The Blue Ridge Community College SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) finished in the top eight U.S. colleges and universities placing first runner up in the semi-final round of competition at SIFE USA Expositional held in Kansas City, Missouri last week.  BRCC SIFE ended the year ranked as the #1 two-year college in the nation.

During the 2012 SIFE USA National Exposition BRCC SIFE was also recognized as a top ten finalist in the Wal*Mart Women’s Economic Empowerment Program for the BRIDGE, a student led program that mentors low income women through college. During the competition BRCC SIFE was awarded the 2012 Jack Shewmaker SIFE Spirit Award which recognizes the SIFE team that has demonstrated strong commitment to bettering the lives of others through their efforts and has done so with the utmost passion and enthusiasm for furthering the mission and vision of their SIFE team and the SIFE organization as a whole.

BRCC SIFE is one of nearly 600 SIFE programs in the United States. Participating students use business concepts to develop community outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. During this academic year, the BRCC SIFE team organized 16 projects including programs that benefit the economically challenged in Haiti, mentor at-risk high school students about their choices after high school, and aid intellectually challenged individuals in learning workforce and life skills.

For more information about BRCC SIFE contact the team’s faculty advisor Rebecca Evans at evansr@brcc.edu or call 540-453-2366.

SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise)

SIFE is an international non-profit organization that brings together the top leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business. Founded in 1975, SIFE has active programs on more than 1,500 college and university campuses in 39 countries. Through projects that improve the lives of people worldwide, the university students, academic professionals and industry leaders who participate in SIFE are demonstrating that individuals with a knowledge and passion for business can be a powerful force for change. For more information, contact SIFE USA at 417-831-9505.