Business Students Collaborate with York County

What makes your town unique? What can be done to build, attract, and retain individuals, families, and businesses? These are questions that communities throughout York County explored in the spring of 2017 through the Marketing Hometown America initiative, led by the York County Development Corporation.

Data has been collected, ideas have been discussed, and the time for action has arrived: Enter York College juniors and seniors from the Elijah A. Levitt School of Business at York College. A handpicked group of students will work to implement projects identified during the Marketing Hometown America process, working with four local communities to bring about meaningful changes that have the potential to spur growth.

---

Bre Goben '17, development coordinator with York County Development Corp.

“We saw this as a great opportunity to connect with the community and provide real-world education for our students,” said Nicholas DiToro, recently named Roger Collins Endowed Chair of Business at York College. Students will work with local residents in Bradshaw, Henderson, York and McCool Junction on agenda items set by the villages and towns. Projects include websites and social media promotion, printed marketing materials, and physical improvements that require fundraising.

Recent YC graduate Bre Goben, a development coordinator with York County Development Corporation, is overseeing the interns along with DiToro. “I have high expectations for this group,” said Goben, who sees the Marketing Hometown America initiative as “an opportunity for our small towns to grow,” as well as a chance for York College students to network and build soft skills along with their resume achievements.

Senior business management major Melissa Strong, one of the York College interns working with Bradshaw, is excited to gain marketing experience while building up a small town. “I’m from Giltner, Nebraska, so I know some of the challenges small towns faces, especially as their population ages and they have a harder time bringing in young people and families,” she said. Strong’s future plans involve operating a Christian camp and retreat center. She sees this internship as great preparation for marketing her camp facilities and sessions in the future.

This is the second major project DiToro’s students have collaborated on with the community of York. In the spring of 2016, his Organizational Behavior class did much of the research for the Towers of York project, including estimates on costs, materials, and supply chain. They presented their findings and recommendations to the board of directors of the York Area Chamber of Commerce and the project was approved. The beautifully decorated water towers are now on display throughout York.

As mentioned above, DiToro was recently named the Roger Collins Endowed Chair of Business. This endowed position was created in 2011 to honor the late Dr. Roger Collins, longtime York College faculty member and administrator. It was previously held by Dr. D. Mark Moore and has been vacant since his passing in 2015.

DiToro has served as an associate professor of business at York College full time since January 2016. Prior to that, he was an advancement officer and taught occasional business courses. DiToro earned undergraduate degrees at York College and Oklahoma Christian University. He earned an MBA from Indiana Northwest. He was a certified public accountant and has many years of experience in the field of accounting, including work as an auditor, supervisor, and controller. Prior to joining the York College Advancement Office in 2009, he worked for several years for Schultz Lewis Children's Home as a development officer.​​

---

York College PBL (Business Organization), 2016-17, with faculty member Tim Lewis