School:Colorado State University

Promoting student innovation and entrepreneurship

One goal that every university has is to guide students to become innovators and entrepreneurs. Although, universities around the globe have their own ways of promoting this. At Colorado State University (CSU), courses, clubs, workshops, facilities, etc. are available for students to participate in to expand their skills. Not only are these programs benefiting the students, but as well as the university as whole. Students take what they learn in these programs, then apply it to different classes or new clubs they are involved in. Some courses that are offered at CSU that lead students in discovering the start the process of entrepreneurship, are Innovating Minds and Lecture Series, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Colorado Industry Tour, and Startup Club. In addition to these learning courses, there are experimental courses that go more in depth and allow for students to do hands on learning. Examples include, COM 351 Field Management, LAND 449 Professional Practice, and B.S. in Apparel and Merchandising. While some of these innovative courses are specific to majors and are located located in certain colleges, there are several innovation spaces that are open to everyone. With these programs imbedded into CSU's campus, it creates a knowledgable environment and opens the doors for many students.

Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship

With thousands of students, it can be difficult for a single student to feel personally supported by the university and its faculty. However, CSU does an outstanding jobs aiding students by providing numerous outlets for student interaction with professors, advisors, and administration. Every department on campus has numerous staff members who are there to answer questions and support student education. Many students are provided the opportunity to work alongside faculty in various research scenarios or through different organized groups on campus. Faculty advisors are appointed to each club or society, allowing students to connect with them in environments other than a classroom. Professors are also encouraged to head their own research studies, while simultaneously teaching courses. It keeps them up-to-date with the latest information in technology and research. Also, many programs on campus advise students to seek education or internships abroad. CSU hopes that sending students overseas will increase their scope of the world and provide them with new ideas and ways of thinking. It is a great entrepreneurial tool that teaches independence and self-motivation, making students more successful. Faculty are involved throughout the entire process, and they conduct extensive research on education programs around the world to ensure students at CSU are receiving the best education possible.

Actively supporting the university technology transfer function

There are numerous organizations and systems in place at this institution that aid students by providing information, funding, and support. When related to incubating or bootcamp type offerings, CSU has developed several different showcases that support and appreciate student work. One is the Graduate Student Showcase, and the other is the Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity Showcase (CURC). Both offer opportunities for current students to display a variety of projects or assignments they have completed in school. These newer events provide a chance to have student work seen and critiqued by the campus community. For students seeking more than reviews for their work, there are several great funding systems at CSU. The Research Acceleration Office offers many outlets for students to apply for grants to conduct research projects. Students submit proposals that are reviewed by faculty and administration, and the proposals are deemed as worthy or unworthy ventures for the school. A less formal approach available to students is using RamFunder. It functions similarly to GoFundMe.com, in that anyone can request financial assistance for any academic-related research or project they wish to investigate further. Many students and faculty members donate to this site, allowing individuals to bring their ideas to fruition. As far as technology assistance at the institution is concerned, there are several departments where students can receive assistance and gather more information. Once they decide they have new and innovative concepts they wish to explore, a great place to visit is the Technology Transfer Office, which is under the umbrella of the campus Research Foundation. Here, the staff works to protect and manage the intellectual property of the university and its students. It also acts as a liaison with the community, connecting students to local businesses and opportunities that can further their innovative ideas or research. Another program that offers industry connections is the Office of Engagement; it works to connect different communities both on and off campus through different collaboration and leadership events. Built in to the curriculum of CSU are a number of innovative strategies that students can utilize without needing a proposal or idea. A great example of this is a course offered in grant writing. It is taught online and gives students the chance to gain a knowledge and understanding of what information and tools they need to create a grant for future endeavors they may pursue. On a larger scale, a minor is offered in legal studies, which benefits individuals wanting to understand the legality of entrepreneurship, such as business ownership, protecting intellectual property, and patents.

Facilitating university-industry collaboration: The "Spin Out" section of your Landscape Canvas relates to research centers, industrial parks and industry/mentor networks and will give you a sense of whether the University is "Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration."

Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts: The "Spin Out" section of your Landscape Canvas also reveals the extent to which the University is engaging with regional and local economic development efforts. Many campuses also have an economic development office and staff whose responsibility it is to leverage the University's research and development for positive local economic benefit.

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