Resource:How to Leverage the Local Research Park to Serve Undergraduate Students

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Category: How to Leverage the Local Research Park to Serve Undergraduate Students


Overview:

Across many university campuses research parks (centers) exist to promote technology commercialization, innovation and public-private partnerships. These technology-led economic programs have a long history of encouraging new company development.  This document seeks to help Fellows leverage research park capabilities with student interests, in order to build community of innovation on their campuses.


Pinpoint the Needs of the Campus:

Before moving into the solution phase of anything, it is critical have a comprehensive understanding of what is most needed.  The best way is to be familiar with your campuses offerings (use the landscape canvass), and get out and talk to the student body. This critical stage helps reform basic assumptions about student entrepreneurship, and will help your university identify a solution. Many times student interests/desires align with other university initiatives so be sure to understand how to best utilize your research parks expertise.


Several identified student needs are listed below, based on experience at SIU Carbondale:

  • General Advice (how to get started with forming a business)
  • General Guidance (how to keep on track and build a company)
  • Office Space
  • Business Advice (management advice)
  • Funding Options


Identify the Strengths of the Research Park:

Be precise and don't try to do everything at once. Many research areas have focuses that are associated with economic development, be familiar with such projects.

Identify Obstacles Preventing the Research Park from Being Widely Used:

In the cases of both SIU Carbondale and New Mexico State University the affiliated research parks are located away from the main campus making it difficult for students to access the research park facilities.

  • Distance and location
    • Explore setting up micro-incubators across campus (target high traffic areas)
  • Transportation
    • Verify that there is available public transport, or that there is open parking in the vicinity.
  • People don’t know there are resources available
    • When people don't know about something you have to go to where they are and spread the word. Areas with high students numbers include move-in days as well as sporting events.  
  • Signage
    • Make sure that marketing flyers, banners and branding is exciting and speaks to your student body.


Spread the Word:

The only way to attract students is to go to where the students are. The most effective ways to increase student involvement is through face-to-face meetings and encounters. Activities and initiatives bring about the most positive change when people feel a part of the bigger community, be inviting to different ideas and perspectives.

  • Bring together a multidisciplinary student body (student advisory group) that can relate with different students.
  • Get involved in the local community
  • Student orientation
  • Host events
    • Kickoff dinner
    • Semester orientation
    • Research Party
      • Concert
      • Games and contests
      • Participate in student activities
    • Club awareness and workshops
    • Tailgaiting

          

Comprehensive Student Solutions:

  • Student intake forms
  •  One-on-one meetings
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