About JA
Changing the Lives of Young People
Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed. The inspiration piece comes from community volunteers who not only deliver our lessons, but share their experience. In the process, these volunteers serve as role models helping to positively impact young people’s perceptions about the importance of education, as well as critical life skills. Preparation involves our proven lessons that promote financial capability, work and career readiness, and business ownership.
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 really was the only outlet, the only place I could go where I could truly learn about business. Going to Junior Achievement, I learned everything. I learned how to incorporate, I learned all the different roles, sales, cost of goods sold, production, making products, selling, and selling at a profit, all the pieces. We literally ran a business. Just that whole concept of the American Dream I think drives so many kids. Junior Achievement is a good opportunity to understand what it takes to be successful as an entrepreneur in this country.
-Mark Cuban, JA Alumnus, Dallas Mavericks Owner, and Shark Tank Personality
Junior Achievement’s Purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. The envisioned future – what we aspire to become.
Junior Achievement maintains an active vision, front and center, on how we can have a positive impact on the lives of more students – guided by our core values: Belief in the boundless potential of young people; Commitment to the principles of market-based economics and entrepreneurship; Passion for what we do and honesty, integrity, and excellence in how we do it; Respect for the talents, creativity, perspectives, and backgrounds of all individuals; Belief in the power of partnership and collaboration and; Conviction in the educational and motivational impact of relevant, hands-on learning.
From our values, we articulate our purpose and vision, comprised of our core ideology.
Empowering young people to their own economic success. It’s not an easy task. But it’s the kind of challenge that JA takes on with creative energy, fervor, and decisive action.
-Mark Cuban, JA Alumnus, Dallas Mavericks Owner, and Shark Tank Personality
Junior Achievement’s Purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. The envisioned future – what we aspire to become.
Junior Achievement maintains an active vision, front and center, on how we can have a positive impact on the lives of more students – guided by our core values: Belief in the boundless potential of young people; Commitment to the principles of market-based economics and entrepreneurship; Passion for what we do and honesty, integrity, and excellence in how we do it; Respect for the talents, creativity, perspectives, and backgrounds of all individuals; Belief in the power of partnership and collaboration and; Conviction in the educational and motivational impact of relevant, hands-on learning.
From our values, we articulate our purpose and vision, comprised of our core ideology.
Empowering young people to their own economic success. It’s not an easy task. But it’s the kind of challenge that JA takes on with creative energy, fervor, and decisive action.
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. Michelle Jackson is the President and CEO of JA of Southern Nevada. Sandi Milton, SVP/Marketing Communications & Events at Nevada State Bank, is the Chair.
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 a number of critical areas. We invite you to read the Programs Evaluation Results.
We invite you to read the Programs Evaluation Results.
Our Impact in the Community
Today Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada reaches over 20,000 students annually throughout Clark County. Since being founded in 1996, Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada has impacted more than 330,000 students with practical hands-on financial literacy curriculum. These programs have been delivered by more the 285 area businesses and over 6,800 business role models.
How We Got Started
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.
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. JA of Southern Nevada was founded in 1996.
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 of Southern Nevada
Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada 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.
Select a button below to see how you or your organization can get involved with Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada.
Donate Volunteer Request A Program