Founded in the spring semester of 2023, Shuford Launch was created to connect Shuford students through a mentorship relationship with eager high school students to further the students’ entrepreneurial education and share more about the transition to college.
At its core, Shuford Launch expands the Shuford Program’s mission of empowering students to turn ideas and inspiration into action by understanding the basic principles of entrepreneurship, while also developing self-confidence by practicing soft skills. Connecting current Shuford students with high schoolers to share these skills can help prepare them for any endeavors they pursue after graduation. Simultaneously, Shuford students have the opportunity to practice the Shuford curriculum outside of the classroom and engage in giving back to their communities.
Shuford Launch started as an on-campus bootcamp and has quickly expanded to in-person workshops at local high schools, as well as virtual workshops to connect with students across North Carolina. As of May 2025, over 250 high school students have participated in Shuford Launch.
Student Feedback Quotes
Hear what local high school participants have to say!
“I loved everything about this workshop! The elevator pitch is something my mom, an entrepreneur, always talks about. It is nice to hear how it can be applied in everyday life, at all ages… I am very excited to learn more about the UNC Shuford Program, and it makes me want to go there even more now. I can even see the benefits of me being pre-med and being a part of this program. Thank you again for taking the time out of your busy schedules to teach us the Shuford program, and the importance of networking and my personal branding.”
-Sophomore at Weddington High School (Matthews, NC), April 2025
“I would say my favorite part was the personal connection to everyone else there. Having specific mentors that you can reach out to and talk to made it much easier to not only understand what was happening in Shuford but also made it easier to learn about anything the mentors might know about, such as networking or resumes.”
-Student at Ravenscroft School (Raleigh, NC), March 2025
“I found that offering guidance and fostering relationships with students were the most rewarding aspects of the experience. This engagement enabled me to enhance my interpersonal skills significantly. As for the mentees, I believe the on-site visits proved most advantageous, providing them with a practical insight into college life.”
-Shuford ’25 Mentor, April 2024
“I think the aspect of learning and teaching about the program and entrepreneurship is great for both sides. It re-establishes the basic skills for mentors and teaches the mentees all about self-image, branding, and entrepreneurship.”
-Shuford ’26 Mentor, March 2025
Shuford Students looking to participate in Shuford Launch can apply to become a mentor Here
Shuford Students who wish to bring Shuford Launch to their high school can email the Shuford Launch team at info@shufordlaunch.com, and they will connect with you on next steps
