Program Overview

Co-Creating Solutions is a campus-wide competition where student teams partner with a coach to design practical, realistic responses to real community needs in West Virginia. The competition gives students a chance to apply their academic skills, explore purpose-driven work, and strengthen their career readiness while supporting nonprofits across the state.

Register Here

Purpose

This competition gives students a hands-on way to learn how to co-create across disciplines and perspectives by working directly with real community needs. It blends problem-solving, teamwork, civic responsibility, and career skill development. The work focuses on real challenges faced by nonprofits.

How It Works

• Teams of 3 to 4 WVU students commit to designing a solution to a defined community challenge.
• Each team selects a coach from a nonprofit, or a WVU faculty or staff member.
• All teams attend a required two-hour workshop on community needs, expectations, team roles, and professional skills and this includes individual time with the event sponsor.
• Teams meet independently with their coach to shape their proposal.
• All teams participate in the initial pitch round.
• The top five teams advance to the final event judged by community and professional leaders.

Rules

• Teams must attend the workshop.
• Teams must have a designated coach.
• Only WVU students may compete.
• Solutions must address a West Virginia community need identified by the community.
• Solutions must be realistic and achievable.
• Proposals must be original.
• Teams must submit all required materials on time.

Judging Criteria

1. Clear understanding of the community need
2. Feasibility of the solution
3. Sustainability and long-term value
4. Creativity and design quality
5. Team collaboration
6. Anticipated community impact

Benefits to Students

• Real experience with community-focused work
• Stronger resumes and career-ready skills
• A deeper sense of purpose and civic understanding
• Networking opportunities with nonprofit and civic leaders
• A chance to compete for prize money

Benefits to Nonprofits

• New ideas and practical tools
• Additional capacity and problem-solving support
• Stronger WVU partnerships
• Access to students interested in public service and nonprofit careers

Timeline

Recruitment Opens: January 26

Applications Close: February 9

Information Sessions:

• February 2
• February 3

Two-Hour Workshop / Kick-Off Event: February 9

Required Consultation Session: February 12–16

Initial Pitch Round: February 24

Required Coaching Session for Finalists: February 25 or 26

Final Competition: February 27

Register Here