Winthrop Students Tackle Real-World Marketing Challenge in EPIC Competition
May 1, 2025
Winthrop Students Tackle Real-World Marketing Challenge in EPIC Competition Sponsored by York County Natural Gas Authority and York County Regional Chamber
Eight interdisciplinary student teams from Winthrop University recently competed in the Employer Provided Innovation Challenge (EPIC), a collaborative initiative designed to empower students to solve real-world business challenges. This semester’s challenge, sponsored by York County Natural Gas Authority (YCNGA) in partnership with the York County Regional Chamber (YCRC) and Winthrop University, tasked students with answering a complex question: How can a natural gas company effectively promote its environmental benefits to their customers while addressing common misconceptions about natural gas?
Combining storytelling, research, marketing strategy, and communication tactics, students in Professor Erin Patel’s Marketing 380 course rose to the occasion. Their innovative campaigns featured everything from data-driven survey analysis and brand redesigns to engaging slogans, mascot concepts, and promotional videos.
“This partnership reflects the kind of collaboration that drives meaningful change in our community,” said Celeste Tiller, Vice President of Talent and Workforce Development at YCRC. “By bringing together industry leaders, educational institutions, and the Chamber, we are equipping students with the tools they need to succeed while strengthening the future workforce of York County.”
The YCNGA team was equally inspired by the students’ creativity and commitment. “We were blown away by the professionalism and fresh thinking the students brought to the table,” said Hannah Smith, Marketing Manager at YCNGA. “Their ability to take a complex topic like natural gas and turn it into compelling, informative campaigns with ideas that we could readily implement into our existing strategies was incredibly impressive. Programs like EPIC are not just beneficial for students—they provide real value to businesses like ours.”
A panel of natural gas and marketing experts from YCNGA reviewed each team’s presentation. Awards were granted to the top three teams, who earned cash prizes for their innovative work:
- 1st Place ($1,000): Ne’Vaeh Walker, Prema Van Deren, Tylique Smith, and Joseph McGrath
- 2nd Place ($750): Amelie Tolf, Gracee Nelson, Claire Meuret, and Jay Hayes
- 3rd Place ($500): Zach Cunard and Lily Beirne
Adjunct Professor Erin Patel, who mentored the student teams alongside Tiller, Becky Ross (Director for Winthrop’s Center for Career Development & Internships), and Smith and Barry Duncan (Director of Business Development) from YCNGA, expressed her pride in the students’ work.
“It was a tremendous opportunity to enable my students to practice marketing principles in depth and bring them to life—even though they just learned these concepts this semester,” said Patel. “They conducted surveys using Qualtrics, created mascots, rebranded messaging, and produced videos—applying classroom lessons with creativity and professionalism. I couldn’t be prouder.”
As part of its Talent & Workforce mission, the York County Regional Chamber plays a vital role in building and supporting a strong local workforce. One example of this work is EPIC, which was developed in response to the limited capacity of traditional internships. Based on a model piloted by the U.S. Chamber Foundation, EPIC offers scalable, credentialed experiences that strengthen career readiness and deepen employer engagement.
Employers interested in engaging with EPIC or exploring workforce development solutions are encouraged to contact the York County Regional Chamber to learn how they can get involved.
York County Regional Chamber
The York County Regional Chamber (YCRC) is the connection between your business and our diverse and growing community. We provide resources, advocacy, relationships, and programs to help you capitalize on our region’s strengths. As the largest chamber in our SC region, we work in partnership with over 700 businesses and organizations from Fort Mill, Rock Hill, Tega Cay, and York. We are CACCE accredited and powered by a professional staff and a strong, diverse volunteer leadership team.
York County Natural Gas Authority
York County Natural Gas Authority (YCNGA) is a not-for-profit public utility serving over 75,000 customers across York County and parts of Cherokee County, South Carolina. Established in 1954, YCNGA is committed to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable energy solutions while investing in infrastructure, employees, and the community. Their Community Investment Initiative supports workforce development, education, and community enrichment. Recognized nationally for excellence in safety, leadership, and communications, YCNGA remains dedicated to empowering employees and fostering partnerships that enhance the quality of life for the communities it serves. Learn more about YCNGA here.
Winthrop University
Founded in 1886, Winthrop University is a four-year, top-ranked, mid-sized public regional comprehensive university that provides personalized and challenging undergraduate, graduate and professional education programs of national caliber in a variety of on-campus and online programs and modalities. Located in the heart of the Carolinas, Winthrop upholds a tradition of national caliber academics, championship athletics and a student-centered approach. The university provides an education that blends liberal arts, professional programs, global awareness and civic engagement with an emphasis on lifelong professional and personal development. Winthrop grants 46+ undergraduate degrees and more than 20 graduate degrees across four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Technology, the Richard W. Riley College of Education, Sport and Human Sciences, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Beginning in fall 2025, an Honors College will be added to the academic offerings. Learn more about Winthrop here.