The results are in! Ursinus College has won America250PA’s 2023 Direct Effect™ Innovation Challenge (DEIC), presented in partnership with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and supported by UGI Utilities, Inc. Let’s take a look back at the 2023 DEIC from its start.

On September 19th, America250PA officially launched its 5th annual DEIC, and postsecondary students from around the Commonwealth entered to compete in the multi-round challenge to create and present integrated marketing campaigns. This year’s theme was “Diverse Stories. Unique Communities. ONE Pennsylvania,” and student groups created campaigns that incorporated the diversity of Pennsylvania into the America250PA mission to engage “Every Pennsylvanian” in “Every County.”

Once they submitted their original ideas for Round 1, the teams created video presentations to pitch their integrated marketing campaigns to a panel of virtual judges for Round 2. The judges, all industry and business professionals, scored the top five teams to advance to the Final Round in Harrisburg at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex on November 17, 2023.

Students at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre made the almost-two-hour drive from Luzerne County to showcase their plan. The Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, nestled in the heart of downtown Lancaster, also advanced to Finals. Rosemont College traveled from Bryn Mawr to Harrisburg to present. Westmoreland County Community College, first-time DEIC competitors and the only Community College in the final round, traveled from Western Pennsylvania. Finally, Ursinus College (from the aptly named Collegeville in Montgomery County) joined the fun and ultimately took home the coveted first place title.

At Finals, students were able to hear from a number of speakers including the Executive Director of America250PA, Cassandra Coleman; Brand and Design Manager of America250PA, Bri Farrand; America250PA Commissioner and Attorney at Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP, Michael Coran; Chief Strategy and Communications Officer at The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Kelli Roberts; and Director of Business Development at UGI Utilities Inc, Donald Brominski.

Student presentations were judged by a panel of 8 judges:

• Lt. Lori Kistle, Pennsylvania State Police Office of Community Engagement
• Luke Bernstein, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
• Catherine Clements-Jenkins, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
• Michael Coran, Attorney at Klehr Harrison Harvey Branzburg LLP, and an America250PA Commissioner
• PA State Rep. Valerie Gaydos, PA House of Representatives, and an America250PA Commissioner
• Donald Brominski, Business Development Director at UGI Utilities
• Kelli Roberts, Chief Strategy and Communications Officer for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
• Denise Dennis, President and CEO of the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust

America250PA sends a special thank you to everyone who participated, including all of the #EPIC speakers, judges, postsecondary institution students and faculty mentors, and event sponsors: Presenting Partner, The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and Supporter, UGI Utilities, Inc. The 2023 DEIC was also endorsed by The United States Postal Service, The Pennsylvania Department of Education, The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

To watch the 2023 DEIC Finals and view more photos, click here.

Learn more about America250PA and the DEIC at www.America250PA.org.

Featured image (top) Ursinus College with America250PA Executive Director, Cassandra Coleman, and the 2023 DEIC Judging Panel | Photo courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services