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Three University of North Georgia (̨Íåswag) MBA students in the Mike Cottrell College of Business completed a case study assignment for their summer course that piqued the interest of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.

Denise McWilliams, Latrisa DeGraft-Hanson and Sharlie Brooks came together in their Strategy and Structure of Technology Operations class to work on the project, which they had one month to complete.

McWilliams, a member of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Gold Award Executive Committee, thought of the program as a possible topic for the case study.

In 2016, only three percent of eligible girl scouts achieved the Gold Award – the highest achievement one can earn in the Girl Scouts Association.

The group’s research aimed to discover why the number of girls receiving this award has decreased in the Greater Atlanta Council for the past three years. Their research included interviews with previous Gold Award recipients as well as Gold Award leadership.

The group’s recommendations included three main goals: create a more supportive environment, simplify process components, and improve technology integration.

Among the group’s techniques for improving the award program include reinforcing interviewing, fostering empowerment, and creating a framework for positive change.

The Council has already begun strengthening their relationship with the Gold Award Committee and anticipates that they will increase online training along with implementing other recommendations.