Today, at the Shift Series national conference, Compass Partners and fashion designer Kenneth Cole announced a unique and innovative partnership. The Compass Fellowship in Partnership with AWEARNESS, The Kenneth Cole Foundation will set the standard of excellence in social entrepreneurship and community building, by aiding in the expansion and national rollout of the fellowship program which encourages undergraduates to become agents of social change.

"As a company we have always encouraged others to pick a cause and get involved, and by joining forces with Compass Partners, together, we are able to create something much bigger," said Kenneth Cole. "The Fellowship will seek to identify, encourage and empower the next generation of change agents to make a difference in their respective communities."

Through its selective two-year fellowship program, Compass empowers university students to develop social ventures that have a real, positive impact on the world. Past Compass Fellows operate ventures including a Qatar-oriented impact investment group, an accessory line for smart, fashionable women, and a "solar bank" that supports alternative energy initiatives while saving low-income families money on their energy bills. All together, The Compass Fellowship in Partnership with AWEARNESS, The Kenneth Cole Foundation is a growing community of more than 100 student social entrepreneurs across universities nationwide.

"Kenneth Cole is a thought-leader, not only in the world of business, but also in the world of philanthropy. We are very excited about the developing partnership between our two organizations. The resources and experience of Kenneth Cole, combined with our passionate students and innovative curriculum, is going to help further the social entrepreneurship movement worldwide," said Neil Shah, Executive Director of Compass Partners.

The Compass Fellowship in Partnership with AWEARNESS, The Kenneth Cole Foundation will reach out to university students, administrators and faculty, and expand the co-curricular program to 8-10 schools per year. Additionally the partnership will develop co-curricular programming and internship programs based on Compass` current social entrepreneurship program and modules.

Kenneth Cole strongly believes that business and community service are "not independent but are in fact, interdependent." He and the company are known for incorporating messages of social responsibility in the design and marketing of their products and for supporting organizations addressing social issues. This announcement is the latest in a series of community-building programs of which Kenneth Cole has spearheaded. In 2002, Mr. Cole established a program for students at his alma mater, Emory University. Most recently he launched The Kenneth Cole Community Engagement Program for Undergraduates at Columbia University.

About Compass Partners

Through its flagship Fellowship Program, Compass Partners provides resources, training, and a vibrant support network to students with innovative ideas to change the world through business. At each university campus, the Compass Fellowship makes a deep investment in 15 college freshmen, introducing them to the world of social entrepreneurship through an intensive personal development and social business training program. The Compass Fellowship currently runs at five universities nationwide and is poised to extend its reach to 10 new campuses this fall.

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