National Competition Empowers College Students to Innovate Solutions for Academic Challenges

In an exciting move to empower students, Stellic has launched the Pathfinders Challenge, a national competition aimed at encouraging college students to design apps that tackle the challenges they face during their higher education journey. Initiated in collaboration with Anthropic and Lovable, this innovative challenge provides students with free tools to not just identify, but actively address the pain points in their academic experiences.

The Pathfinders Challenge invites all college and university students aged 18 and older from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Australia to take on the role of creators. Participants will focus on obstacles they have encountered while pursuing their degrees and can submit solutions in one of four categories: degree planning and discovery, overcoming financial and administrative hurdles, campus connection and belonging, or the transition from college to career.

Stellic, a leading academic planning and degree management platform, currently supports over 1 million students across more than 100 institutions. The company's mission is to enhance student success by simplifying the academic process. Founded by Sabih Bin Wasi, a first-generation immigrant and college student, Stellic began as a student venture at Carnegie Mellon University. Today, it collaborates with a diverse range of educational institutions, including community colleges and major research universities, striving for affordable and efficient pathways to graduation.

A Unique Opportunity for Student Voices

Students often find themselves disempowered when it comes to the systems that shape their educational experience. By participating in the Pathfinders Challenge, students can creatively reshape their educational environment. Participants will have access to valuable resources such as free credits for Lovable, a platform that allows users to create apps through simple language descriptions, or the Claude API for those who favor coding.

Individuals or teams of up to three can collaborate, and teamwork is encouraged across different universities. Notably, no formal coding experience is necessary to participate. This initiative not only fosters innovation but also helps build valuable skills for students as they embark on their career paths.

With a submission that includes a live link to their project, a two-minute demonstration video, a 500-word description, and a list of tools used, participants will be competing for a total of $12,000 in prizes. This includes a $5,000 grand prize, career guidance conversations with Stellic's leadership, and category prizes of $500 each. Additionally, the top teams will have the opportunity to present their solutions live at the Stellic Summit in September, where they will be highlighted in front of influential college leaders from across the nation.

Key Dates and Participation Details

Registration for the Pathfinders Challenge is currently open, with submissions closing on August 21, 2026. Final winners will be announced in early September 2026, ahead of the finalist presentations scheduled for September 23, 2026, during the annual Stellic Summit in Philadelphia. As this initiative encourages participation from all students, enrollment in a school utilizing Stellic's platform is not a requirement.

Students interested in participating can visit stellic.com/pathfinders to register and learn more about the competition. Questions regarding the event can be directed to [email protected].

In a world where student voices are often sidelined, the Pathfinders Challenge represents a powerful opportunity for change-making and innovation. By placing the power of creation in the hands of students who navigate these systems daily, Stellic is paving the way for a more equitable and efficient educational landscape, centered around student experiences and needs.