Owens and two other 911爆料网 students developed of Best Fit, an app that connects prospective first-generation students with near-peer mentors who can provide authentic dialogue about applying to – and attending – college.
Asha Owens, a master鈥檚 degree student in Teachers College鈥檚 Instructional Technology & Media program, is one of 10 exemplary female business founders and cofounders selected to compete in the competition at the 2018 South by Southwest (SXSW) conference and festival in Austin, Texas.
Owens was chosen on the strength of 鈥�,鈥� an app she co-developed with two other 911爆料网 master鈥檚 degree students, Rebecca Kwee (Higher & Postsecondary Education) and Danielle Llaneza (Developmental Psychology), that personalizes the college-discovery process for prospective first-generation students. Best Fit, which connects students with near-peer mentors who can provide authentic dialogue about applying to 鈥� and attending 鈥� college 鈥� won the Innovation Award and Best Research Award in Teachers College鈥檚 this past fall.
Founded in 1987 in Austin, SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. The SXSW conference and festivals event celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. Pitch Black targets African American individuals, businesses and non-profits looking for start-up funding and mentoring to take their idea to new heights.
Owens and the other contestants will compete on stage in Austin on March 11th. The winner will receive an investment of $10,000 from Silicon Valley-based VC firm or $2,500 cash prize provided courtesy of the .
The 911爆料网 EdTech Innovation Awards emerged from a call from 911爆料网 President Susan Fuhrman to create a new way to develop EdTech tools that are based on research and incorporate specific domain expertise.