College of Business, Engineering, and Technology students advanced to the final round
and earned a $2,000 award in a national entrepreneurship showcase
FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� A student team from 麻豆直播鈥檚 College of Business,
Engineering, and Technology earned fourth place and a $2,000 award at the 2026 HBCU
Pitch Competition in Atlanta, advancing through a national field of 30 institutions
in a multi-day showcase of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The competition opened with presentations from all participating schools. Kentucky
State advanced to the final round as one of six teams invited to pitch again before
the judges, ultimately finishing fourth overall.
Participants included Business majors Mugisha Donatien and Jai鈥檒ah Woodson; Computer
Science major Uraru Jamu; and Manufacturing Engineering Technology majors Nigel Maringwa
and Anthony Ng鈥檃ndwe.
The finish reflected both the strength of the team鈥檚 idea and the preparation behind
it, underscoring the culture of innovation, collaboration, and applied learning taking
shape within the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology.
Kristel Smith, interim career services manager and adjunct faculty member, served
as faculty advisor and mentor throughout the competition process, alongside Dr. Jyotica
Batra, chair and associate professor of physics, and Dr. Chi Shen, dean of the College
of Business, Engineering, and Technology.
鈥淥ur students demonstrated exactly the kind of innovation, preparation, and resilience
this competition demands,鈥� Ms. Smith said.
鈥淭o advance to the final round and finish fourth among such strong national competition
is a significant achievement,鈥� Dr. Batra added. 鈥淭hey represented Kentucky State exceptionally
well, and I could not be more proud of their work.鈥�
Additional feedback and support were provided by Mr. Dave Crowe, Ms. Keymia Herve,
Dr. Sait Sarr, Dr. Gary Stratton, Dr. Ezra Wari, and Dr. Clifton Wise. The team also
benefited from important peer support from Takeo Jasper and Emanuel Obielodan.
