School:Clark Atlanta University

Overview

     Clark Atlanta University is a comprehensive, private, urban, coeducational institution of higher education with a predominantly African-American heritage. It offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees as well as certificate programs to students of diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The University was established in 1988 through the consolidation of its two parent institutions, Atlanta University (1865), the nation's first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans, and Clark College (1869) the nation's first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African-American student population.  

       

Promoting Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship

       2.1 Courses

There are a number of courses offered to undergraduate and graduate students that promote entrepreneurship on campus.

CBUS 380 - Entrepreneurial Thinking

CBUS 381 - Financing Entrepreneurial Ventures

CBUS 382 - Marketing the Entrepreneurial Venture

CBUS 481 - Entrepreneurial Practicum

CBUS 482 Business Law for Entrepreneurs

CBUS 484 Small Business Management

  2.2  Events

Lead Week - I is an annual event sponsored by the School of Busniess which raises awareness in the areas of entreprenuership, finance, marketing, social media, mass media, innovation and alumni affairs.

Capstone Projects- Are an integral part of the schools commitment to supoorting project based learning. There are a number of capstone projects predominantly in the Arts & Sciences department.

Speaker Series-  a few workshops and speakers that promote enrtreprenuership. There is a freshman success speaker series along with a case competition workshop that took place this year. In my opinion this is aqn area that the university can improve on. It would take very little effort to increase the number of events and workshops on campus.

Clark Atlanta University Strategic Plan 2015

Clark Atlanta University has several hidden gems within the institution and across disciplines that support, enhance and promote innovation and entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, the information about these “gems” are not communicated to students, departments, and staff. Thus leaving these gems underutilized.

1. Increasing awareness of the Innolab which will result in increased participation and utilization of the center and cultivating and environment of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

1.1 Develop a marketing plan that promotes the use of the Innovation Center among internal and external stakeholders.

1.2 Capitalize on the Media outlets that are currently at CAU’s disposal to brand the Innovation Center; such as the Atlanta University Center Digest (newspaper), The Panther (newspaper), CAU’s Award Winning Jazz Radio Station, and all the social media platforms that are already established by CAU.

1.3 Develop an I&E annual campaign specifically targeted to alumni, asking for their support and resources to include time, and talent.

1.4 Conduct Informational sessions for the professors within each department that outline our purpose, mission, and how to effectively utilize the InnoLab, and promote the use among their students. For the long term make the informational sessions publicity sessions.

2. Develop Community partnerships

2.1 Establish partnerships with businesses to support innovation and creativity on campus.

2.2. Create a quarterly “Challenge Drop” where local business would drop off a problem/concern that they are currently facing and have the students submit creative, innovative, solutions that could possibly lead to entrepreneurial opportunities for the students.

2.3. Develop an Advisory Board and have Corporations strategically advise the center.

2.4 Invite companies and entrepreneurs to lecture and conduct presentations related to Creativity, and I&E ultimately establishing a lecture series.

3. Establish Innovation fellows advisory committee for CAU

3.1 Select a combination of Faculty, Staff, Students and Administrators whose responsibility is to bridge the gap between the transition of old fellows and new incoming fellow and continue/support the momentum of what the previous UIF students have initiated.

3.2 Advisory Committee will be responsible for preserving the long term strategic plan developed by the UIF and landscape.

3.3 Support creative problem solving/provide practical experience from corporation Sponsorships for intellectual property

3.4  The advisory committee should be voted on and approved by students, on an annual basis.

3.5  The committee should consist of faculty, entreprenuers, educators and current or past UIF members.

4. I&E Events on Campus

4.1 Lean Startup April-May (per semester)

4.2  Launch a hack-a-thon for students and invite local Universities (annually)

4.3  Shark Tank event with alumni judges (annually)

4.4  MBA disciplined workshops for non-business students (twice a semester)

4.5  Tedx event at CAU (annual event)

Related Links:

Clark Atlanta University Student Strategies