Project Name: Community Engagement and Economic Development Studio

Project by Faculty Innovation Fellows Candidate Christoph Winkler

Why is this project important to you, your department, & your Fellows?

The project is an important element of the mission and vision of Iona University and the Hynes Institute

Description

Iona University identified Partnerships and Community Engagement as one of its key strategic areas. In support of these strategic priorities, the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation has embarked on a series of pilot programs and identified its community incubator space, “GaelVentures” to house these pilot programs (e.g. in spring 2022 Iona students partnered with the Business Council of Westchester and the City of Mount Vernon to engaged in a design project to better help Minority and Women-Owned businesses in the City of Mount Vernon to secure government contracts). These programs are designed to get Iona students actively engaged in design projects that are aimed at creating positive societal and economic impact in our surrounding communities. Building on the initial successes, this project will allow Iona University to develop a novel approach to experiential learning that engages Iona students and faculty in creative problem-solving that positively impact our local communities and businesses.

Stakeholders served

Iona Students
Iona Faculty
Local and Regional Business, Organizations and communities

Key Milestones

December 2022: Identify key stakeholders (on/off campus)
March 2023: Develop a prototype for a sustainable model for the design studio
June 2023: Present the design studio prototype to key stakeholders on campus
September 2023: Launch faculty fellowship program to prototype program ideas (modified version of Hyens Faculty Fellowship Program)
December 2023: Implement at least two new programs in the design studio
March 2024: Present progress/outcomes to key stakeholder

An Innovation Portfolio

Curricula, community partner agreements, fellowship structure and support

Project Name: Missing Entrepreneurial Mindset Building Blocks

Project by Faculty Innovation Fellows Candidate Lendynette Pacheco-Jorge

Why is this project important to you, your department, & your Fellows?

This program important for the overall success of the Hynes Institute as well help us better engage and retain students as they develop an agency to use the knowledge and experiences acquired to design their futures.

Description

As the Hynes Institute is in its 7th year of operation, the program is growing and establishing systems to better support our students is essential for our success. The program I envision would be the 3rd layer of support for students. Currently we have robust curricular and co-curricular programming that students across the university are able to participate in but in my observation, students lack agency to follow through and apply the knowledge and experience gained to pursue their envisioned career path.

What’s the Problem We Are Solving For?

Students are not seamlessly engaged in co-curricular programming and opportunities outside of the classroom
Students are struggling to follow-through on business creation programs
Students lack professionalism to network, interview, and seek out professional opportunities post-University graduation
Not enough University departments are aware of how Hynes benefits/provides value-add to students of all academic backgrounds

Project Goals:

Help more students across the university to develop an entrepreneurial mindset
Create more enthusiasm for innovation and entrepreneurship
Demonstrate how entrepreneurial mindset is connected to excelling professionally
Help students to develop professional thinking and communications skills (including writing, speaking, interviewing, networking)
Linking entrepreneurial thinking to professional opportunities
Helping students to develop their “brand of you”

Manifestation of 3rd Layer - Badge system where students engage in additional “activities” to gain a series of additional skill sets not currently being actively taught on campus.

Self-awareness/purpose
Goal setting
Strategic thinking/problem solving
Advocacy
Communication

Stakeholders served

Iona Student – specifically entrepreneurship students

Key Milestones

December 2023: Survey entrepreneurship students to better understand the missing piece
March 2024: Identify key student to engage in an advisory board.
June 2024: Develop a pilot program and get buy in
September 2024: Launch the pilot program
December 2024: Assess the pilot program
March 2025: Address potential pitfalls of the program