost them about $2,900, which would leave 1,396,856 impressions and that a mailing list of 4,413 properties would cost the United Way $441.30. The students explained tech-savvy advertising including, the \u2018text to donate\u2019 method, the effectiveness of QR codes, commercial and online advertising as well as more traditional advertising options such as, table tents and placemats at restaurants, and volunteer initiatives at grocery stores.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe students\u2019 presentation was an example of the professional work I would receive from a consulting agency,\u201d Albert said. \u201cI am fascinated with ESU\u2019s eagerness to help the community\u2014 it is so impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the last eight years, Olivia Carducci, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics, initiated a service learning project in her math class to bring her coursework to life. Last year, Dr. Carducci spoke to representatives from the United Way at a ESU Career Development business expo. She wanted to see if they would be interested in a partnership with the class. In early March, Mathilda Sheptak, former executive director of UWMC, came to the class to inform the students of the company\u2019s request to help them increase the number of donations they receive. United Way is a nonprofit agency that partners with local nonprofits, businesses, government and social service agencies to address the community\u2019s pressing needs. Over the course of six weeks, students developed a presentation for the company which included different methods of advertising to promote donations, a breakdown of the cost for each medium, and the pros and cons of each form of advertising. On May 7, 2015, the students presented their research to Albert, Schlameuss, and Miguel V. Barbosa, chief of staff at ESU and incoming UWMC board president.<\/p>\n
Numbers were a key part in explaining each method of advertising.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose of us who study math have the ability to understand numbers on a different level,\u201d David Zettel \u201915, from Bethlehem, Pa., said. \u201cWe don\u2019t just believe in the number in front of us\u2014 we need to see true data to know why that number exists.\u201d<\/p>\n
When it comes to the United Way, Zettel believes their analysis can help the organization increase its funding and use the specific avenues they recommended as a part of UWMC\u2019s marketing strategies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe pitched a presentation to representatives that have been in the advertising field,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are not trying to educate them on how to advertise \u2013 because they already know how to do that\u2014 but instead we wanted to show them the different methods of advertising and the numbers behind each one.\u201d<\/p>\n
While they are educating United Way on the importance of data, the students are testing their knowledge in the \u201creal world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re presenting data to a real company, there\u2019s something on the line,\u201d Frank Dyska, a graduate student from Roaring Brook Township, Pa., said. “There\u2019s a pressure to present them with new ideas, but there\u2019s also an opportunity to play a role in the organization\u2019s growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Albert plans on sharing the students\u2019 research with the United Way\u2019s marketing committee, and he thinks it will play a key role in helping their advertising plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs math majors, we like to be good problem solvers,\u201d Keri Hamlen \u201915, from East Stroudsburg, Pa., said.<\/p>\n
The partnership between the university and the non-profit organization goes beyond the Math classroom. Recently, ESU was selected as Partner of the Year for the United Way of Monroe County.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnited Way of Monroe County recognizes that ESU is a wonderful part of Monroe County, not only providing a top-notch educational experience for students, but also working with many other local organizations in multiple ways, to help Monroe County be the best it can be,\u201d Monica Cravotta, campaign & fund distribution director of United Way, said.<\/p>\n
The award was presented to university representatives on June 9 at The Chateau Resort and Conference Center in Tannersville, Pa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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