Regional businesses can receive a semester of consulting support from Washington State University Vancouver business students, guided by faculty and experienced business leaders, at no cost.
Through the Carson College of Business’ Business Growth Mentor & Analysis Program, student teams help businesses and nonprofits analyze challenges, identify opportunities, and develop strategies for growth while gaining hands-on consulting experience.
A win-win for businesses and students
The Business Growth MAP program pairs regional businesses and nonprofits with teams of Carson College 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. All participating clients said they would recommend the program and planned to 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, according to data collected by the program.
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.
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.”
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.
“Overall, my experience in this course was very valuable and rewarding. The capstone project gave me hands-on experience working with a real client, conducting financial analysis, building recommendations, and collaborating within a team in a professional consulting-style environment. It helped me strengthen my skills in communication, leadership, Excel modeling, problem-solving, and presenting complex information in a clear and professional way. The experience felt very realistic and helped prepare me for future careers in finance and business,” said Arina Latypova, a student from the spring 2026 MAP program.
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.
Learn more about becoming a Business Growth MAP client.
