Overview

Susquehanna University is a small liberal arts University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. Susquehanna's motto is to achieve, lead and serve. Susquehanna also allows students to take a step forward, and enter new conversations through our various clubs and organizations as well as through our Global Opportunities Program, which connects students with the world and its various cultures. While there are some opportunities for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, such as the newly implemented Entrepreneurship minor, the school can still improve in many areas. We live in a changing world full of opportunities. Entrepreneurship and Innovation should not be limited to business students, all students should have the opportunity to explore Innovation and entrepreneurship.

One of the biggest challenges that Susquehanna faces is the lack of collaboration between majors. Students usually feel limited by their departments and associate Entrepreneurship with the business school. The main objective of the Leadership Circle is to implement more I&E programs on campus and promote departmental collaboration.

Spring 2015 Pitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6fupPb51eI

Fall 2016 Pitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhbBjd26XYA

Student Priorities

Strategy one: Drive innovative momentum

Raise awareness about innovation and entrepreneurship, and ideas on campus

Inspire and promote interdisciplinary collaboration through innovative events
- TEDx Susquehanna: Spring 2017 or Fall 2018
- Pitch Contest: Spring 2018
Initiate PR campaign in order to involve students in University Innovation Fellows (UIF), innovation on campus and event planning for TEDx and Pitch Contest by November 2017
- Focus on entrepreneurship as an interdisciplinary subject
- Grow exposure of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation minor across campus
Develop continuity plan to have funding established in advance for every semester of UIF to eliminate gaps in fellow classes and create stability and sustainability by December 2017
Identify sources of funding available to students, faculty and staff
- Option for funding for students working with faculty or staff mentors on innovation projects
- Create document of all available funds by January 2017
- Publicize fund including application and award process
- Establish separate pots of funding for students, faculty and staff

Strategy Two: develop makerspace/Center for Design, Innovation, Creativity and entrepreneurship

Create a physical center for collaboration and innovation at Susquehanna

Discover exact student needs for components of the space
Evaluate potential spaces
- Create space where the local community may have access
- Find funding and designate space by May 2017
Utilize as a creative, DIY space where students can gather to create, invent and learn
- Often includes 3D printers, software, electronics, craft and hardware supplies and tools
Host pop-up classes regarding lean startup, design thinking and more
- Pop-up class highlighting previous successes regarding innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and what made them successful
- “Speed-dating” session between staff, faculty, students and local businesses
Involve community in the makerspace to collaborate and discover what problems locals need solved
Bring industries to campus in order to understand current problems
- Identify needs in our region/county/town and collaborate with local partners to innovate
- Engage local businesses to help students see innovation as a process and not necessarily just technology/product based
- Assist nonprofits with communication documents
  - Partner with Johnson Center for Civic Engagement and Greek Life to increase service opportunities in this realm

Strategy Three: strengthen and grow Experiential learning opportunities

Integrate experiential learning into existing curriculum for all students
- Establish at least one experiential course in every academic department
Partner with Political Science department and interested students, faculty and staff to leverage our role as a large Snyder County employer in order to promote pro-innovation policies in Harrisburg
Increase student involvement in long-term research (projects lasting at least two semesters)
Collaborate with the Center for Teaching and Learning
Strengthen and expand on offerings and aspects of Susquehanna’s Global Opportunities/Cross Cultural Study Abroad Requirement
- Create mechanism for students studying abroad to contribute to recruiting international students: short-term or degree-seeking
- Establish template for returning GO students who are now inspired to engage with world-wide service or community engagement: “plug and play” into local community
  - Additionally, establish template for departing GO students to proactively research volunteer opportunities they will have while abroad/research nonprofits in the area
Establish a “life-entrepreneurship” type program for first year and sophomore students based on: who am I, where am I going, and how do I get there?
- Focus on values – how to best incorporate values into career path and goals
- Create and sustain a culture of self-efficacy and self-governance, particularly in the residence halls
Involve students in applied research
- Create an innovative Global Opportunities (GO) Short program tied to a faculty’s research, involving continuous research before and after the trip
- Begin with identifying a problem, then return to solve the problem, and later implement innovative idea abroad

Strategy Four: implement Innovative mental and physical Health Strategies

Bring movement to students: install walking desks on campus (treadmill with desk attached, enabling students to exercise and study simultaneously)
- Start with a few in the library and/or makerspace (at least two walking desks by February 2017), eventually have more in academic buildings
Increase student input regarding dining/cuisine options through easier feedback mechanism
Partner with Aramark to increase culinary education events on campus
- Opportunities for students to learn how to cook
Launch color system at dining locations: red, yellow, green for healthiness level of food options to give perspective of ratio of healthy to unhealthy options and encourage healthy behavior

Priorities:Susquehanna University Student Priorities

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