18-month pilot program at John Brown University, University of Arkansas, and NorthWest Arkansas Community College to connect students with regional employers, community organizations, and entrepreneurial pathways
BENTONVILLE, Ark. Tuesday, March 31 — Enactus USA today announced the launch of the Northwest Arkansas Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative, an 18-month pilot designed to strengthen career readiness and cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs and community leaders across the region. Operating under the Resolution Project, Enactus USA developed the initiative with support from the Walton Family Foundation.
The program will work with undergraduate students at John Brown University (JBU), the University of Arkansas (UARK), and NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)—connecting them with local employers, nonprofits, and civic organizations to identify real community needs and develop entrepreneurial responses. Students will work in interdisciplinary teams, guided by mentors and coaches, building practical skills in leadership, communication, and project execution that prepare them to contribute to the region’s growing economy.
“Northwest Arkansas is one of the most dynamic regions in the country, and the students here deserve a direct pathway into that opportunity,” said Mikena Manspeaker, Acting Country Leader & Director of Enactus USA. “This initiative is about ensuring students are connected to the community they’re already part of, and equipped to shape its future.”
Over the course of the pilot, students will conduct community needs assessments, develop and pitch project concepts, and access modest funding to test and implement solutions. Regional in-person training sessions, workshops, and coaching — co-hosted with the University of Arkansas — will anchor the student experience on the ground, alongside virtual programming throughout the year. Teams will also have the opportunity to participate in Enactus USA’s regional and national programming, including the National Exposition in 2026 and 2027, broadening their professional networks beyond the region.
The initiative builds on Enactus’ decades-long legacy of student-led social entrepreneurship—and on a deep history in Arkansas. Sam Walton, the co-founder of Walmart, was among the early champions of SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), the organization that later became Enactus, recognizing the power of students working alongside businesses and communities to create lasting impact.
“Supporting young entrepreneurs helps build a stronger regional economy,” said Yee-Lin Lai, senior program officer at the Walton Family Foundation. “This initiative gives students the tools, connections and real-world experience they need to create innovative solutions for their communities and pursue meaningful careers in Northwest Arkansas.”
Over time, the program aims to build a sustainable pipeline of career-ready graduates who are rooted in—and committed to—the communities of Northwest Arkansas.
About Resolution Project
Resolution Project empowers university students to launch and sustain social ventures that create lasting impact in their communities. Through its flagship Fellowship program and Enactus—the world’s largest experiential learning platform for students—Resolution identifies, equips, and supports young leaders with seed funding, expert mentorship, and lifelong guidance. Founded in 2007, Resolution Project has supported hundreds of Fellows across 87 countries who are working on ventures in high-impact fields including education, health, environment, and community development. Through Enactus, the organization engages over 50,000 students annually across 30+ countries in team-based entrepreneurial projects that build essential leadership and enterprise skills. Together, these initiatives have benefited millions of people and created meaningful economic, social, and environmental impact worldwide. Learn more at resolutionproject.org.
About the Walton Family Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation is, at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more, visit waltonfamilyfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
