Priorities:University of Scranton Student Priorities
Contents
Overview
The University of Scranton has dedicated its past few years to building a foundational entrepreneurial culture on campus. The University's Entrepreneurship Department has paved the way for innovative and entrepreneurial events on campus and along with a dedicated staff, provide a strong application of hands-on learning techniques for the students. There are still some gaps that can be found in the University's ecosystem. The first gap is found between the Entrepreneurial and Innovative courses, both undergraduate and graduate levels, where there seems to be a lack of continuity. The second gap is the lack of creative space for students to design and enhance their products and ideas. The third gap comes back to spreading this innovative culture around campus, where some students seem to get the message and others do not. Solving these three gaps will not only strengthen the University of Scranton name, but also provide a better learning environment for students to get involved with entrepreneurship and innovation.
Calling all Students
This is an information session about the expansion of the innovation and entrepreneurship culture at the University of Scranton
- Where: Kania School of Management Room 201
- When: February 28th at 2pm
Strategy #1: Revamp of Core Innovation Courses
The following are tactical plans to address Gap #1 over a two to three year period of time:
Tactic #1: Addition of Graduate Level Entrepreneurship Courses
- Description: While the University of Scranton has focused the last couple years on developing a foundation of undergraduate entrepreneurship courses, the University has neglected to begin developing a graduate program in the field of study. By creating a secondary level of courses in Entrepreneurship, students can further their knowledge in the field of study and gain vital inside information on the entrepreneurial mindset and how innovation is changing the world around us.
- Team leader: TBD/ Faculty of Kania School of Management
- Milestones:
- June- August 2015: Establish course outlines/descriptions and create proposal to the Dean
- December 2015: Schedule courses to be offered starting Spring Semester of 2016
- January 2016: Have at least 10 students involved in the graduate program
Tactic #2: Creating More Sections of Undergraduate Courses
- Description: Currently at the University of Scranton, entrepreneurship courses are only taken by students who are enrolled in either the entrepreneurship major or minor. This allows for smaller class sizes and more focus on the students getting hands-on experience. By creating more sections of these courses, the class sizes can still be regulated and kept under twenty students, but also allow for students who have interest in entrepreneurship to take these courses.
- Team Leader: Chris LoGiurato/ KSOM faculty
- Milestones:
- August 2015: Submit proposal to the Dean for creating new sections
- February 2015: Implement these course sections for the Spring semester of 2016
Tactic #3: Bring Back Freshman Seminars
- Description: In the Fall semester of 2012, all incoming Freshman were required to take a Freshman seminar course. Entrepreneurship was offered as a part of these freshman seminar courses, but recently, these seminars were stopped. Incorporating an innovative class such as sustainability or design thinking would provide business students with a fun and educational way to learn.
- Team Leader: TBD
- Milestones:
- Propose idea to Department director and Dean
- Weave into the curriculum for either the Fall semester of 2015 or Falls semester of 2016
Strategy #2: Creation of Innovation Incubator Space
The following are tactical plans to address Gap #2 over a one to two year period of time:
Tactic #1: Purchasing off Campus Space
- Description: At The University of Scranton, there is an ever-growing culture in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation, especially within the field of sustainability. However, a lot of the students feel like there are not many spaces where ideas can be grown and developed. The town of Scranton, Pennsylvania has down a good job establishing spaces for incubator spaces and innovation, such as the TekRidge Center, located two miles from the University.
- Team Leader: Chris LoGiurato
- Milestones:
- February 2015: Contact several locations about incubator space
- February- March 2015: Submit proposal to Entrepreneurship department to fund incubator space
- March - May 2015: Visit locations and decide on most affordable/best space available
- June - August 2015: Set up incubation space- put 3D printers in the space
Tactic #2: Finding On Campus Space
- Description: This may be the most reasonable tactic for creating an incubator space at the University of Scranton. Although space may not be a luxury that the University has, there are plenty of already established spaces that can be used for innovation. The Wayne House, is a university owned house that the entrepreneurship department can use for various activities. One of the rooms on the upper levels could be turned into an incubation space with the addition of whiteboards and other various tools.
- Team Leader: TBD
- Milestones:
- February 2015: Talk to entrepreneurship department about using Wayne House
Strategy #3: Growing the Entrepreneurial and Innovative Culture
The following are tactical plans to address Gap #3 over a one to two year period of time
Tactic #1: Start-up Weekend at the University
- Description: The entrepreneurial culture in Scranton has developed years ahead of most other Northeastern Pennslyvania schools. However, the University relies too much on other companies for startup weekends and workshops. By creating a startup weekend sponsored by the University of Scranton, students will have a place to create, refine, and compete using their product ideas or services. Moreover, a startup weekend brings similar entrepreneurs together to share and develop the university culture.
- Team Leader: TBD
- Milestones:
- February-May 2015: Interview and talk to professors and students about participation in startup weekend
- May- August 2015: Propose idea to Dean and Provost
- August 2015: Talk to Business club and Entrepreneurship club about attending/participating in startup weekend
- October 2015 and March 2016: Host bi annual startup weekend through the Kania School of Management
Tactic #2: International Sustainability and Innovation Competition
- Description: The Jesuit values of giving back to the community has deep ties with the University of Scranton and the students. Many students travel abroad in rural areas with the International Service Program and have a desire to give back to the communities they visit. By hosting an international sustainability and innovation competition, sutdents can design products that they feel can give back to certain international communities.
- Team Leader: Chris LoGiurato
- Milestones:
- Speak to International Service Program Director
- Find a way to incorporate competition as a requirement of the International Service Program
- Advertise and generate interest in the competition
- Shoot for a date later in the semester to host the competition
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