Resource:How to redesign student organization funding access in order to promote student led development

Introduction:

Recently I was lucky enough to interview and gain knowledge from Daniel Kleinman, Spring 2015 Cohort Fellow, about his experience with the University Innovation Fellows program and gain more insight about pushing through roadblocks to accomplish his goals while attending the University of Florida. Daniel’s project pitch focused on creating opportunities for other students to incorporate entrepreneurship with innovation in each of their respective fields. The problem at UF was lack of funding for student organizations that would allow the initiatives these interdisciplinary students created to become a reality, so Daniel proposed a way to redesign student organization funding.

Budget Research:

Finding a budget is always hard, even determining how much to charge for things such as sponsorship and what a sponsor can get out of the experience. Daniel suggested doing research on other programs at other schools that have programs where sponsorship is an option. At my school, James Madison University, we hold “Bluestone Hacks” which is a program which offer sponsorship at different levels in order to promote their companies in the industry and beyond. 

Identification:

When identifying potential funders Daniel took to the university which did not seem to offer much for the organization. After being unsuccessful in receiving funds from UF, he brainstormed who would benefit the most from contributing to a group of young, bright college students who wanted to innovate their perspective fields. This brainstorming lead to the proposal of incorporating both UF Alumni and Industry companies in sponsorship of their program. 

Support and Connection:

After the initial interest of alumni and companies in the industry it provided a lot of opportunity, with success, in the future to bring more alumni and more companies from various industries to see what the students could have to offer. Most universities have a plethora of alumni that would be more than willing to help a current student of their alma mater, so finding and networking through these endless connections can be very helpful and lead you farther than you may think. 

Lessons Learned:

From my interview with Daniel I gained a lot of perspective about not only the University Innovation Fellows Program but also how to persevere even in the times that you don’t feel like you will achieve your goal. For this issue try and reach out to professors and faculty that support you for guidance and support, the network they have can be a lot larger than you may think. Find alumni and show them your passion in the school and what you are trying to achieve and accomplish. Provide companies, whether local or large scale, something that cannot deny and show them how your organization can benefit them. As for getting students behind the cause, find those who share similar passions and show them how they can grow and benefit from what you're doing. 

Shoot for the stars and don’t let anyone bring you down.