Resource:How to engage students on a small campus

INTRODUCTION

This how-to guide is based off an interview with Daricia Wilkinson and Ykeshia Zamore, from the University of the Virgin Islands, who founded a student organization that focused on interdisciplinary collaboration. Inspiring innovation and entrepreneurship in a student body can be difficult, but the problems are abundantly clear when on a small campus. With a small student body, usually a spirit of camaraderie and excitement can be harder to find, with the idea of school spirit nearly non existent. This is not to say however that it is impossible, just more difficult, to engage students on smaller campuses.

Major Components to Involve

1.      Administration because they set the vision for the college/university. Administration is the key because they can give you funding and opportunities.

Example: A lot of effort into organizing Hackathon. The President was so impressed, that he decided to fund the innovation center.
2.      Faculty because they know the students. They know what motivates them and what they need.

Example: They can be really encouraging and advocating for students. They can also impact the Administration.

3.      Students. They are the ones you are trying to motivate. In a smaller school the community is more close nich and like a family. With that in mind Face-to-Face personal interaction is you first and best option. With the size being smaller you can be more personal and with being more personal the community engagement will soar.  Misconceptions are need to be broken. Example would be “entrepreneurship is only for business students”. Also you will need to address the core of the problem – why don’t students want to get involved? Reason can include class schedule, or lack of awareness.