During the Spring 2013 semester, a team of marketing students from the University of Houston-Downtown competed in America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) Energy Challenge. The Energy Challenge required students to perform research, implement and evaluate an integrated marketing campaign for their client, ANGA. The goal was to educate and inform the student body at UHD and the local community on the benefits of natural gas as an energy source and the responsible development of natural gas production.

The UHD students competed against teams from Texas A&M University, Middle Tennessee State University, Georgia State University, West Virginia University and Case Western Reserve University. Of the six competing schools, ANGA executives chose the UHD team as one of three finalists. The students will present their campaign in Washington D.C. on May 29 to the ANGA judges, who will then determine the final three placements.

The UHD students who will present the final presentation to ANGA include Jackie Heathcock, team coordinator; Stefanie Munoz, advertising coordinator; Casey Cavazos, planning and strategy coordinator; Cord Longenberger, research coordinator; and Ming Chau, public relations coordinator. "We recognize that it's a privilege to participate in this type of learning activity," said Heathcock. "The team devoted extensive hours of time and energy into this project, and it's truly an honor to be recognized as one of the top contenders."

"This project required the students to exercise creativity, to practice good time management, and to apply their knowledge in a team setting," said Michelle Wicmandy, marketing lecturer. "They developed and executed an integrated marketing campaign that produced excellent results that captured the judges' attention. It's very gratifying to see the student's efforts pay off."

"Witnessing the growth and learning that takes place with the students I work with is one of the greatest pleasures of my job, said Katie Meier, account coordinator for EdVenture Partners. "To see them learn not only about marketing, but also general business and other life lessons is really neat. What students walk away with is invaluable.

About America's Natural Gas Alliance

America's Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) exists to promote the economic, environmental and national security benefits of greater use of clean, abundant domestic natural gas. The Alliance represents 27 of North America's largest independent natural gas exploration and production companies and the leading developers of the shale plays now transforming the clean energy landscape. As they make decisions about the clean energy future, ANGA seeks to inform and engage all stakeholders about the opportunities presented by greater use of this clean energy resource - improving air quality, adding jobs to the economy and enhancing energy security. Find out more at www.anga.us

About EdVenture Partners

EdVenture Partners is dedicated to developing innovative industry-education partnership programs. The objective of such programs is to provide hands-on, real-world experience to students in tandem with providing marketing solutions and recruiting access at colleges and universities to clients. EdVenture Partners has designed and managed programs at over 1,000 campuses in North America and internationally. Find out more at www.edventurepartners.com

Ming Chau, public relations coordinator; Jackie Heathcock, team coordinator; Stefanie Munoz, advertising coordinator; and Casey Cavazos, finance coordinator. Not pictured: Cord Longenberger, research coordinator.