About JA
CHANGING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE
At Junior Achievement we believe in "possible." Each day, we work to help young people discover what’s possible in their lives. We do this by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. We let them know it’s possible to invest in their future, to gain a better understanding of how the world works, and to pursue their dreams. We show them that it’s possible for tomorrow to be a better day.
Our Values
Belief
In the boundless potential of young people.
Seek Out
Diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and talents in our staff and volunteers, and boards to reflect the geographies and communities we serve.
Nurture
The power of partnerships and collaboration.
Approach
Our work with passion, honesty, integrity, and excellence.
Teach
Principled market-based economics and entrepreneurship that build a more sustainable world.
Advocate
For relevant hands-on learning.
Empowering the Next Generation
Junior Achievement’s proven lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship are shown to positively impact the lives of young people. These lessons align with national and state educational standards and are delivered to millions of students across the country with the help of our education partners and volunteers from the local community.
Research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success, and have started a business as an adult.
Learn more about 2021-2022 Alumni Survey Report
Research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success, and have started a business as an adult.
Learn more about 2021-2022 Alumni Survey Report
Junior Achievement Facts
What is Junior Achievement?
Junior Achievement has over 100 local JA Areas across the nation, and together we are the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA's programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.
Purpose
Junior Achievement's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Our focus is to ensure that every kindergarten through eighth grade student in the Triad has the competencies needed for future success in life and career. Annually K-8th grade students will experience successive learning which helps consistently build ‘I can’ beliefs and mindsets early in life, equipping them to confidently overcome life’s obstacles.
Leadership
Mr. Alan Armstrong, President & CEO of The Williams Companies, is chairman of the Junior Achievement USA board of directors. Jack E. Kosakowski is the president and chief executive officer of Junior Achievement. Junior Achievement USA board members represent a wide range of businesses and academic institutions around the world. In addition, approximately 3,800 board members lead JA Area Offices around the United States. Our local leadership consists of:
• Steve Swetoha of the Greensboro Swarm as Chair of the Board of Directors
• Andy Bunn of First National Bank as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
• Steve Swetoha of the Greensboro Swarm as Chair of the Board of Directors
• Andy Bunn of First National Bank as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Proven Success
Junior Achievement is one of a few nonprofits to use independent, third-party evaluators to gauge the impact of its programs. Since 1993, independent evaluators have conducted studies on Junior Achievement's effectiveness. Findings prove that Junior Achievement has a positive impact in several critical areas. JA Alumni, when compared to the general population have higher educational attainment, career satisfaction, financial capability, household income and are more likely to start a business.
Program Reach
Nationally, Junior Achievement reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in 208,373 classrooms and after-school locations. JA programs are taught by volunteers in inner cities, suburbs, and rural areas throughout the United States, by over 100 Area Offices in all 50 states. Locally, Junior Achievement of the Triad reaches more than 21,000 students per year in 1,000 classrooms. JA programs are taught by volunteer role models throughout our five-county service area (Alamance, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham).
A Brief History
Junior Achievement was founded in 1919 by Theodore Vail, president of American Telephone & Telegraph; Horace Moses, president of Strathmore Paper Co.; and Senator Murray Crane of Massachusetts. Its first program, JA Company Program®, was offered to high school students on an after-school basis. In 1975, the organization entered the classroom with the introduction of Project Business for the middle grades. Over the last 39 years, Junior Achievement has expanded its activities and broadened its scope to include in-school and after-school students.
• 1965 - Junior Achievement of Greensboro was established in July of 65’.
• 1970s - Junior Achievement of Greensboro offered Company Programs only where local businesses would adopt a group of students to launch a business and design a product.
• 1980 - JA of Greensboro hosted the first Hall of Fame where several founding members were inducted as Laureates.
• 1982 - JA of Greensboro was renamed to JA of Guilford County. It was around this time that JA introduced classroom-based programming.
• Early 1990s - JA USA introduced a comprehensive K-12 curriculum. With this new curriculum, JA of Guilford County expanded into Alamance-Burlington and Randolph counties.
• Mid-1990s - JA of Guilford County underwent another name change to JA of Central NC.
• 1998 - The historical home and current headquarters was donated to JA of Greensboro.
• Early 2000s - JA of Central NC continued to expand and grow impact. 2015 - JA of Central NC underwent a final name change to JA of the Triad. JA of the Triad currently serves over 21,000 students in a five-county service area.
• 2019 - Junior Achievement USA celebrated the 100-year anniversary since its initial founding in 1919 by Theodore Vail, President of American Telephone & Telegraph; Horace Moses, President of Strathmore Paper Co.; and Senator Murray Crane of Massachusetts.
• 2020 - JA of the Triad celebrated its 55 year in operation in our local community.
• 1965 - Junior Achievement of Greensboro was established in July of 65’.
• 1970s - Junior Achievement of Greensboro offered Company Programs only where local businesses would adopt a group of students to launch a business and design a product.
• 1980 - JA of Greensboro hosted the first Hall of Fame where several founding members were inducted as Laureates.
• 1982 - JA of Greensboro was renamed to JA of Guilford County. It was around this time that JA introduced classroom-based programming.
• Early 1990s - JA USA introduced a comprehensive K-12 curriculum. With this new curriculum, JA of Guilford County expanded into Alamance-Burlington and Randolph counties.
• Mid-1990s - JA of Guilford County underwent another name change to JA of Central NC.
• 1998 - The historical home and current headquarters was donated to JA of Greensboro.
• Early 2000s - JA of Central NC continued to expand and grow impact. 2015 - JA of Central NC underwent a final name change to JA of the Triad. JA of the Triad currently serves over 21,000 students in a five-county service area.
• 2019 - Junior Achievement USA celebrated the 100-year anniversary since its initial founding in 1919 by Theodore Vail, President of American Telephone & Telegraph; Horace Moses, President of Strathmore Paper Co.; and Senator Murray Crane of Massachusetts.
• 2020 - JA of the Triad celebrated its 55 year in operation in our local community.
Organizational Overview
Junior Achievement USA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and provides strategic direction, leadership, and support to over 100 JA Areas across the nation. Local volunteer boards of directors comprised of business, education, and civic leaders set the policy and direction for each local office.
Junior Achievement of the Triad is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina and provides kindergarten through eighth grade programming to students within a five-county service area (Alamance, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham). Our Board of Directors is comprised of business, education and civic leaders in the Triad who are dedicated to empowering young people to achieve success.
Junior Achievement of the Triad is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina and provides kindergarten through eighth grade programming to students within a five-county service area (Alamance, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham). Our Board of Directors is comprised of business, education and civic leaders in the Triad who are dedicated to empowering young people to achieve success.
Volunteers
Junior Achievement's 247,350 classroom volunteers come from all walks of life, including: business people, college students, parents and retirees. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our organization. Junior Achievement's 808 classroom volunteers come from all walks of life, including: businesspeople, college students, parents, and retirees. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our organization.
Junior Achievement of the Triad Team
Staff
Our staff is committed to making your experience working with us absolutely the best!
JA StaffLeadership
Meet the passionate and committed team that is working hard to empower our youth.
JA LeadershipBoard
Our Board Members includes the finest business and individual leaders in our community.
JA BoardMore about Junior Achievement
Financial and Annual Reports
We've consistently received high grades for accountability and transparency.
JA FinancialsOur Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We at Junior Achievement are dedicated to providing a positive, enriching learning experience free of bias that promotes greater economic opportunity and equity. Junior Achievement welcomes K-12 students, volunteers, educators, staff, and other partners and stakeholders, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other legally protected characteristic.
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