Priorities:NMSU Strategic Priorities

Overview

New Mexico State University (NMSU) at Las Cruces is the second largest university in the state of New Mexico, and currently has more than 19,000 students. NMSU currently has a vision: The expansion of its entrepreneuship and innovation activities on campus. Therefore, NMSU, as of Spring 2014, contacted the University Innovation Fellowship Program for the sole purpose of training students on matters related to the I&E ecosystem. 

Top Strategies for the Expansion of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Bi-Monthly Workshops

The implementation of workshops related to innovation and entrepreneurship is one of the greatest key ideas for getting the students involved in these matters. As of today, many workshops are held on the Aggie Innovation Space, although more promotion for these events should be given, as well as a higher level of hands-on experience, probably by bringing in people who have specialized in these topics.

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NMSU is hosting a 3 Day Startup (3DS) starting Sunday, April 13, 2014. This will definitely pull in students interested in developing ideas, and put them to work by making them participate in online-based workshops. By having at least a bi-monthly event like this, a high number of students would be exposed to the intent of this strategic plan.

Required courses on entrepreneurship and innovation that allows the student to develop hands-on experience 

Currently, there are no specific courses targeting students who may be interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. There are courses related to some kind of business entrepreneurship, but they are merely theoretical and lack hands-on experience.

By requiring all students, or at least students of some majors (for seeing how it actually works), to take at least 2 or 3 entrepreneurship courses with a higher level of difficulty, they could learn how to set their ideas into the ground. I would also suggest that students who are taking these classes should be required to form part of an Entrepreneuship & Innovation Student Organization and come up with a team project by the end of one of their courses.

Expansion of the current Aggie Innovation Space and creation of more Innovation Spaces

The University has taken the first steps in launching an Innovation Space at the NMSU College of Engineering, but more input on this space is needed, as well as more spaces like this on campus.

Seeking future funding for Innovation Spaces like these, and making them more technologically up-to-date is a vital action.

Think and Act BIG!

-Organizing local TEDx events

-Bringing recognized speakers to the school

-Getting funding for Innovation Spaces from partnered companies

Student and Faculty Coordination

A partnership between the I&E Student Organization and faculty spaces, such as the Arrowhead Center, for working out some of the possible strategic plans (such as bi-monthly workshops) would help events and workshops be of greater quality, and would definitely attract more students.

Coordination among students and faculty would allow I&E to be a bigger deal on campus, since both groups could place greater value on these matters.

Networking with other Universities

Networking is the single most powerful tool and marketing strategy to accelerate and sustain success for any individual or organization. By working with fellow universities to implement and work on ideas together would allow them become feasible, and not let them remain mere plans.

Getting advice from and providing advice to others can make projects be of a greater value than just sticking to your own ideas. As they say, two heads are better than one.

Related Links

Mauricio Garcia

New Mexico State University