About Us
ELSEWORKS is the entrepreneurship program at Millsaps College, a small liberal arts institution in Jackson, Mississippi. For over a decade, ELSEWORKS has played a key role in revitalizing the Midtown neighborhood, adjacent to campus, using a deeply place-based approach. Functioning like a business consultancy, the program is led by faculty, staff, and alumni who mentor student business analysts in delivering high-impact solutions for local businesses and community initiatives.
Through partnerships with Midtown Partners, the Business Association of Midtown, the Midtown Neighborhood Association, and others, ELSEWORKS provides a wide range of business services, including consulting, financial planning, market research, marketing, operations, and community engagement. The program supports both new and established businesses, fosters economic resilience, and equips Millsaps students with real-world experience in entrepreneurship, strategy, and leadership.
More than just an anchor institution, ELSEWORKS is redefining how colleges can drive urban revitalization—not simply through procurement, but by actively fostering entrepreneurship, economic opportunity, and long-term investment in Midtown.
Our Impact
Since 2012, ELSEWORKS has made a lasting impact in Midtown by supporting businesses, fostering community engagement, and providing students with hands-on entrepreneurial experience. Key accomplishments include:
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Ongoing consulting services for business incubator in Midtown.
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Development of two community gathering spaces: a coffee shop and a beer garden.
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Securing startup funds for three Midtown businesses.
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Sponsoring Beer and Business, a quarterly networking event for local entrepreneurs.
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Serving on the Business Association of Midtown’s board and assisting with bi-annual events.
Since its inception, ELSEWORKS has engaged 180 Millsaps students as business analysts and involved over 400 students in experiential classroom projects supporting Midtown businesses. Through these experiences, students develop leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, while gaining firsthand knowledge of entrepreneurship, economic development, and grassroots community engagement.
A 2022 socioeconomic impact study, conducted by ELSEWORKS students, documented striking improvements in Midtown over the past decade. Notably, the number of viable assets—homes, businesses, and properties in livable condition—rose by 74%, reflecting increased homeownership, new business creation, and improved housing stock. As a result, conventional investment is beginning to resurface in the community, signaling a new era of growth and opportunity.
