HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — A program launched in 2013 is celebrating 10 years of inspiring and empowering Kentucky’s future innovators. The Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs has been set up at Northern Kentucky University throughout the summer, allowing high schoolers the chance to dabble in some hands-on business experience.

What You Need To Know

  • The Governor's School for Entrepreneurs is celebrating its 10-year anniversary

  • The program is free and helps provide a lot of knowledge, opportunities, and even scholarship grabs for students selected

  • Those at the program say they've spent their time crafting business solutions to real world problems

  • GSE reports over 900 students will have graduated from the program after 2023 programming comes to an end

One of this year’s participants is 16-year-old Alton Berger. The Henderson native spent a good chunk of his break at the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs on NKU’s campus. He’s been working with a team of other high schoolers tasked to come up with creative solutions to a problem.

“That’s what we wanted to solve — how can we improve the functionality of indoor and outdoor shoes for soccer,” Berger explained.

The problem is just a pitch idea right now, and it’s not something that can be solved overnight. That’s what Berger says he’s really learned at GSE — how the business world can create solutions to problems like the functionality and pricing of soccer shoes.

“We’ve gotten to learn everything that goes into it, so the brainstorming that goes into it, brainstorming how we can solve that problem, and how to present that in a way that’s one really marketable and really appealing to your audience,” explained Berger.

He’s one of 200 students taking part in GSE this summer. By summer’s end, over 900 students will have graduated from the program over the last decade.

Instructional coach JD Audena says he’s seen the 200 students learn a lot this summer to sharpen their business skills.

“You forget how quickly students grasp information and use it to become better,” Audena said.

He’s been hearing a lot of pitches from students over the summer. Besides Berger and his team working on soccer cleats, aspiring young entrepreneurs dove into health care, mental health and other community problems.

The program is free for selected students. It’s an experience that Audena says provides a skillset students can take with them wherever they go in life.

“To be better students, better leaders and better members of society,” Audena said.

Regardless of what they end up doing, these teenagers can craft some good ideas and they’re a part of Kentucky’s future.

GSE is already looking ahead to next summer’s programs. Applications will be open in the fall for next year. 

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