From left SSU students Nehemiah Shanks, Mikalah Parks, Ahmad Heaggans, and Morgan Snipes, and Dr. Carmella Lennon-Hill, faculty advisor.Savannah State University (SSU) students earned second place at the Social Entrepreneurship and STEM Pitch Competition recently hosted by Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia. By finishing in second place – in a field of six teams – the SSU students earned a $1,000 prize and advanced to the regional round of competition.
The student team, composed of Ahmad Heaggans, Nehemiah Shanks, Morgan Snipes, and Mikalah Parks, presented a business concept called Empower Migrate. Their project addressed challenges faced by homeless shelters through an innovative technology-based solution. To better understand the issues, the students interviewed Union Mission, a local shelter in Savannah, and later toured the facility to observe daily operations and identify where technology could fill existing gaps.
Based on their research findings, the students created an app that helps shelters manage and track essential client services, such as housing, employment, length of stay, daycare, and assistance with critical documentation, including licenses and social security information. While the concept was inspired by Union Mission, the app is designed to serve as a solution for shelters everywhere that face similar challenges.
The SSU team represented Savannah State University and the College of Business Administration with great professionalism and creativity. Their second-place finish speaks to both their preparation and innovative thinking. The students will now move on to regionals, competing against teams from Clayton State University, Florida A&M University, and Alabama A&M University.
Dr. Carmella Lennon-Hill, Assistant Professor of Management in the College of Business Administration, served as the team’s mentor and advisor. A proud alumna of Savannah State University and the College of Business, she has been mentoring and advising students in entrepreneurship and pitch competitions for four years. Her continued commitment to student success and innovation has helped strengthen the university’s visibility and competitiveness in statewide and regional pitch events.
The College of Business Administration continues to equip students with the skills and hands-on experiences necessary to succeed in business and entrepreneurship. Through opportunities such as pitch competitions and experiential learning, students gain the confidence, creativity, and leadership needed to make meaningful contributions in their communities and beyond.
