AHEAD Energy Marks
One Year at Marietta College
Student
Contributions Help Nonprofit’s African Energy Mission Flourish
AHEAD
Energy has emerged as a stronger organization as a result of its first year at
Marietta College, carrying forward its mission to provide life-enhancing energy
to schools and medical facilities in Africa.
“We feel very welcome at Marietta College,” expressed MJ Ebenhack, President and CEO of AHEAD Energy. “Within days of arriving on campus, AHEAD was approached by Professor Liane Gray-Starner about having students in her Organizational Development Class consult with AHEAD. Three student teams were formed focused on raising AHEAD’s profile on campus, raising AHEAD’s profile in the community, and improving organizational structures.”
As a result of this contact with the class, numerous publicity pieces have been created, several presentations have been made to community groups, and AHEAD has formed a Marietta Action Team (MAT) that meets monthly. This group of Marietta College faculty, staff, students, and community members guides staff, assists with organizational and program efforts, and plays an important role in linking AHEAD to related college programs and leaders.
Under the direction of the MAT, a bi-monthly gathering -- “Getting AHEAD in the AM” -- has been rolled out. This breakfast meeting, which fits into a precise one-hour time frame, is aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the organization, its mission, and its accomplishments. “It is our primary way of sharing our vision and our story with local people,” said Ebenhack.
The MAT is also overseeing a Development Team composed primarily of Marietta College students. Sophomore Sarah Campfield heads up the Team, which is unveiling a number of fundraising initiatives aimed initially at the campus community.
Students are assisting with marketing and communications efforts as well. This semester Doug Miller, a Junior Information Systems major and Robert Mathais, a Sophomore Graphic Design major are working with AHEAD to update and expand its social networking. Sean Kenny and Jenn Emmert are working on a Public Service Announcement for the Marietta College radio station.
AHEAD has also partnered with undergraduate Sean McKenna, who is working with AHEAD for the next year as part of a new college initiative called Next Gen: Engaging the Next Generation in Social Change. Next Gen shapes students to be effective board members of nonprofit organizations. Sean will attend Board of Directors and Marietta Action Team meetings. “I wanted to work with AHEAD because of my interest in global issues and the value of AHEAD’s work,” stated Sean hi his application. Sean is a junior studying Marketing, Management, Communications and Public Relations.
AHEAD is providing opportunities for Marietta College students to travel both domestically and internationally.
“AHEAD is working with the Education Department at Marietta College to engage students in developing an energy curriculum for grade school children in Africa,” Ebenhack shared. “Students will be involved both in assembling the technical content and developing the teaching modules.”
It is anticipated that students will travel to Ghana in 2012 to introduce the curriculum at a school with which the College has had a 5-year relationship.
In June, three Marietta College students will be joining AHEAD President & CEO MJ Ebenhack at the Aid and International Development Forum in Washington, DC. Laura Finck, a Junior from Junction City, Ohio majoring in Political Science; Samantha Thomas, a Sophomore from Loraine, Ohio ; and MaLisa Spring, a Biology major from Zanesville, Ohio will have this opportunity to attend a leading global event that addresses the delivery of international aid and development solutions.
AHEAD has benefited by participating in a number of workshops offered by the Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative being sponsored in conjunction with the Marietta College Office of Civic Engagement and the Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable Fund. In addition, AHEAD has contributed to a number of campus-based programs including the Great Decisions Series where MJ Ebenhack led a session on the Horn of Africa.
“We feel very welcome at Marietta College,” expressed MJ Ebenhack, President and CEO of AHEAD Energy. “Within days of arriving on campus, AHEAD was approached by Professor Liane Gray-Starner about having students in her Organizational Development Class consult with AHEAD. Three student teams were formed focused on raising AHEAD’s profile on campus, raising AHEAD’s profile in the community, and improving organizational structures.”
As a result of this contact with the class, numerous publicity pieces have been created, several presentations have been made to community groups, and AHEAD has formed a Marietta Action Team (MAT) that meets monthly. This group of Marietta College faculty, staff, students, and community members guides staff, assists with organizational and program efforts, and plays an important role in linking AHEAD to related college programs and leaders.
Under the direction of the MAT, a bi-monthly gathering -- “Getting AHEAD in the AM” -- has been rolled out. This breakfast meeting, which fits into a precise one-hour time frame, is aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the organization, its mission, and its accomplishments. “It is our primary way of sharing our vision and our story with local people,” said Ebenhack.
The MAT is also overseeing a Development Team composed primarily of Marietta College students. Sophomore Sarah Campfield heads up the Team, which is unveiling a number of fundraising initiatives aimed initially at the campus community.
Students are assisting with marketing and communications efforts as well. This semester Doug Miller, a Junior Information Systems major and Robert Mathais, a Sophomore Graphic Design major are working with AHEAD to update and expand its social networking. Sean Kenny and Jenn Emmert are working on a Public Service Announcement for the Marietta College radio station.
AHEAD has also partnered with undergraduate Sean McKenna, who is working with AHEAD for the next year as part of a new college initiative called Next Gen: Engaging the Next Generation in Social Change. Next Gen shapes students to be effective board members of nonprofit organizations. Sean will attend Board of Directors and Marietta Action Team meetings. “I wanted to work with AHEAD because of my interest in global issues and the value of AHEAD’s work,” stated Sean hi his application. Sean is a junior studying Marketing, Management, Communications and Public Relations.
AHEAD is providing opportunities for Marietta College students to travel both domestically and internationally.
“AHEAD is working with the Education Department at Marietta College to engage students in developing an energy curriculum for grade school children in Africa,” Ebenhack shared. “Students will be involved both in assembling the technical content and developing the teaching modules.”
It is anticipated that students will travel to Ghana in 2012 to introduce the curriculum at a school with which the College has had a 5-year relationship.
In June, three Marietta College students will be joining AHEAD President & CEO MJ Ebenhack at the Aid and International Development Forum in Washington, DC. Laura Finck, a Junior from Junction City, Ohio majoring in Political Science; Samantha Thomas, a Sophomore from Loraine, Ohio ; and MaLisa Spring, a Biology major from Zanesville, Ohio will have this opportunity to attend a leading global event that addresses the delivery of international aid and development solutions.
AHEAD has benefited by participating in a number of workshops offered by the Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative being sponsored in conjunction with the Marietta College Office of Civic Engagement and the Sisters of St. Joseph Charitable Fund. In addition, AHEAD has contributed to a number of campus-based programs including the Great Decisions Series where MJ Ebenhack led a session on the Horn of Africa.